M/Y ALFA

CREW PROFILE

 

 

• CAPTAIN:     Takis Tsakos

Captain Tsakos is 41 years of age, he has over 20 years of experience on Cruise liners and in the yachting industry. He has spent most of this time as Captain on mega cruise ships, for companies such as Premier, Celebrity and Royal Cruise Lines, all based in the U.S.A.

He holds the following certificates:

-         Master’s License – Class A- (STCW 95’ compliant)

-         Food Handling and Hygiene Certificate – University of Miami

-         Hotel administration – University of Miami

-         United States Public Health Certificate

-         Swedish club upgrade safety training certificate

He also worked as Safety Inspector, overseeing 12 Cruise ships, confirming their safety standards. He joined Alfa during the construction period, assisting the Project Manager and continues as Captain and manager of M/Y Alfa thereafter. The Captain is also a master of languages, speaking English, Greek, Spanish and a little Italian. He enjoys all types of water sports and winter sports, as well as being an ex-Rally Car Racer.

 

·        CHIEF ENGINEER:       Dimitris Gerasounis

Dimitris is from Greece and he is a Class A licensed Engineer. He started his career on cargo ships in 1973 until 1980 and then moved to Cruise ships in 1980 until 1998. Dimitris then joined the Majesty Cruise line, side management team in Miami to oversee the build of several cruise ships, in particular Topaz and Royal Majesty. After the successful launch of Topaz, Dimitris joined the team of Alfa in March 2000, as Project Engineer to oversee the build, drawings, plans etc. Then, continued as Chief Engineer from the launch. Dimitris enjoys the finer things in life such as opera, wine and good food.

 

·        FIRST MATE:     Sakis Markou

Sakis is 27 years of age and single and is fluent in English. His history includes training in Athens at the academy of Merchant Navy for 4 years, where he achieved his 2^nd Officer’s Licence. He joined a motor tanker as 2^nd officer before completing his compulsory service in the Greek Army for 19 months. Sakis has been with Alfa since June 2013. He spends his spare time writing, and improving his computer skills. He will soon complete his First Mate examinations and looks to the future to being a Captain.

 

 

·        SECOND ENGINEER:              Andreas Panagopoulos

Andreas is 39 years of age, Greek Nationality with knowledge of many languages, fluent in Spanish, English, Italian and Greek. He started his career over 20 years ago, as 3^rd Engineer, working mainly on passenger ships for several different companies. Andreas is a handcraft artist, completing from drawing to final painting a small remote control model of Alfa. He also enjoys dancing and as a fun member of the crew, he keeps moral high.

 

·        BOSUN:               Kostas Giannopoulos

Kostas also has many years experience at sea under his belt, with 12 years on tankers and cargo ships and another 12 years on passenger ships. He is absolutely a really professional seaman. He started yachting 2 years ago and recently joined Alfa in November 2013. He enjoys many things in life such as reading, traveling and the theater.

 

·        SAILOR:              Carlos Duro

Carlos our sailor, he is fluent in many tongues, English, Italian, Spanish and of course, Philippino! He is a married with one daughter. Carlos has been on many cruise ships since 1989 for Dolphin and Premier Cruise Lines and joined Alfa in November 2000, completing one year on board. Carlos is extremely good handcraft worker, being a talented Tiller, Carpenter, Welder, Upholsterer and Artist (as well as a computer expert!). It is a genuine pleasure to have him aboard.

 

·        SAILOR:              Stavros Iliadis

Stavros is 35 years old, married with children. He is a licensed Bosun with 20 years of experience in Ferries and Cruise Ships as a bosun. He joined Alfa in February 2014. He is able to do any kind of repairs, from plumbing to mechanics, and it’s his joy and hobby in life to repair everything from cars, to house and even planes.

 

·        CHEF:      Thanasis Kalogeropoulos

Our Chef Thanasis, is also Greek, and married with two children. Fluent in English, French and Italian, he joined the vessel in January 2013. Thanasis has studied at the Touristic Academy of Chefs in Athens and then did an apprenticeship in Switzerland. He began his life at sea on cruise ships and then joined yachts, working on prestigious boats, such as Nabila, Prince Abdul Azziz, Maracunda, Lina and Lady Saria. He can actually claim to have cooked for a king! Thanasis specializes in all international cuisines. He has spent his life dedicated to refining his skills in the kitchen, and is truly an artist and creator of fine foods.

 

 

·        CHIEF STEWARDESS:      Gaelle Dray

Gaelle, 29 years old was born in Canada and brought up in France. Fluent in French, English and German, and with Spanish and Italian notions, she has been working for 5 years in the Yachting industry, exclusively on private Yachts, including a 2 years stay on Katana a 75m as 2^nd Stewardess and Chief Stewardess for a season on Bellini, a 50m yacht. Gaelle has also worked in the ‘Hotel de Crillon’, one of Paris’s most praised hotels. She has joined Alfa in March 2014. Gaelle enjoys writing, reading, scuba diving, bungy jumping, and hitch-hiking and is using her passion for animated movies to learn Japanese.

 

·        SECOND STEWARDESS:    Josie Buenfield

Josie is of English Nationality and 26 years of age. She started her life at sea at the age of 17, spending 6 years in the cruise ship industry with Regency and Cunard Cruise lines in the position of Night Auditor, Assistant Social Director and Purser. She has had the good fortune of traveling the world twice over and is still eager to see more. Josie made her transition into yachting 3 years ago on Virginian and Aviva and spent one year living and working in Corfu before joining Alfa in November 2013.

Josie enjoys snowboarding, water-skiing, traveling, reading and playing the piano.

 

·        STEWARDESS:   Lorrie Anne Nelli

Lorrie is 27 years old and of French and Italian background. She has spent many years studying Language in France and Italy, and spent one year at the University of Pisa Language and Foreign Literature. Lorrie has much experience in the leisure industry, and after working on a 22m San Lorenzo boat, she joined Alfa in August 2013. Lorrie’s passion is foreign language and all aspects of history. She is very sociable and likes to travel.

 

·        STEWARDESS:     Aurelie Pouligue

Aurelie is 23 years old and of French Nationality. After spending one year working and studying in England, she is now fluent in English. She has spent 2 years in the Hotel industry working in a four star restaurant. She then made the decision to work in the yachting industry, spending her first year on the 26m charter yacht Sirena A. She joined Alfa in November 2013. Aurelie has a lively personality and enjoys dancing, reading, music and skiing.