Captain - Christopher Townsend
Nationality: American
Languages: English
Education/Certifications: Bachelors of Science, Business Management & Finance, USCG 200-ton masters, STCW 95, TWIC, PADI Open water, Federal LTC
Christopher’s passion has always been the sea. He is a natural yacht captain with saltwater in his veins. Growing up on boats in the commercial fishing industry, he developed a lifelong love for the ocean and continues to own and operate a commercial lobster boat on Cape Cod when he’s not yachting.
Chris is a hands-on captain with more than 36 years of experience navigating and managing vessels throughout New England, South Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the USVI. He is proficient in operating vessels up to 130 feet for private use, charter, deliveries, and commercial fishing. His extensive background in mechanical systems, boat building, carpentry, and hydraulics enables him to maintain vessels to exceptional standards and tackle challenges with confidence and efficiency.
He truly enjoys his work and assists in all areas, creating a pleasant and team-oriented atmosphere on board. Having owned his own companies and boats, he is budget-conscious, safety-minded, and always operates each vessel as if it were his own. Because of this, he maintains excellent relationships with his past employers, many of whom have become close personal friends.
Chris has worked on vessels such as M/Y TEMPTRESS, M/Y CHILD'S PLAY, M/Y TALON, M/Y INDEPENDENCE 3, M/Y BLUE GUITAR, M/Y WINNING HAND, M/Y XOXO, M/Y CURRENT SEA, and is currently captain on board M/Y ESCAPE.
When he’s off the clock, Chris can still be found on the water, whether he’s fishing, kitesurfing, lobstering, or boating, and if he’s not, he’s likely cooking at home or traveling.
Chef - Dawn Notman
Nationality: American/Irish
Language: English
Education/Certifications: ENG1 STCW95, Yacht Chef Course, Level II Food health & Safety, IYT Stew Course, RYA VHF Radio, RYA PB Level II, Victorian Bar School, Photography DSLR, Nobu Restaurant Mngt. Training Program, Starwood Hotels Food & Beverage Manager Trainer
Dawn is a passionate and dynamic culinary professional whose vibrant personality and love for exceptional food shine through in every dish she creates.
Having grown up all around the world, Dawn’s global upbringing exposed her to a diverse range of flavors and cuisines, inspiring her deep appreciation for culinary creativity and cultural fusion.
With extensive experience across luxury hospitality and yachting, Dawn has worked in prestigious kitchens and establishments, including NOBU, Molton House, W London, and Starwood Hotels. Her journey at sea has been equally impressive, serving as both chef or chief stewardess on renowned superyachts such as M/Y TOP SELF, M/Y ZEN, M/Y APOLONIA, M/Y KAOS, and many others. She is currently the chef aboard M/Y ESCAPE, where she continues to delight guests with innovative, nutritious, and beautifully presented cuisine.
Dedicated to living a balanced fulfilling life, Dawn prioritizes health and nutrition in her culinary approach. Her philosophy is rooted in passion, precision, and wellness - bringing people together through unforgettable dining experiences that nourish both body and soul.
Outside the kitchen, she finds inspiration and harmony through yoga, photography, and reading, all of which fuel her creativity and commitment to continual learning.
Chief Stewardess - Kelly Sampson
Nationality: South African
Language: English, Afrikaans
Education/Certifications: GA Level 3 TEFL certificate, Ashtanga & AOL Yoga & Meditation Course, Skills Course: Advanced Excel Course, Diploma Course: Basic Principles of PR, STCW Basic Refresher and PDSD, PYA GUEST Interior Introduction, PYA GUEST Food Service Introduction, PYA GUEST Wine/Mixology Introduction, PYA GUEST Food Hygiene Level 2, PYA Yacht Rating Certificate, YIS Level 2 Silver Service, Powerboat Level 2, PADI Open water Scuba Diving Course
Kelly is an accomplished Chief Stewardess with extensive experience on both private and charter yachts across Europe and the United States. With a background in sales management, promotions, event coordination, public relations, and hospitality, she brings a dynamic blend of leadership, organization, and interpersonal skills to every vessel she joins. She thrives under pressure, excels in team environments, and consistently ensures a high standard of service and presentation onboard.
Throughout her yachting career, Kelly has coordinated and hosted numerous events onboard, Boat shows, fam trips, private owner trips to month-long charters. Working closely with chefs and crew, she takes pride in creating a seamless guest experience defined by luxury, comfort, and attention to detail. She has served as both Chief and Second Stewardess, gaining valuable experience on yachts including M/Y ALESSANDRA III, M/Y HAMPSHIRE, M/Y FAR NIENTE, M/Y GRAND FINALE, M/Y COLUMBUS, M/Y ANDIAMO, M/Y OCEAN DREAMWALKER, and is currently serving aboard M/Y ESCAPE as chief stewardess.
Outside of her professional life, Kelly leads an active and adventurous lifestyle. She enjoys yoga, scuba diving, hiking, and slacklining, activities that reflect her balanced and focused approach both on and off the water.
Engineer - Nick Overbeek
Nationality: American
Language: English
Education/Certifications: Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI), Yamaha Certified Technician, Suzuki Certified Technician, Mercury Certified Technician, MC2 gyrostabilizer certified, STCW, Kohler University, Westerbeke University
Born and raised on the north side of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Nick has been surrounded by the ocean his entire life. His love for boating started early with his family owning a 17’ Boston Whaler. Growing up on a small island, he watched yachts come and go, always wondering what life was like onboard. That curiosity eventually led him to pursue a career in yachting, turning a lifelong passion into a profession.
Before stepping into the yachting world, Nick built an impressive skill set across multiple industries, including owning and operating a landscaping company, working in construction, commercial fishing, and mastering both diesel and marine mechanics. After attending technical school for marine mechanics, he steadily worked his way up to larger vessels and has now been a key part of M/Y ESCAPE for over seven years.
As First Officer, Nick is known for his problem-solving skills, reliability, strong communication, and ability to perform under pressure—all with a positive attitude. He strives to ensure guests have the best possible experience onboard, helping them create lasting memories while enjoying everything the yacht and the ocean have to offer.
In his spare time, Nick enjoys working out, going to the beach, fishing, free diving, and spending time with loved ones.
Deckhand - Arthur Colaljo
Nationality: Filipino
Languages: English, Cebuano
Education/Certifications: Electrical Engineering with ETO (Electrical-Techno Officer) License
Growing up in rural Cebu beside the sea, Arthur spent most of his childhood mornings on the beach. His deep connection to the ocean and love for adventure naturally led him to a maritime career spanning over 25 years.
Starting as a marine engineer and ETO, Arthur spent two decades traveling the world aboard merchant ships before making the successful transition to yachting. Having known many people in the industry, the shift felt like a natural next step. Now, as a dedicated deckhand, he brings a wealth of experience, a strong work ethic, and a passion for exceptional service.
Arthur thrives on creating unforgettable experiences for guests, ensuring they can fully immerse themselves in the moment, enjoy breathtaking destinations, and make lasting memories with the people around them. Life is already complicated—his goal is to make time onboard feel effortless, luxurious, and extraordinary.
In his free time, you’ll find Arthur on the basketball court, listening to music, or taking on the challenge of fixing things that "can’t be fixed." Whether it's fine-tuning yacht operations or enhancing a guest's experience, he’s always up for making things better.
