A-PLAN Yacht Charter

Captain: Alex Homden

Alex Homden
Captain (Rotational)
British

Sail and Work Experience
Alex is an accomplished Captain/Engineer with over 55,000 nautical miles logged and a background in the Royal Marines. He has extensive experience in both luxury charter and competitive racing across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Atlantic. Most recently, he captained the Lagoon 77 MATY, managing crew and full vessel operations for a large family-style program. Previous roles include Atlantic deliveries, charter work in Greece, and Captain/Engineer on FAR II KIND (Southern Wind Farr 72’) for major regattas. He also gained valuable technical experience as First Mate on the 33.6m motor yacht SPADA.

Job Description
Alex oversees all aspects of yacht operations, including navigation, engineering, maintenance, and crew management. He ensures safety, regulatory compliance, and delivers high service standards for owners and guests.

Licences and Qualifications
• RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Sail 200GT (Commercial Endorsement)
• AEC 1 & 2
• Advanced Fire Fighting
• STCW (27/10/2027)
• ENG1 (04/12/2025)
• ECDIS, HELM, GMDSS
• RYA Diesel Maintenance, PB2
• Proficiency in Medical First Aid
• Efficient Deck Hand
• Seaman’s Discharge Book
• PADI Open Water
• B1/B2 Visa (exp. Nov 2033)
Languages
English

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Ben Findley
Captain (Rotational)
New Zealander

Sail and Work Experience
Ben is a highly experienced captain with over 25 years at sea, commanding sailing yachts across some of the world’s most challenging and beautiful cruising grounds. Hailing from New Zealand, his extensive career has taken him across global waters, where he has built a reputation for both technical excellence and outstanding guest service. With a meticulous approach to safety and detail, Ben brings calm professionalism and a passion for the ocean to every charter. His background as a sailor, surfer, and marine photographer adds a unique dimension to the guest experience, often crafting unforgettable, personalized adventures on board.

Job Description
Ben is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the vessel, overseeing navigation, compliance, and all aspects of daily yacht management. He leads the crew with a calm and approachable demeanor, fostering a warm and professional environment for guests and crew alike. Ben ensures that each voyage runs smoothly, safely, and with careful attention to the guest experience—offering tailored itineraries, adventure planning, and seamless execution.

Languages
English, Spanish

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Pepe Catà Fainé
Chef (Rotational)
Spanish

Sail and Work Experience
Pepe is a passionate and energetic chef with a strong background in fine dining and private service. He has brought his skills aboard yachts in the Mediterranean over multiple seasons, including as a private chef on YGO in summer 2024 and YOLO in Ibiza in 2023. His land-based culinary experience is equally impressive, having held roles such as Executive Chef at Tribeca Bistro in Madrid and Head Chef at Casa 887 in Donosti. He has also worked in Michelin-starred environments including Miramar (2**) and The Jane (2**) in Antwerp, as well as other notable restaurants such as L’Eggs by Paco Perez and Xerta in Barcelona.

Job Description
Pepe is responsible for provisioning, menu planning, and delivering high-quality, tailored meals for guests and crew. He ensures smooth and efficient galley operations, prioritising hygiene, creativity, and guest satisfaction, with a focus on Mediterranean and fine cuisine.

Licences and Qualifications
• Kitchen Management + High Cuisine – Jesuitas Sarrià
• Master’s Degree in Teacher Training – UAX (2024)
Languages
Spanish, Catalan, English, French

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Danny (Hein) Nel
Chef (Rotational)
South African

Sail and Work Experience
Danny is a passionate and dynamic chef with over seven years of culinary experience, including extensive time at sea. From October 2021 to October 2024, he worked with Tradewinds Charter as Chef and First Mate aboard several luxury catamarans including NEW BEGINNING (70ft), DREAMSONG (60ft), FAITH (59ft), SWEPT AWAY (60ft), NOW (52ft), HOME (60ft), WANDERLUST 2 (60ft), and ELLA LEE (70ft). In this role, he prepared gourmet meals for guests, handled provisioning and galley management, and assisted with deck operations and safety.
Danny later served aboard B3 (a private yacht) from May to October 2025 as Chef/Stew, providing culinary service for both guests and crew, and maintaining interior spaces, including saloon and cabins. His background also includes roles as a head chef, kitchen manager, and commis chef in land-based restaurants and cafés.

