XENIA 74 Privatyacht

Kate was born in Malta and spent her childhood in Northern Ireland, the UK and Hong Kong. As soon as she could, she left home and carried on travelling, spending several years working in the summers and travelling in the winters. Eventually after buying a house, she settled in London and took up sailing. Deciding that a boat would be much more interesting than a house, she bought a Dutch barge instead and lived on it in a marina in the centre of London. Being paired with Tony and winning in a dinghy race one day led to the start of their relationship which was celebrated with the winning prize of a lottery ticket on the first ever National Lottery. They won 10 pounds - and have been laughing about life together ever since.
Kate has been in the food preparation industry since 1984 and for several years was the manager of a small food retail chain throughout the railway stations of London. She has worked as a chef on yachts and in villas since 1999 and has loved pretty much every moment. She has attended a culinary course in France and has a food certificate from her early days in the food industry in London. Kate's close involvement in life in France has enabled her to learn firsthand the delights and rewards of delicious French cuisine. She has expanded her culinary skill and knowledge throughout her life. Kate has recently contributed to a recipe book with other top chefs from the island and appeared on the local TV show "Gourmet Galley with Chef Lisa". In addition to her chef and management duties at Golden Pavilion, Kate has also provided chef services for other prestigious villas and establishments, notably the Governor of the British Virgin Islands and the owners of Amway at Peter Island Resort.
Kate and Tony enjoy an adventurous and busy life together and embrace hard work with vitality and enthusiasm. Charming, fun and great company, they are complete all-round hospitality winners. They work well together under pressure and routinely handle all that the hospitality and sailing world may demand of them and have fun on the way.

Born and raised in the southern tip of Africa, I spent many a holiday on safari with my family where my love for the outdoors has grown deeper with every trip. But even in these early days the attraction of water was strong, and I ended up pursuing that as an open water swimmer. After school the oceans started calling and I soon realised where my true passion lay. I started my journey of yacht training and diving courses. I worked for a time on The Sustainable Seas Trust vessel, Boaz. This enabled me to accumulate not only invaluable experience but also notch up some sea miles. Following this an opportunity opened up for me working for a fleet of large charter catamarans in the fascinating country of Turkey. Today, learning not only yachtsmanship but the skills required in the hospitality industry.

I am a now a qualified RYA Offshore skipper and also an enthusiastic PADI Dive Master. Enjoying every moment above and below the waves I am now starting a new adventure with Xenia 74 and living my dream in the Caribbean. I cannot wait to share the wonders of the BVI and the reefs with our guests.

Hailing from New Zealand, where beautiful beaches are plentiful, Katie has always had a love for the ocean. Growing up, her uncle and aunt who worked on crewed yachts for many years filled her head with stories of sailing the Caribbean, where the water is crystal clear and there is always a Shaggy song playing somewhere. She was enticed. Before running off to become a sailor she completed a Bachelor of Communications (at her mother’s request!). Six months later Katie was on a one-way flight to the Virgin Islands where she stepped off the plane and onto Xenia 74.
On board, you can typically spot her with a wine bottle or cocktail shaker in hand (she makes an amazing painkiller!) or trying to create intricate napkin folds for the dinner table. When she isn’t on the boat you will find her at a beach bar sipping on a Bushwhacker or more likely patting a dog somewhere. She can’t wait to welcome you aboard with a glass of champagne!