REMEMBER WHEN Yacht Charter Motor Boat

Crew Profile

Captain (rotation) HENDRE (HENNIE) DU PLESSIS
Hendré (aka Hennie) was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, joining the yachting industry immediately after completing his education in 1999. As the son of a yacht builder and brother of a Chief Engineer, Hennie has a firm connection to the water and with a cousin also in the industry, you could say it's in his blood. He became a Captain at the age of 26 on board 157ft Christensen Nice n Easy. Hennie has been at the helm of Remember When since its launch in June 2010, overseeing the build and the maiden voyage from the Columbia River in the Pacific North West, down the West Coast, Central America, through the Panama Canal and San Blas Islands and back to our home port in Florida, and has successfully managed the vessel and crew since. He has traveled independently through the U.S., South America, Central America, Southern Africa, and Australia while pursuing his interests of returning to nature, camping, backpacking/traveling, motorcycle adventuring and cooking out. He enjoys all water sports especially paddle board surfing, scurf boarding and enjoys paragliding. Growing up on a farm and attending Agricultural school drove Hennie to build and run his very own hobby farm, overlooking Table Mountain outside of Cape Town in South Africa. Highly regarded by his peers and loved by his crew, Hennie is an integral part of the dynamics of the vessel and its smooth operation, as reflected by his impressive tenure.

Captain (rotation) FRANCISCO CHADINHA
Francisco grew up in a peaceful seaside village in Kleinmond, South Africa. After finishing school his desire to travel led him to the South of France where his yachting career began. His experience as a captain has flourished since he started in the yachting industry 20 years ago. Francisco has extensive knowledge on some of the most pristine and exotic coastlines having cruised throughout Europe, The South Pacific, USA, Central America and the Caribbean. Francisco’s experience as a charter captain has not only allowed him to travel the globe but also meet various people from different cultural backgrounds. He takes great pride in his professional role so that guests can be assured of their safety, comfort and peace of mind while aboard Remember When. Francisco’s aim is to make sure your experience onboard is unforgettable, whether your desire is to visit ancient ruins or sunbathe on secluded beaches in the Caribbean. In his spare time Francisco enjoys being active, water sports and photography.

First Officer KYLE STRYDOM
Kyle was born in Pretoria, South Africa. At the age of eight his family moved to Paarl in the Western Cape, where he was brought up amidst the mountainous terrain and lush wineries. He joined the yachting industry in 2012 and has spent most of his time cruising the Mediterranean, Caribbean and the East Coast of the United States. Kyle has always been an adventure seeker. He is very active and he enjoys wakeboarding, sports, reading and the outdoors.

Chief Engineer (rotation) WYNAND BOTHA
Born and raised along the laid-back coastal town of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Wynand has always enjoyed the outdoors and adventure sport lifestyle. In 2006 he graduated from the University of Port Elizabeth with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and subsequently obtained further certificates in Project Management and undertook specific short course studies in Germany. He has since worked in the marine industry throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, US East Coast, Mexico and US West Coast onboard M/Y Kogo, M/Y Excellence V, M/Y Polar Star, M/Y Faith and now M/Y Remember When. His wife and two little boys keep him busy during his time off back home in the UK, but whenever he gets the chance, he enjoys mountain biking or catching a few waves at his favorite holiday spot, Saint Francis Bay, South Africa.

Chief Engineer (rotation) ANDRÉ SLIER
André was born in Sasolburg, South Africa. After finishing school André sought a career that was challenging yet rewarding so he decided to join the South African Navy. André was determined and after a year of intense training he became a Navy Seal. André’s Navy career led him to join the yachting industry in 1998 where he followed the Engineering route and became a Y2 Engineer. In his spare time André enjoys all adventure sports such as wakeboarding, motorbike stunts and spending time with his wife and two boys. André looks forward to making your luxury charter onboard Remember When unforgettable while providing five-star service and attention to every detail.

Chef (rotation) RUSSEL DRAPER
Chef Russell Draper trained as a chef in his home country of Australia before leaving to broaden his experience in London, where he worked in a variety of high-end restaurants by the side of acclaimed chefs, perfecting the craft he is so passionately committed to. He has worked as a private yacht chef for the past 12 years and loves pleasing the discerning palates of each guest onboard with his unique approach to food, while he remains ready to satisfy special dietary requests and nutritional needs. While classically trained, Russell’s style is unlimited and draws inspiration from his travel experiences worldwide. He loves using the best produce available, and is always open to experimenting and creating. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, gardening, keeping fit and foraging in the forest!

