Your Crew
Luc Bastide Head Captain
Crew Profile
Captain - Luc BastideYou can be sure you are in the best hands with Captain Luc for your time on Sailing Catamaran LIR. Luc was born in Southern France and grew up in the mountain farmlands. Although sailing was always a passion, Africa drew him in first of all as many of his lifestyle stories would enthral you with - being part of the anti - poaching teams.
The mountains and wildlife gave Luc a deep sense of the importance of the environment , whilst his absence from the sea heightened his love of it . Luc is totally focussed on delivering sailing experiences to his guests which will leave them wanting to return as soon as possible.
He has built up a wealth of charter experience since leaving Africa, in both the southern Caribbean and Mediterranean areas - always recognising the diversity of guests’ needs on charter with him and his team.
Rotational Captain - Darragh McCarthy
Darragh has sailed professionally for more years than he cares to remember, so he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. With more than 150,000 miles notched up around the globe (over 4,000 of those single-handed in the Pacific), Darragh’s focus is to ensure that all of our guests have the best possible experience, during their time on Lir.
Darragh has spent a considerable amount of his life in the Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, particularly Naples, Sardinia and Sicily areas and Malta), plus areas as varied as, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean. Growing up on the beautiful west coast of Ireland Darragh spent most of his time on the water so it was inevitable that being at sea would become his life and with many a story ready to share with guests you can rest assured he will keep you entertained.
Chef - Sophie Ferguson
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sophie Ferguson’s upbringing and extensive travels sparked her passion for crafting international cuisine, with a focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Her culinary journey began in esteemed establishments such as Prawn on the Lawn and The Lake Hotel, where she honed her skills and cultivated a deep appreciation for exceptional dining experiences. Realizing a desire to merge her love of the ocean with her culinary expertise, Sophie pursued advanced training at the prestigious Ashburton Culinary School, renowned for its specialization in yacht charter cuisine.
In addition to her culinary credentials, Sophie is a certified Dive Instructor and holds RYA qualifications, allowing her to blend her passions for sailing, diving, and hospitality. Her career has taken her to stunning destinations, including Indonesia, Thailand, Honduras, and the British Virgin Islands, where she has thrived in sea-based industries, both above and below the water.
Known for her warm personality and dedication, Sophie is beloved by her guests. She consistently strives to deliver unforgettable culinary experiences that elevate each holiday into the adventure of a lifetime.
Deckhand - Daniel Yelseth
Daniel grew up in South Africa always gravitating to the sea and water sports, becoming an experienced kite-surfer and loving his fishing . As soon as it was feasible he qualified for a future career at sea with his RYA PowerBoat and Open Water Diving and then graduated into yacht sailing and water-craft . He can also add a lot of fun to any charter , not just “out on the water” but also with his other passion - for photography and drone operation . To round out his present skills sets , Daniel has also enjoyed graduating from a SuperYacht Steward training programme . This will be his 3rd full season with Lir in the Tyrrhenian Sea and Corsica areas .
Stewardess - Valerie Stathem-Sprod
Valerie served as a Flotilla Skipper in Croatia in 2024, which included up to 15 other yachts. Her role included guiding guests on island excursions, assisting with their holiday plans, and ensuring the highest levels of customer service throughout the week.
With extensive experience in high-end hospitality, Valerie has worked as a Front of House Manager in hotels, restaurants, and theaters for many years before embarking on a career at sea. Her expertise also includes organizing and leading various themed events, such as murder mystery nights.
Rest assured, with Valerie's experience, your guests are in the best hands.
