No Bad Ideas - Crewed Luxury Motor Yacht Charter

Name: Jonathan Barrett

Position: Captain
Nationality: South African
Description:
Education/Certifications: Marshall Islands 350GT Masters License / OOW 500GT; STCW 10 - PSSR, PST, Fire Fighting, First Aid; STCW 10 - Maritime Security Awareness; ENG 1 Medical Certificate; SDI/TDI Open Water Dive Certificate; USCG Bridge Resource Management (BRM); Diploma in Hotel Management
Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans, currently learning Spanish

Jonathan Barrett was born in South Africa and grew up in Durban where he spent most of his youth living aboard his parents’ sport fisher in Durban Harbor. This is where he learned how to sail, surf, skateboard, and wakeboard at a young age, and where his passion for the ocean started. Passionate about yachting since childhood, he began his professional career in the industry in 2013 as a mate and is now Captain of M/Y NO BAD IDEAS alongside his wife, Xanthea van Wyk, the Chief Stewardess. He is also working toward his 500GT Masters License at this time. Captain Jon’s pastimes include golf, playing guitar, discovering new restaurants, and surfing, especially exploring new places with secret surfing spots. Of all the destinations he’s traveled to, the natural beauty of Panama has captured his heart, and he plans to open a surfing camp there when he retires from yachting.


Name: Xanthea Danielle Van Wyk

Position: Chief Stewardess
Nationality: South African
Description:
Education/Certifications: STCW 10 - PSSR, PST, Fire Fighting, First Aid; STCW 10 - Maritime Security Awareness; ENG 1 Medical Certificate; MCA Proficiency in Medical First Aid (PMFA); RYA Powerboat Level II; Food Safety & Hygiene Training; PYT Hostess/Stewardess Course - Silver & Table Service, Flower Arrangements, Bar and Laundry; Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Languages Spoken: English, currently learning Spanish

Xanthea van Wyk was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and grew up in a small city on the North Coast Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her passion for the hospitality and tourism industry began in her youth while traveling all over Southern Africa and visiting game parks with her family. After graduating from college and meeting her husband, Captain Jonathan Barrett, she gained several years of land-based hospitality experience while managing game lodges in Namibia before transitioning into the yachting industry. In her leisure time, Xan enjoys reading, snorkeling, running, and paddle boarding. She is passionate about wildlife and loves traveling around the world to observe species in their natural habitats. Following her retirement from yachting, she plans to create a unique collection of glamping-style lodgings in Panama.


Name: Warren Carney

Position: Chef
Nationality: South African
Description:
Education/Certifications: Le Cordon Bleu Grande Diploma
Languages: English, Afrikaans

Chef Warren was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa where he spent a lot of time on their farm in his mother´s grandmother´s kitchen. He began his career as a chef in 2002 and hasn’t looked back. Chef Warren has owned his own restaurant, been a consultant to many others, has done a lot of private and villa dining, and spent 2 years in Bali as Head chef of Ku De Ta. He decided he wanted to pursue his yachting career about 7 years ago after spending 2 years on and off M/Y Lady Christine. Chef Warren is classically French trained but has experience with many other cuisines and can cater to all different palates. He can accommodate any dietary requests and will always make sure everyone is accounted for. His plating style varies to suit the occasion, but he generally likes to do more relaxed family-style lunches that keep guests and crew energized throughout the busy day. For dinners, he likes to work with the stews to incorporate themed courses. Chef Warren loves the gym, yoga, photography, Jiu-Jitsu, golfing, and surfing but his greatest passion is food and the opportunity to create amazing dishes for guests to enjoy. Chef wants all guests to feel at home but also spoiled without having to ask for too much.


Name: Cameron Green

Position: Mate
Nationality: South African
Description:
Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts in Graphic/ Web Design, Master of Yachts 200GT
Languages Spoken: English

Cameron grew up in Cape Town, South Africa with a very athletic family as both of his parents were sponsored water-skiers. Capitalizing on his athletic genes, during high school Cameron started to take stand-up paddleboarding to the next level and began competing on the local circuit. Ever since he was little, Cameron was always on the water as his family had a boat. This led him to get introduced to yachting at a young age. Cameron loves to combine his photography and videography skills with his water sports background so guests can always count on Cameron to capture some great footage. He is known for being patient and is always willing to teach anyone that is willing to learn. In Cameron’s spare time you can find him being a videographer, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, golfing, hydro-foiling, wakeboarding, surfing, snorkeling, or hiking. He hopes all guests leave NO BAD IDEAS with a record of nothing but great memories.


