CHARTER YACHT Queen of Datca

Captain Name: Suat Zybek

Captain Nationality: Turkish

Number of Crew: 6

Suat Zeybek, Captain, Turkish
Suat was born in 1966 in Balikesir, Turkey. He fell in love with sailing at the age of 14 when he crossed the Mediterranean from Corsica to Turkey on a yacht. Suat became a skipper while still in high school, and continued sailing the Med during his years at
university. Suat’s career as a professional captain started on a Maltese sailing yacht. With this boat, he circumnavigated the whole Mediterranean Sea. He then spent 5.5 years in Australia sailing off the North- East Coast along the Great Barrier Reef, working as a
captain for Mega Sailing Yachts. This allowed Suat to complete his maritime studies and qualify as a MasterMariner to cross oceans.
He crossed the Atlantic seven times west- and eastwards, and the Indian Ocean three times north- and southbound. Captain Suat Zeybek’s sailing career has spanned over 30 years. In winter Suat gives private lessons in sailing, survival on the sea and celestial navigation without electronics. Suat has been Captain on Queen of Datca since 2018, and he has improved and transformed many of the boat’s systems to improve its quality and reliability.

Uğur Tombak, Engineer/Deckhand, Turkish
Ugur was born in the village of Bozburun, Turkey – home of gulets and sponge diving, and has been raised with the sea and sailing as part of everyday life. Ugur has been working as a deckhand on gulets for the last 15 years in Turkey and Greece, and the last three years in Croatia on Queen of Datca. He continues his education and has now qualified as a captain himself. Ugur has a fantastic can-do attitude and a cheerful personality, and is always happy to help with children. His hobbies include sailing, fishing and diving.

Askin Celik, Deckhand/engineer 2, Turkish
Askin was born in 1995 in Mugla, Turkey. He has dedicated his career to sea and yachts from early on, having studied at the Anatolian Maritime Vocation High School and then spealised in Renewable energy at the Mugla University. Askin is only 24 but has already qualified as a Yacht Master (500 gross tonnage), Engineer Officer (3000 Kw) and a renewable energy technician. He is a very hands-on young man. Never scared of getting his hands dirty and a true problem solver when it comes to repairing anything, he has been working at seafor seven years now. Askin’s dream is to run his own yacht one day.

Hakan Turk, Chef, Turkish
Hakan started cooking from a very young age. He is only 22 years old, but already has seven years of professional experience in various restaurants and hotels, as well as yachts. He is also a professional chef having studied in Cookery Schools in Marmaris and Datca from 2012 to 2018. The kitchen is like an endless ocean for him. Hakan is always eager to try new recipes and discover new cuisines. His happiness lies in smiling faces and satisfied bellies after each meal he puts on the table. Hakan says that you taste food with your eyes first, and then with your mouth – and you have to agree when you see how his dishes are presented. We are extremely lucky to have such a talented chef with such an enthusiasm for his art!

Belgin Dereli, Hostess, Dutch/Turkish
Our cheerful and dynamic hostess has a strong background in hospitality and tourism. She is a self-made woman who loves to work for and with people. She grew up in the Netherlands and settled in Turkey 15 years ago. Apart from native Dutch and Turkish, Bel is
completely fluent in English and German, and has some knowledge of Spanish, French and Arabic. Bel loves working outdoors, especially at sea, and in a good team. Hostess in a true sense of the word, managing all aspects of client service and running the boat, she will make our guests feel very welcome. Bel is an exceptionally interesting person to talk to – whether about culture, languages, business or her early dabbling in journalism – you will be captivated by her charming personality. Bel loves cooking, tango, sailing, singing, snowboard, travelling, hiking and reading. Her basic life motto is “treat others how you want to be treated”. Quote: “I’ve always loved the ocean. Being at sea always makes me remember how insignificant our human troubles and worries in fact are. That’s why I quit my shore based career five years ago and started working on yachts”.
Previously Bel has worked as a hostess, cook and deckhand on sailing boats and on M/Y “Reina Pol” (105ft). Our guests will appreciate her creativity and efficiency, and share in her passion for sailing and life on the sea.

Burcu Demir, Stewardess, Turkish
Burcu was born in 1989 in Izmir and has been living in her native city. She studied maps and cadastres as her undergraduate degree. Burcu started working on yachts five years ago and has worked on several VIP-level motor yachts and gulets. She knows table
service and can work as a hostess as well as a housekeeper. This is her second year on Queen of Datca. Burcu has lots of positive energy and a smiling face. She is always focused on client service and enjoys being with new people. She is looking forward to
serving our guests!