Crew Profile
| Captain Name:
|
Neil Rock |
| Nationality :
|
English |
| Number of Crew: |
3 |
CAPTAIN NEIL ROCK
Neil was raised in Lancashire, Northern England, on the azure waters of the River Mersey. By six years of age, he was already out boating on the Irish Sea. As a youth he sailed classic yachts on the River Mersey, venturing all the way to Scotland, Wales, and to the Isle of Man for the motorcycle racing, his second great passion. In addition to sailing, he was also a fishing and scuba enthusiast. He credits his maritime skills to mentoring by the fishermen of the Irish Sea.
Neil has always been an active sports enthusiast, participating in both team and individual sports. His passion and hobby as a youngster was going to Anfield to watch the mighty Reds. He was also a long-distance runner participating in 13 marathons. He has won awards and trophies too numerous to mention. To this day, he enjoys demanding, high-energy activities. When he has spare time for indulging in hobbies, they include; soccer, squash, rugby, golf, tennis, fishing, hiking and ice climbing.
The yachting destination he enjoys the most is rugged and challenging: Port St. Mary, Isle of Man. With 10-meter tides and matching currents, short weather windows, and unpredictable seas, it’s an accomplished coast to sail and perfectly suited to this high achiever. Neil has had a full career at sea, from commercial fishing vessels and luxury charter yachts to lobster fishing in the North Atlantic, and he has intimate knowledge of the Caribbean from his years chartering and sailing there. Guests aboard LAYSAN could not be in more skilled hands.
CHEF KAREN ROCK
Karen was born in Toronto, Canada and had her first marine experiences on the Great Lakes of Ontario. She launched her culinary career just out of high school, working in an authentic English tea house, baking scones and cooking traditional English lunches. She went on to complete college medical school and worked as a urology lab technician conducting clinical trials. She also worked in patient care and volunteered with the cancer society and with animal welfare.
However, this natural-born caregiver was also passionate about good food and making people very happy serving them delicious meals. So, she made the decision to attend culinary school to refine her techniques and expand her repertoire. It was the right choice. Karen has thoroughly enjoyed her ten-year career as a yacht chef. Her favorite dishes to prepare for guests are those local to the cruising region. Guests aboard LAYSAN will have the pleasure of sampling recipes using a variety of Caribbean spices, fresh fish and produce, for a truly authentic culinary experience.
Neil and Karen have been married for over 30 years, spending many of those at sea. When not sailing, they call Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, home. They are seasoned veterans of the yachting industry, with over 150 weeks of charter and many sea miles sailing in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the US Eastern Seaboard all the way to Canada.
LAYSAN is a 2017, performance sailing catamaran with luxurious accommodations and lots of toys and gear. You decide the pace and activities of your holiday; the crew makes it all happen beautifully. Welcome aboard LAYSAN, your vacation of a lifetime.
Stew/Deckhand - Gema MartiÌnez Domingo
Gema, originally from Spain, where she lived until she got 21, moved to Norway to finish her studies as a primary school teacher. After that university year, she decided to stay in Oslo to work in schools there and learn more about the Scandinavian prime quality education.
She ended up living in Norway for six years, in this time she worked as a kindergarten teacher, but also as a waitress in one of the highest level Asiatic restaurants in Akker Brygge, the harbour of Oslo. There she acquired professional service skills and also her passion for boats.
Then in November 2017 she first joined a boat, which was to cross the Atlantic with some Norwegian friends in a 42ft monohull. After that experience, she sailed around every island in the Caribbean with different boats until she arrived in the Virgin Islands. Gema falls in love with these islands and decided that she wanted to work in the Yacht industry.
In the last year, she’s obtained different certificates that makes her an experienced and professional deckhand, and more important than that, she loves what she does.
Stewardess - TBA
