M.Y. Gladius — Crew Profiles 2010
Captain ~ Michael Wyer (British)
Michael was born in the UK but grew up on the Greek Island of Corfu. His yachting career began working for a sail-boat charter company during school vacations - and has continued more or less unbroken since then.
He has attended Warsash and Tyneside maritime colleges in the UK and holds an MCA class IV master of yachts up to 3000grt. He has been with the current owner for three years starting as build captain of the original M.Y. Gladius and is looking forward to taking over the new vessel this summer. In previous years he has served as Chief officer on a variety of large charter yachts including M.Y. Esmeralda and M.Y. Illusion. Mike is fluent in Greek and his hobbies include sailboat cruising, especially among the Greek Isles. He also enjoys Scuba diving and is a qualified Padi Divemaster.
First Officer ~ Yann Minder (Swiss)
Yann is a qualified commercial yacht master and also holds an MCA OOW qualification. He has worked in the yachting industry for over seven years and has served aboard various types of vessel on both side of the Atlantic. He has been with the original M.Y Gladius for three seasons. With his previous experience in the hotel industry and fluency in French, combined with a good knowledge of cruising areas and yacht operations, Yann is definitely a great asset to the Gladius team! Yann's hobbies include sailing, skiing and snowboarding.
Chief Engineer ~ Michael Norton (British)
Michael holds a UK merchant navy engineering certificate as well as an MCA Y2 qualification. He first went to sea as a marine technician with the RAF but subsequently and over the past twenty years he has been involved with various motor yachts including substantial time served as captain of vessels less than 24metres. He has served with the original Gladius for three years since before her launch. Mike's enjoys the occasional round of golf when time permits and is also interested in the sport of Judo.
Chef ~ Helen Flitter (New Zealand)
Helen, is a young, vibrant and passion filled New Zealander who has spent the last five years living and cooking in Japan. She has worked two years for Michel Troisgros in Tokyo as well as for Gordon Ramsay at the Conrad Hotel. She has made her way to Gladius overland, traveling through India, South East Asia and Russia… And eating all the way of course!
Besides food and travel she really enjoys music and you can often find her singing along to the radio while she is making lunch!
Cheif Stewardess ~ Melody Angel (Australia)
2010 will be Melody's third season as part of the Gladius team. She left her home of Perth, Western Australia to travel and soon found herself on a boat bound for the Caribbean. She has since explored many places, favourites being the BVI's, Jamaica, France and Italy. She has worked on private and charter boats such as M.Y Ecstasea, M.Y Gold Digger and M.Y Braveheart. Melody studied travel and tourism and enjoys exploring new and different places.
2nd Stewardess ~ Natalie Di Re (Australia)
Natalie is a newcomer to the Gladius team but she brings a wealth of experience from both the hospitality industry as well as her time on other yachts such as Magna Grecia and Al Mirqab. Natalie has never been able to shake the travel bug. She enjoys travel and keeping fit.
Bosun ~ David Duncan (British)
David grew up in Monaco and is bi-lingual in French and English. He holds a commercial yacht master qualification and has been with the original Gladius for the full three years, since her launch. He has previously worked on a variety of other vessels including M.Y. Shalimar, M.Y. Rova D as well as the sailing vessel Tamory. Davids hobbies include sailing, travel and skateboarding.