RISK & RE WARD FOR CHARTER
CHRISTIAN M E HLMANN | Captain | British
Growing up on his family’s yacht along the Solent, UK, Christian Mehlmann developed a deep passion and respect for the sea from an early age. By 17, he naturally transitioned into a professional yachting career, driven by his love for travel and adventure. A quick learner and natural leader, Christian became a captain at just 23 years old. Since then, he has explored countless destinations across both hemispheres, creating unforgettable experiences for owners and guests from diverse backgrounds.
Christian thrives on delivering exceptional and personalized yachting experiences, working alongside his dynamic and enthusiastic crew. He takes great pride in ensuring every detail of the journey comes together flawlessly, going above and beyond to make every holiday memorable.
In his downtime, Christian enjoys cooking, hiking, golfing, and diving. He’s also an avid DIY enthusiast when at home.
ERICA MEHLMANN | Chef | USA
Born and raised in Southern California, Erica is a globe-trotter at heart. Having traveled to over 40 countries, she has lived in London, Hong Kong, and Barcelona, eventually making her way to the sunny south of France and now Florida. A UC Berkeley graduate, Erica’s love for sunshine, beaches, reading, scuba diving, and discovering new cuisines has shaped her journey.
Her passion for food and travel led her to pursue a career as a Yacht Chef, honing her skills at Ashburton Culinary School. She specializes in fresh, vibrant dishes with a focus on Mediterranean, Asian, and healthy cooking, using locally sourced ingredients. Her dream yachting destinations include the Maldives, Alaska, and the Galapagos.
MARIJA MARTENS | Chief Stewardess | Macedonia
Marija was born and raised in Macedonia. She began her first journey to England after leaving home some 20+ years ago. Shortly after England, she set sail to the Caribbean and now counting 15+ years of professional work experience in the yachting industry. Once she set foot on the beautiful island of St. Maarten, she started bartending which resulted in winning two competitions. Her eagerness to travel, explore and broaden her horizons led her to the first job as a stew on a mega yacht. The promotion to chief stew came shortly thereafter and has been her passion ever since. As chief stew, she shares her loyalty, enthusiasm, hard work, charisma, and positive energy with both the crew and the guests. You will always be greeted by her smiling face and be prepared for the contagious laughter she enjoys spreading on board.
BRANDON SCHOLTZ | Mate | South African
For Brandon, adventure and boating are his true passions. He has spent his whole life on boats for various reasons, with fishing standing out as his favorite activity. Born and raised in South Africa, he set off at 22 to travel and work abroad. When he’s not on a boat, he’s likely racing around on his MX dirt bike or spending quality time with family. He finds joy in yachting, especially in meeting new people and experiencing diverse cultures. His long-term goal is clear: to embrace this lifestyle for as long as possible, with his sights set on becoming a captain one day.
XANTHE IBOTTSON | Stewardess | South African
Xanthe is an outgoing and spontaneous person who dives headfirst into new experiences. She loves meeting new people and transforming ordinary moments into something fun and unpredictable. Her passion for water activities began early, growing up as part of a “boating” family. Before starting her yachting journey two years ago, she was a water polo player and coach—and she hasn’t looked back since. For her, life is about staying open to whatever comes next and making the most of every opportunity.
DIVAN CROUS |Deck Engineer | South African
Born and raised in South Africa, Divan grew up on a farm near Stanford, where the land meets the sea. Immersed in a community of seafarers, he developed a profound connection to both the waves and the wilderness, fostering a work-hard, play-hard ethos that has fueled his success as an automotive business owner. His love for speed extends to racing boats and competing as a professional driver. Surfing and fishing deepens his bond with the ocean, while travel broadens his perspective through diverse cultures.
