HANA

A team that makes HANA her own

Fifteen across deck, galley and interior — discreet when you want the day to yourselves, ready the moment you don't.

We’ve both been aboard HANA for several years now, and we share her command on rotation. She’s a yacht we know intimately and care about deeply, and that shows in how she’s run — whoever’s at the helm, you’re in experienced, familiar hands. Our crew is the constant that makes every charter feel seamless, and it would be our pleasure to welcome you aboard.
Captains Lars Viljoen & Ryan SandwithMasters · HANA
Lars Viljoen — Captain
Captain

Lars Viljoen

British

A yachtsman from Devon who took to the sea early under his father's influence — a captain by 23. Away from the helm he races GT cars on circuits including Daytona, with Le Mans in his sights. Calm and exacting, he makes every passage smooth.

Languages
English
Off duty
Motorsports, racing, yoga
Ryan Sandwith — Captain · Rotational
Captain · Rotational

Ryan Sandwith

South African

Shaped by the coastline of Durban, Ryan joined yachting in 2015 after a B.Com at Pretoria. Eight years aboard HANA have made him part of her fabric; now in a rotational Captain role, he keeps every charter seamless.

Languages
English
Off duty
Rock climbing, hiking, camping
Marek Kotkowiak — Chief Engineer · Rotational
Chief Engineer · Rotational

Marek Kotkowiak

Polish

A valued member of the crew since 2007, Marek completed his maritime studies in 1990 and spent nineteen years in the Merchant Navy. Off the water he's a true outdoorsman, horse-trekking across the Polish countryside.

Languages
Polish, English
Off duty
Horse riding, history, reading
Adam Lang — Chief Engineer · Rotational
Chief Engineer · Rotational

Adam Lang

South African

South African-born and two decades at sea, Adam found his calling in the engine rooms of the world's finest yachts. Now based in Palma, he keeps HANA running quietly and faultlessly behind the scenes.

Languages
English
Off duty
Surfing, kitesurfing, diving
Ryan Carr — Chef · Rotational
Chef · Rotational

Ryan Carr

British

From the northeast of England, Ryan trained in Michelin-starred kitchens and at New York's Eleven Madison Park before running his own restaurant, ELEVEN, built on natural produce and open-fire cooking. Now in his fourth year aboard, he cooks for flavour over fuss.

Languages
English
Off duty
Gardening, foraging, food
Leo Maple — Chef · Rotational
Chef · Rotational

Leo Maple

British

Surrey-raised, Leo learned early that food brings people together. Eighteen years and a string of Michelin kitchens later, he's stepping into his first yachting season with real creativity and discipline. Off duty, he's walking his dogs somewhere green.

Languages
English
Off duty
Nature, foraging, his dogs
Amber Claxton — Chief Stewardess · Rotational
Chief Stewardess · Rotational

Amber Claxton

South African

Cape Town-born, Amber came to yachting from fine dining for the love of people and the ocean. In her tenth season and fourth aboard HANA, she runs the interior alongside her partner, Captain Lars — expert care from start to finish.

Languages
English
Off duty
Yoga, photography, hiking
Noelia Cufre — Chief Stewardess · Rotational
Chief Stewardess · Rotational

Noelia Cufre

Argentinian

From Salta, Noelia holds a six-year honours degree in nutrition and competed as a national-level swimmer and professional lifeguard. After three years as Second Stew she steps into a rotational Chief Stew role, warmth and energy in equal measure.

Languages
Spanish, English
Off duty
Swimming, pottery, nature
Kourtney McKay — Second Stewardess
Second Stewardess

Kourtney McKay

British

Born on the Cornish coast, Kourtney pairs fine-dining hospitality and event styling with a degree in Psychology — anticipating needs before they're spoken. Two years into yachting, she delivers polished, intuitive service.

Languages
English
Off duty
Pilates, gym, reading
Jonathan VDW — First Mate
First Mate

Jonathan VDW

South African

Durban-born Jono has spent five years building his career at sea. Now in his second year aboard and stepping up to First Mate, he brings energy and precision to the deck — and captures the journey through his camera.

Languages
English
Off duty
Guitar, videography, surfing
Montana Smith — Stewardess
Stewardess

Montana Smith

Australian

Australian and raised by the ocean, Monty came to yachting from teaching and hospitality. She brings warm, attentive service and a gift for the small moments — and you'll find her by the water whenever she's off.

Languages
English
Off duty
Pilates, cooking, reading
Baylee Longstaff — Deck / Stewardess
Deck / Stewardess

Baylee Longstaff

New Zealander

From New Zealand's west coast, Baylee's background spans education, lifeguarding and water sports. Onboard she brings creativity and a naturally positive energy; off duty, she's outdoors or settled with a coffee and a book.

Languages
English
Off duty
Sewing, baking, running
Matias Rico — Bosun
Bosun

Matias Rico

Argentinian

Buenos Aires-raised and football-mad since the age of three, Matias brings team spirit from the pitch to the deck. Hardworking and quick to smile, he's a devoted F1 fan who gives a consistent hundred percent.

Languages
Spanish, English
Off duty
Training, football, F1
Devan Stroebel — Deckhand
Deckhand

Devan Stroebel

South African

From Blouberg, Devan grew up bodyboarding, sailing and fishing off his father's yacht. He joined HANA in October 2025, bringing a steady, hands-on approach and an easy readiness to help wherever needed.

Languages
Afrikaans, English
Off duty
Padel, hiking, training
Kristofer Ennok — Chase Boat Captain
Chase Boat Captain

Kristofer Ennok

Estonian

Raised in Pärnu, Estonia, Kristofer was racing dinghies by seven and diving by ten. He's worked the world's largest sailing yachts — Obsidian, EOS — and served as a rescue swimmer with the Estonian Navy.

Languages
Estonian, English, Russian
Off duty
Travel, gym, classic cars