Captain Name: Michael Gooding
Captain Nationality: Australian
Number of Crew: 8
Name: Michael Gooding
Position: Captain
Nationality: Australian
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: M/Y KERI LEE, M/Y KERI LEE III, M/Y SILENTWORLD II
MICHAEL HAS CRUISED: South Pacific (extensively!), East and North Coast Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand. Atlantic Ocean & Indian Ocean, Carribean, Mediterranean.
“There is no place like the Pacific. With Australia in the West and Tahiti in the East, the possibilities of remote locations with abundance of marine life and cultural adventures epitomises encounters of excellence. Being in the ocean provides a natural therapy for the soul”.
Michael hails from the Sunshine Coast in Australia and has come from a vast array of superyachts and management experience. Prior to SILENTWORLD he was Captain onboard the vessel SILENT WORLD II among others and built a reputation of bringing excellence to the experience you have onboard. Michael has been with his Owners for 7 years now, and previously was also employed by 5-star island resort Hayman Island as the Marine Manager.
He has combined these assets to focus on bringing a sense of team spirit on board. Michael considers these are key components to provide guests with an experience that exceeds expectations. One of Michael’s favourite memories was around Vanuatu: diving in remote locations, and sailing past volcanic islands with Lava flowing into the water (a truly humbling experience). French Polynesia has since stolen his sailor’s heart since, with its combination of welcoming embrace, natural beauty and mana (spirit). Such incredible locations offer the capacity to create an emotional connection between his guest’s vacation and the cultural and physical identity of the region.
Michael loves creating itineraries for guests, taking them to areas that will leave memories for a lifetime, and he encourages his crew to do the same. “Providing experiences beyond expectations in a marine environment is what I have found as a calling and bringing that to fruition is the reward”.
When he is not on board SILENTWORLD, Michael’s hobbies include running (he has competed in triathlons), riding his bike, swimming, he has great photography skills with his underwater camera, and is a Dive Master. Michael embraces new technology and has recently found a new passion with his drone, creating incredible videos of SILENTWORLD’s life on board.
Name: Vaitu Kervella
Position: First Officer
Nationality: French
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: M/Y ASKARI, M/Y COSMOS, M/Y PARTY GIRL
ALSO: Passenger ferries between Tahiti and Moorea; Seafarer on a cruiseship around French Polynesia
VAITU HAS CRUISED: French Polynesia extensively (Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas Islands), Tonga, New Caledonia, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Europe
Growing up in French Polynesia, Vaitu entered the yachting industry in 2017 after some experience as a seaman on passenger vessels and cruisehips.
A young and dynamic crew member, he is passionate about the ocean and anything outdoors. Fishing, surfing, stand up paddling or hiking are his greatest hobbies, and there is no need to say that Tahiti offers plenty of opportunities to explore.
Vaitu looks forward to spreading his love for the Polynesian archipelagos and culture with the guests on board SILENTWORLD.
Name: Danny Round
Position: Chef
Nationality: New Zealander
Description:
INFLUENCES / INSPIRATION: Vegetarian and Vegan cookery, Advanced Baking and Pastry Techniques, Nutritional menus, Kosher
RESTAURANTS: Michelin-star Charlie Trotters (Chicago, USA), Hotel du Rissiou, Vaujany (FR), Botswana Butchery (NZ), Mudbrick (NZ Apprenticeship)
PREVIOUS YACHTS: Charter: S/Y SEAQUELL, S/Y MONDANGO, S/Y SILENCIO; Private: M/Y COMO, S/Y ROSEHEARTY, M/Y LEGACY
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SAMPLE MENUS: On request please enquire!
One could say Danny has already lived several lives – or is living more than one. With only a little more than thirty years on Planet Earth, this young Chef has built up to being a recognised talent on worldwide superyachts and joins SILENTWORLD in 2019 in Tahiti. Born and raised on Waiheke Island in New Zealand, it is no surprise that Danny’s love for the sea and art of cuisine ignited his sense of travel on luxury yachts since 2010: the South Pacific, in Papua New Guinea and most recently Tonga, in Australia, and around the Mediterranean and Caribbean taking guests on many gustative journeys.
His first superyacht and sole Chef position was on board no less than 42m M/Y COMO, and he grew into the industry over 9 years, even consulting for new build projects (whilst on board S/Y MONDANGO) and adding many valuable strings to his bow. Danny has gained extensive experience with vegan and vegetarian cuisine for special diets, sharpened his skills in kosher cuisine whilst sailing in regattas around the Caribbean, and most recently visited Tokyo (Japan) to study the traditional art of Sushi preparationand learn to use and maintain a single bladed Japanese knife set.
When not on board, well Danny is… sailing with his own 43ft yacht ROCKSTAR (they circumnavigated in 2018), kitesurfing, diving (PADI Open Water), freediving, surfing and wakeboarding, or snowboarding.
His favourite cruising paradises are French Polynesia and the Marshall Islands.