Job Description
Danny is responsible for the complete culinary experience on board, including menu planning, provisioning, and delivering high-standard, customized meals tailored to guest preferences. He ensures galley hygiene and efficiency while also contributing to general vessel operations. Danny plays a key role in guest satisfaction through food service and presentation, and can support light deck or interior duties as needed.

Licences and Qualifications
• Level 4 National Certificate in Professional Cookery
• Level 2 City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation and Cooking
• Level 2 Food and Safety
• STCW10
• VHF Radio Licence
• PowerBoat Level 2
• RYA Day Skipper
• SSI Divemaster
• B1 US Visa

Languages
English

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Leroy Cave
Deckhand
South African

Sail and Work Experience
Leroy is a seasoned seafarer with over 15 years of experience, primarily as a First Mate on both private and charter yachts. His extensive cruising experience includes the West Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, English Channel, Canary Islands, Indian Ocean, and Andaman Sea. He began sailing in the challenging waters of Cape Town, racing on Fast 42s and a Pacer 37, before advancing into professional yachting. Leroy combines strong seamanship with a service-oriented approach, ensuring both operational excellence and guest satisfaction on every voyage.

Job Description
Leroy supports the captain in all deck operations, navigation, and maintenance tasks. He assists with docking, line handling, water sports, and guest activities, ensuring all safety procedures are followed. With his experience as First Mate, he contributes to smooth vessel operations and guest comfort, playing a key role in both the technical and hospitality aspects of the charter experience.

Languages
English, Afrikaans

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Chloe Codd
Stewardess
British

Sail and Work Experience
Chloé is a hardworking and enthusiastic stewardess with experience across private and charter yachts. She is currently serving as Second Stewardess aboard M/Y BIG CHANGE II (40m), where she has gained extensive interior experience, particularly in guest service and housekeeping during a busy season in Ibiza. Her responsibilities include turn-up and turn-down service, cabin presentation, and maintaining a high standard throughout the interior.
Previously, she worked aboard M/Y CABANA (35m) in a dual role as stewardess and deckhand, contributing both to interior duties—such as laundry, turndown, table setting, and guest care—and exterior operations, including line handling, fender management, stainless polishing, and passage preparation during a crossing from Turkey to Malta.
Her entry into yachting began with daywork aboard M/Y PICOLETTE (55ft), where she assisted with daily detailing, inventory organization, and interior maintenance. Chloé has consistently demonstrated her adaptability, attention to detail, and commitment to high standards across all roles.

Job Description
Chloé is responsible for maintaining exceptional standards within the yacht’s interior, focusing on housekeeping, laundry, guest service, and table detailing. She contributes to the preparation and presentation of the yacht for guest arrivals, ensures comfort and cleanliness throughout charters, and collaborates across departments. With experience in deck work, she also supports the crew during mooring, crossings, and general maintenance tasks.

Licences and Qualifications
• STCW Basic Safety Training
• ENG1 Medical (exp. 12/01/2027)
• Proficiency in Security Awareness
• RYA Powerboat Level 2
• Alex Parker Larkin Intensive Interior SY Training (Housekeeping & Laundry)
• MCA Level 2 Food and Hygiene Safety
• Barista Trained (Origins Coffee)

Languages
English

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Rotation Schedule :
Captain
Ben : 10 January – 12 March
Alex : 12 March – 12 May
Ben : 12 May – 12 July and so on

Chef
Donny: Until 4 February
Pepe: 4 February – 4 April
Donny: 4 April – 4 June
Pepe: 4 June – 4 August and so on