Welcome
To Barrington-Hall Crewed Yacht Charters Worldwide
MYSTIQUE
CREW PROFILES
Captain: Anthony Priest
Nationality: Australian
Number of Crew: 10
Crew Profiles: M/Y MYSTIQUE
~ Crew Profile ~
Captain: Anthony Priest
Australia
Anthony has been on boats his entire life. At the age of 7 he began sailing which quickly turned into his obsession. At the age of 17, he began to sail professionally, winning multiple regattas. In 1989, he relocated to Fiji when he was 20 and owned and operated a Surf Charter Business aboard his 48’ yacht. A few years later, Anthony sold the business and came to the U.S. and Europe and started his career in the yachting industry. At 25 Anthony was the youngest Maxi Boat Captain. In 1995, he sailed in the Maxi World’s in Sardinia and was part of the winning team.
Anthony possesses his Master Class IV and as a captain has logged over 100,000 nautical miles and has traveled all over the world. Anthony is the former captain of the 125’ Palmer Johnson, MILK & HONEY, the 151’ Benetti DOLCE FAR NIENTE as well as the 193’ ocean-going tug DOLCE FAR NIENTE.
Chef: Stuart Kennedy
Australia
Stu is from NSW, Australia. He grew up surrounded by food from an early age as his parents owned a Restaurant in the Hunter Valley. This naturally led him to work in the family business where his love for food and wine evolved before heading off to work in Sydney and later in Europe.
After absorbing the flavors of Europe through work and travel, he came back to Sydney and worked in several acclaimed restaurants before again seeking new horizons. This led him to the Bahamas and to a friend’s restaurant which in turn led to meeting many “yachties”. Liking the interesting stories on offer he became a yacht chef in 2002. In the last 7 years he has travelled the Med and Caribbean extensively, always on the lookout for inspiring culinary ideas. When not in the galley Stu can be found on the nearest golf course.
Feel free to pop in the galley to ask Stuart for any special requests.
First Mate: Simon Wells
Australia
From Sydney, Australia Simon entered the maritime industry in 1998. Progressing through the ranks has lead him to running and working on various boats including water taxis, high speed jet boat thrill rides, construction barges, tour boats, ferries, a navy patrol vessel and finally private yachts. He owned and operated his own harbor cruise and charter business in Sydney harbor which he successfully ran for 2 years.
Simon has been in and around the yachting industry for the past 9 years and in that time he has been captain on various vessels arranging from 80-100ft. For the past 3 years he has been spending extensive periods of time in the Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean. Simon holds an Australian Master Class IV Coastal, a 200-ton Master and 3,000-ton Deck Officer’s License.
Chief Stewardess: Stanislava Strbkova
Slovakia
Stania was born in Slovakia. After her Fashion Design and Business study she went to England to study English. She was introduced to the yachting industry and started her career in 2003. Stania has worked as a Chief Stewardess on high profile charter and private yachts all over the Mediterranean, Caribbean, East Coast of the U.S. and Bahamas. During Stania’s career she was also involved in a new build at Baglietto shipyard in Italy, where she gained invaluable experience in outfitting an outstanding interior with the owners of the vessel.
Stania is very proud of her high quality of silver service which includes Russian service. She is very talented with flower and table decorations. Stania is looking forward to serving your clients and will make sure they have a memorable time onboard MYSTIQUE.
2nd Stewardess: Olena Velychko
Ukraine
Olena hails from Mariupol, Ukraine, 100 miles from the Russian border. After training in the Ukrainian National Ballet from a young age, she completed a degree in Psychology. Her urge to travel the world led her to work on large cruise ships for several years. After seeing much of the world she decided to move into the more intimate luxury private yacht sector 2 years ago.
She is very approachable, has a quirky sense of humor, and is great with kids. Olena is an expert mixologist and she can be relied upon to make the day complete with a great cocktail or three.
Deckhand: Steven Ivkovic
Australia
Steve hails from Melbourne Australia, and in 1989 Steve decided to leave Australia to travel the world as many Australia’s do. While traveling, he realized one could travel the world by working on mega yachts. As a deckhand, fishing with owners and guests, he realized he had a passion for fishing. He decided to change his path to find mega yachts that specifically offered fishing programs.
Steve has fished all over the West and East coasts of the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. He has been with the same owner and captain, having transferred from the owner’s previous vessels, 151’ DOLCE FAR NIENTE and the 193’ FAR NIENTE ocean-going tug, in tandem with their fishing vessel CHUNDA.
Deckhand: Jesse Holder
American
Jesse holder was born in Florida and raised in Connecticut. He has always had a passion for traveling and adventure. He has explored most of the United States by car, backpacked through Brazil, and taken various trips to the Caribbean and Central America. He spent one year in Costa Rica as a surf and river guide while working for Outward Bound. After spending a few years in San Diego, California working onboard a SCUBA dive charter boat, he chose to pursue his education and enrolled in the Chapman School of Seamanship in the Professional Mariner Training program. Soon after graduation he was hired on MYSTIQUE where his hard work, ethic, and good humor have been greatly appreciated.
Chief Engineer: Steven Ruscica
American
Born in Connecticut, Steven Ruscica grew up on Candlewood Lake where he learned boat handling at a young age. Earning his private pilot’s license, and purchasing his first airplane while still in High School, Steven pursued his aviation passion. After receiving his Commercial Pilot’s License, and Airframe/Powerplant mechanics certificates, he purchased a surplus military fighter jet restoring it to show standards. Reflecting on his childhood, Steven returned to the water with a 15 year career in Yacht Engineering. His hobbies include custom motorcycles, and collecting and restoring antique automobiles.
3rd Stewardess: Viviana Bastidas
Ecuador
Viviana Bastidas was born in Ecuador in 1986. She finished her studies of Business Management and Accounting in Quito, Ecuador. She wanted a change of life-style and decided to start in the yachting industry where she could work hard and enjoy everything while she’s working. Her passion is to experience the different cultures in each country with an open mind and to seek adventure. She enjoys nature, climbing mountains and other outdoor activities.
Deckhand: TBA
Barrington Hall Yacht Charters & Sales - 2805 E Oakland Park Blvd, Ste 397, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33306, U.S.A - 1-800-478-2029 / 954-720-0475 - info@bhcyachts.com