Name: Casey Barnes
Position: Chief Stewardess
Nationality: Canadian / British
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: M/Y KOMOKWA, M/Y DAYDREAM, M/Y LEGACY, M/Y WHITE CLOUD, S/Y MATAU
CASEY HAS CRUISED: The Mediterannean, Sweden, Norway
South Pacific: Fiji, New Zealand
Caribbean, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Baja Sur, Mexico
Canada’s British Columbia, BVIs, Bermuda, Connecticut
Positive and energetic, Casey brings her Canadian sense of humour to the team on board SILENTWORLD. Not only trained in the superyacht skills, she also has Helicopter Operations knowledge, Nanny experience (3 years) and has worked as a Children’s Dance Instructor.
Joining the yachting industry in 2012, Casey has extensively cruised through some unusual locations and completed several Atlantic crossings. She has participated in several Monaco and Antigua Yacht Shows (winning the 2012 table setting competition!), has experienced the thrilling sensation of navigating through fjords. She continually strives to be creative for her guests through table settings, special cocktails, or new games for children on board.
Her favourite experiences so far? Hiking Preikestolen in Norway, and going searching for the Kermode ‘Spirit Bear’ in Northern Canada… ask her more!
When not on duty, Casey loves dancing; she indeeds goes in search of a ballet studio ine very country she visits and takes a class in any possible language! Diving, hiking, reading, learning about new cultures by meeting them or listening to different styles of music are a few of her favourite things.
Name: Kirstie Kelley
Position: 2nd Stewardess
Nationality: French Polynesian / American
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: SY EOS, MY ROMA, MY APOGEE, MY RELENTLESS, MY ULYSSES, MY GOLDEN SHADOW, SY ETHEREAL, MY SENSES
KIRSTIE HAS CRUISED: Tahiti and its Islands, New Zealand.
Kirstie’ creativity completes Casey’s to create beautiful harmony on board SILENTWORLD. The youngest member on board, Kristie was born and raised in the incredible surroundings of French Polynesia and she looks forward to counting stories of her country to guests on board.
After working with the tourism board in Moorea, and developing a great knowledge of the local operators, Kristie boarded her first superyacht being no less than the 59m SENSES in 2012. Whilst on board ULYSSES for 6 months, she was also employed to work at the Owners’ Estates in New Zealand. Her first role as Chief Stewardess on board RELENTLESS in 2014 provided her with real love and passion to create customised environments for guests and owners alike. She has since taken on more responsibility on larger yachts and joins SILENTWORLD with local knowledge and key attention to detail.
Name: Ruby Perry
Position: Deckhand
Nationality: French Polynesian
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: MY SILENTWORLD, MY DRAGONFLY, MY BELLE AIMEE, SY SARISSA
RUBY HAS CRUISED: Tahiti and its Islands.
Ruby will join SILENTWORLD once she arrives in Tahiti A young lady, she dipped her toes in the yachting industry in 2013 and has grown a desire to build her career in and around the beautiful pristine ocean she calls home.
Born in Tahiti, Ruby is always eager and enthusiastic to share stories of her homeland with the Crew and Guests during the incredible journey they are experiencing on board.
Some of her hobbies include wakeboarding, surfing, fishing, jetskiing, running, hiking and – not in the Polynesian slopes – snowboarding.
Ruby speaks French and English.
Name: Jenny Siao
Position: 3rd Stewardess
Nationality: French Polynesian
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: M/Y SILENTWORLD, M/Y ISLAND PASSAGE (138 feet); RAIATEA (Lagoon 380), Tahiti Yachts Charter; DHALILA and VEHIA (42ft catamarans), Tahiti Voile et Lagon
Day Work : M/Y ANGIAMO, M/Y EILEEN, M/Y VIVIERAE, M/Y SEANNA
JENNY HAS CRUISED: Tahiti and her Islands extensively
A cheerful woman, Jenny is a native French Polynesian and is delighted to join the team on board SILENTWORLD once again this season, sharing her wide experience of her home-islands.
Passionate about cooking and food in general, Jenny’s other unique skills include sailing and a particular interest for environment protection. She is also a natural child-carer.
Name: Daniel Shrives
Position: Chief Engineer
Nationality: New Zealander
Description:
PREVIOUS YACHTS: MY HELIOS, MY DAYDREAM, MY KOMOKWA.
DAN HAS CRUISED: Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean, Bahamas, Sea of Cortez, West Coast America, Canada’s North West, Pacific Islands and South Pacific.
Let’s introduce Dan by mentioning his favourite experiences: from diving with tiger sharks in the Exumas (!) to travelling past the silent fjords of Norway, with their towering mountains and powerful waterfalls.
He joins SILENTWORLD in Sydney ahead of an exciting voyage through the South Pacific. “The crew are more of a family than work colleagues on SILENTWORLD, making it by far the ultimate key to a successful yacht.”
Dan grew up on the West Coast of New Zealand, and also speaks Swedish. Another passion of him in traditional engineer style are motorcycles (dismounting, racing and collecting them).