Name: Andria Weppenaar

Position: Second Stewardess
Nationality: South African
Education/Certifications: ENG1, Food Health and Safety II, PST, PSSR, PDSD, Fire Prevention and Fighting, Elementary First Aid, RYA Diesel Engine, RYA Powerboat II, RYA Tender Operator, RYA Radar, RYA VHF Radio, MCA Day Skipper
Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans

Andria was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2021 she started sailing weekly at the Royal Yacht Club in Cape Town and loved the experience so much she started to pursue a career in yachting, and aims to gain experience while working towards becoming a Chief Stewardess. Prior to yachting, she earned her BA Degree in Psychology and plans to utilize it by providing counseling. Andria considers herself an amateur photographer and has a collection of antique film cameras which are her pride and joy. Outside of yachting she plans on investing in real estate that she can rent or Airbnb. She enjoys Running, CrossFit training, Hiking, Camping, and Off-Roading. Andria is a wonderful asset to the team and will happily help make your stay on board one to remember. Andria will make sure your time onboard is enjoyable and she is happy to give assistance with a big smile.


Name: Maxine Parnell

Position: Third Stewardess
Nationality: South African
Description:
Education/Certifications: STCW 10 - PSSR, PST, Fire Fighting, First Aid; STCW 10 - Maritime Security Awareness; ENG 1 Medical Certificate
Languages Spoken: English

Maxine was born and raised in South Africa and is a passionate individual with a love for the outdoors, the ocean, and creative pursuits. After completing her matriculation in 2021, Maxine wasted no time in pursuing her passion for the yacht industry and joined the industry in 2022. With dedication and hard work, she acquired valuable skills and knowledge and has been paving her way towards a fulfilling career in the yachting industry.

She enjoys diving, fishing, and indulging in various water activities are some of her favorite pastimes.


Name: Niel Rossouw

Position: Rotational Engineer
Nationality: South African
Description:
Education/Certifications: Diploma in Mechanical Engineering; SV 2nd Engineer 3000GT; working toward 3000GT Chief Engineer license
Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans

Niel Rossouw was born to a winemaking family in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa, and raised on a farm in the Breede River Valley. As a child, he spent his time mountain biking, hiking, working in the wine cellar, and playing rugby at school. Farm life and working with the wine machinery sparked his passion for engineering and following high school, he moved to Cape Town to study toward his diploma in Mechanical Engineering. At the same time, he became the lead guitarist in an oldies cover band, playing weddings, pubs, festivals, and more. After working as an engineer across the continent of Africa for six years, he realized the joy he found in travel and decided a career in yachting would allow him to work while seeing more of the world. His first marine engineering assignment had him crossing the Atlantic on a sailing catamaran from Cape Town to Grenada alongside three other crew members. As much as he loves the sea, he is equally passionate about renovating and general woodwork. His goal is to complete his
Chief Engineer 3000GT license and start working on a rotational basis so he can have time on land to start doing home renovations. Playing acoustic and electric guitar is still his biggest hobby, but Niel also loves snorkeling, reading, and working on his home aquariums.


Name: Divan Neville Andre Venter

Position: Rotational Engineer
Nationality: South African
Languages Spoken: English/Afrikaans

Divan grew up in Pretoria, South Africa but moved to Umhlanga, Durban when he was in high school. During his childhood he did competitive endurance riding after school and later went on to obtain his private pilot’s license. After a friend made the suggestion, Divan decided to step into the yachting scene in 2017. At the time he wasn’t sure what he was getting into but now he couldn’t see himself anywhere else. First starting off as a Deckhand, Divan has learned the ins and outs of vessels and is now in the process of obtaining his SV license. Friends would describe Divan as energetic, enthusiastic, and eager. He is currently trying to learn how to play the saxophone but also enjoys running and cycling in his spare time.


Name: Matt Burns

Position: Deckhand
Nationality: South African
Education/Certifications: STCW 10 - PSSR, PST, Fire Fighting, First Aid; STCW 10 - Maritime Security Awareness; ENG 1 Medical Certificate
Languages Spoken: English

Matt grew up on a farm in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands in South Africa where he learnt a variety of skills and crafts that have shaped
him into a capable and independent young man. He later moved with his family to the coast, where most of his time was spent around
boats and the ocean. Matt has a passion for fishing and for the sea which led him to join the yachting industry in 2022.

Matt is a friendly, outgoing young man with a good sense of humor, and you are guaranteed to have a wonderful vacation in his care.