Chef (rotation) PETER M. CHRISTENSEN
Peter is from the Sunshine Coast of Australia and worked as a land-based chef for many years prior to yachting. He owned a restaurant in Sydney and won many awards and accolades during that time. He’s travelled extensively and collaborated with well-known chefs such as John Burton Race, Jonathan Wright and David Feys from which he gained an immense amount of knowledge. His restaurant experience throughout the world included Gidleigh Park in Devon, UK, Latante Claire and Putney Bridge in London, UK. One of his favourite yachting destinations is Costa Rica because of the way of life and cuisine, and also Dubai for its unique and interesting culture. On his off-time he enjoys fishing, surfing, spearfishing, photography and the gym. Peter loves to enhance each and every guests’ experience with his world-class culinary talents, one bite at a time!

Chief Stewardess CHRISTINA PRINSLOO
Christina grew up on the Garden Route region’s picturesque shores of Mossel Bay, South Africa. She was educated at Stellenbosch University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology in addition to competing on the university’s Track and Field and Netball Teams. While studying in this world renown wine region, Christina gained skills in hospitality by working at her family’s local vineyard and tasting room. After University, Christina joined the luxury yachting industry and quickly gained a broad understanding of how a vessel is run by working from the bottom up, in both the interior and exterior. As a valued crew member for over 3 years onboard Remember When, Christina has worked her way up to the Chief Stewardess role where she manages the highly competent interior team in serving the particular needs of each guest. Christina is personable, organized, and loves working with children. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, America and the Caribbean, enjoying the local cultures and cuisines. As the well-rounded athlete, she enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities including scuba, tennis, skiing, basketball and golf.

Bosun/Fishing Guide JAMES FARREN
Born and raised in South Africa James was a sporty and outdoors person since childhood. Fishing is his favorite sport, a passion he inherited growing up in a family of avid fishermen. James also enjoys spear fishing which came naturally as the family spent most weekends onboard their boat. In his spare time he loves running and staying fit, he has completed the Comrades Marathon twice. James looks forward to fishing with you onboard Remember When, but most of all, to helping make your charter vacation fun and memorable.

2nd Engineer / Deckhand DE WET KNOLL
De Wet was born in Pretoria, known as one of South Africa’s three capitals. After high school, he furthered his education at the University of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. Subsequently, De Wet decided to pursue the Engineering path and sought a job as second Engineer on a motor yacht. Since joining the industry two years ago, De Wet has been fortunate enough to travel most of Europe, Indonesia and the tropical islands of the Caribbean. In his spare time De Wet enjoys skiing, diving, fishing, being active and the outdoors.

Deckhand / Dive Master MATTHEW GORDEN
Matt was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but moved to the United States at the young age of ten. He grew up exploring the shores and roaming the Atlantic Ocean around Stuart, Florida. Matt studied hotel management at Indian River State College but decided to go back to his roots and completed his Captain license at Chapmans Marine School. He established a career in the yachting industry, was introduced to diving and became a Dive Master. Matt’s diving and fishing experience have taken him to some of the most exotic islands around the world including Vanuatu, The Three Kings in New Zealand and the Gold Coast of Australia. In his spare time Matthew enjoys woodworking, fishing, diving and collecting boat projects.

Deckhand/Dive Instructor STEVE MCMANUS
Steve was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, a seaside town known for its great surf and the warm tropical water from the Indian Ocean. After school he went on to complete an Honor’s degree in Financial Management while playing field hockey. Steve was passionate about all sports, but especially field hockey, where he excelled and went on to represent South Africa at the Under 21’s World Cup in India. He decided to utilize his talents in field hockey and moved to London where he spent 2 years as a professional athlete playing for a well-established English Club as well as coaching at local schools and universities. After living in the London for a few years his desire to get back to the ocean led him to the yachting industry where he has since become a Dive Instructor. Steve has been fortunate enough to have traveled most of Europe, the Caribbean and South Pacific Islands including Papa New Guinea, Indonesia, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Fiji, and he looks forward to making your time onboard Remember When fun and unforgettable.

2nd Stewardess TINA LE ROUX
Tina was born and raised in Somerset West, South Africa. She attended the University of Stellenbosch, where she studied Business Management Science and an Honors in Logistics, subsequently pursuing a career in the fruit export business. However, her passion for travel led her to the yachting industry where she has enjoyed working for the past three years. Tina is passionate about her job, loves to meet new people and is grateful for the adventures yachting naturally brings. She has visited numerus of places around the world, her favorite spots being Livigno, Iceland, Munich and Indonesia. In her spare time, she enjoys watersports, diving, leather crafting, hiking and trying local cuisine.

Stewardess / Masseuse XANTHE CAWOOD
Xanthe (pronounced Chanté), grew up in East London, South Africa, and was heavily involved in a variety of sports from a young age. She completed her studies in Somatology—defined as the study or science of the human body as a branch of anthropology — which led to her passionate involvement in holistic body care. Born into a family of worldtravelers and having lived all over the globe herself, traveling has always been part of Xanthe's own life journey. Shortly after her studies she joined the yachting industry, voyaging through the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Artic remains an unforgettable highlight of her career. When not engaged in sports, Xanthe enjoys furthering her knowledge of the human body.