Crew
Robert Bell — Captain
Languages: English
Captain Robert's journey began with an Honours Degree in Economics from Kingston University London in 1995, but his true passion has always been the sea.
With over 25 years of experience, he has become a seasoned captain with countless adventures and vast knowledge navigating yachts across the Mediterranean,
Caribbean, and Pacific. Nearly a decade spent on the legendary Maltese Falcon refined his expertise in some of the world’s most stunning cruising grounds.
In 2024, Captain Robert joined Burrasca, bringing his extensive experience and adventurous spirit to her helm. Beyond sailing, Robert enjoys classic cars,
cutting-edge tech gadgets, flying drones, film, and reading. With every new chapter, his passion for the sea grows stronger, and he eagerly anticipates
the thrilling adventures ahead.
Panagiotis Kalamatianos — Relief Captain
Languages: Greek, English
Renowned for his meticulous vessel care, flawless navigation, and unwavering commitment to delivering a five-star guest experience, Captain Panagiotis
ensures that every moment on board is seamless, safe, and truly unforgettable. His leadership style is calm yet confident — inspiring excellence, unity,
and professionalism among his crew while maintaining the yacht in impeccable condition.
Beyond the art of yachting, Captain Panagiotis is captivated by the world of sailing regattas — the energy, the strategy, and the meticulous preparation
that precedes each race. For him, these moments are pure magic: a shared passion between captain, crew, and sea, where precision meets adrenaline and
teamwork transforms into art. He believes that every race is not just a competition, but a celebration of seamanship and spirit — an experience that
exhilarates both him and those who share the deck with him.
Andre Castro E Silva — Chief Officer
Languages: English, Portuguese
Andre began sailing at age 7 in the Azores, where his love for the ocean was born. Since then, he has developed strong skills in
both deck operations and engineering, eager to broaden his knowledge and experience within the yachting industry. Known for his
upbeat personality and positive attitude, Andre thrives in collaborative, team-oriented environments.
Highly motivated and dependable, he approaches all tasks with dedication, a strong work ethic, and focus on quality. He has
recently gained hands-on experience in various operational roles, proving himself as a reliable and adaptable crew member. Outside
of work, Andre enjoys watersports like kitesurfing and bodyboarding, as well as hiking and exploring new places— interests that
reflect his energetic and curious nature.
Steffen Deutschmann — Chief Engineer
Languages: English, German
Steffen, known affectionately as “Chief”, brings a wealth of experience to the team, with a background that spans commercial ships,
superyachts, and the German Navy. He’s the go-to person for anything technical onboard—from engines and electrics to all the behind-the-scenes
components that keep the boat running perfectly, day and night!
Chief has a wealth of knowledge of diesel-electric systems and a sharp eye for detail. His work has taken him across the Med,
the Caribbean, and further afield, always with a focus on reliability and smart preventative maintenance. Chief ensures Burrasca is
operating at her best, so guests can enjoy the journey without a hitch.
George Savvopoulos — 2nd Engineer
Languages: English, Greek
George is a seasoned Class C Marine Engineer with a strong background in the commercial shipping world, having spent years working on
tanker vessels across the globe. His experience includes managing large-scale projects and ensuring everything is up to scratch when
it comes to safety and compliance.
In addition to his engineering skills, George is also comfortable on deck, lending a hand with anchor operations and general maintenance
when needed. He recently wrapped up a successful Caribbean charter season and two Atlantic crossings with S/Y Burrasca.
Curious by nature and always looking to grow, George enjoys travelling and reading in his downtime. He brings a calm, focused energy
to the team and is always ready to get stuck in wherever he’s needed.
Emma Yearsley — Chief Stewardess
Languages: English
Emma brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a refined sense of precision and elegance to every team she joins.
Renowned for her impeccable service standards and meticulous attention to detail, she inspires and guides her interior
crew with professionalism and grace.
Throughout her career, Emma has excelled in training and mentoring junior stews and ensuring seamless collaboration across departments.
Calm under pressure and highly guest-focused, she is respected by both crew and guests alike. With her leadership, the onboard environment
runs smoothly and efficiently, ensuring every voyage is seamless and every guest feels cared for.
Passionate, energetic, and attentive, she combines operational expertise with genuine care, creating an environment where both crew and guests thrive,
and every detail is executed with elegance.
Anna Scarpi — 2nd Stewardess
Languages: Italian, English and German
Anna is an Italian stewardess with extensive experience in fine dining and luxury hospitality, both ashore and at sea.
She has worked in five-star hotels, private yachts, and exclusive events, delivering service that is effortless, precise, and tailored to each guest.
Her expertise spans plated and silver service, mixology, barista craft, meticulous housekeeping, and refined table styling.
Anna combines creativity with exacting attention to detail, ensuring every experience on board is seamless, refined, and memorable.
Having lived abroad since 2009 in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Malta, she brings a worldly perspective, adaptability, and cultural awareness
to every environment. Fluent in Italian, English, and German, and a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Anna combines professionalism with warmth and a calm,
confident presence, elevating every aspect of luxury service aboard Burrasca.
Mia van Aswegen - 3rd Stewardess
Languages: English
Originally from Cape Town, Mia brings over three years of experience in the luxury yachting industry, having worked in both private and charter environments.
She approaches every service with precision and intuition, ensuring that each detail is effortless and refined.
Her experience ranges from working as a sole stewardess to being part of established interior teams, making her highly adaptable, proactive, and organized.
With a background in land-based hospitality, she combines polished service standards with genuine attentiveness to guest needs.
Certified in barista skills and mixology, Mia elevates every onboard experience, crafting beverages with care while maintaining a calm, welcoming presence.
A qualified masseuse with over a year and a half of hands-on experience, she is passionate about creating a soothing, restorative atmosphere for guests, making wellness an integral part of her service.
Tomas Marques — Bosun
Languages: English, Portuguese
Tomas was born in Porto, Portugal, and has developed a distinguished sailing career with strong expertise in rigging. Starting in dinghy
sailing classes, he progressed to the 420 class and was a member of the Portuguese Olympic team for the 470 class from 2012 to 2014.
He competed at the highest level in European and World Championships, achieving notable results.
After his competitive career, Tomas coached Laser and 420 sailors for six years, transitioning into yacht racing where he secured several
titles. His tuning and optimization skills highlight his technical mastery and commitment to performance. Passionate about watersports,
he enjoys kitesurfing and wing-foiling, which complement his active ocean lifestyle.