LOLA

Crew Profile

CAPTAIN
Hugo O'Kelly

Hugo is a seasoned sailor who has been captivated by water from a young age. He grew up in England, in a small county just outside of London and spent most holidays by the seaside of Cornwall. At the tender age of seven, Hugo discovered his passion for sailing, racing lasers and 49er’s while at school. Later in his youth he became an instructor for this.

Hugo’s passion for sailing and the ocean grew stronger after school, so he headed to the South of France to work on luxury Superyachts. At 18, he was selected and sponsored to race across the Atlantic being the youngest crew in the fleet. This is when Hugo realised his true calling. He completed his Yachtmaster amongst other qualifications with the dream of becoming a captain.

Hugo has at present, spent 2 years in the BVI, worked as Skipper and 1st Mate on luxury yachts of up to 100ft. From sailing charters to sea-life safari tours – he’s been sailing in some of the most beautiful and exotic locations around the world. Hugo has achieved his Ocean Master's, having logged over 20,000 Nautical miles.

When he’s not at work, Hugo is an avid water-sports enthusiast and instructor. He loves to coach waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wake-surfing. Surfing, diving and fishing are also just a few of his many hobbies. Whether on the water or on land, Hugo is always seeking new adventures and finding ways to connect with the sea.


CERTIFICATES
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Sail, CE)
• RYA Ocean Master Theory
• British Waterski and Wakeboard
Level 2 Coach
• STCW
• RYA Powerboat 2
• RYA Sailing /racing Dinghy Instructor
• RYA Safety Boat
• RYA Advanced PowerBoat (CE)
• RYA VHF Radio
• RYA First aid
• RYA PPR
• PADI Open Water Diver



CHEF
Milou Van Melick

With a passion for hospitality, Milou's goal is to exceed guest expectations. Growing up in the Netherlands in a family-owned restaurant, Milou was involved in the hospitality industry from a young age, developing a natural talent for guest relations and service. Her positive energy and welcoming smile always being a welcome addition to any gathering.

After completing her university studies, she expanded her horizons by traveling through Central and South America, where she embraced different cultures, cuisines and discovered her love for the ocean through surfing. She later spent a year working in Australia, further refining her skills working as a farm nanny for a family of nine surrounded by animals, which she also has a fondness for.

Milou finds immense joy in cooking for and with friends and family, and this love for bringing people together through food has been a constant throughout her life. She feels happiest when everyone is gathered around a table filled with home-cooked food, sharing stories, and enjoying each other's company. Milou strives to create this feeling on charter while preparing a wide variety of dishes tailored to guests' preferences.

When she's not whipping up delicious meals, Milou draws on her background with a wedding planner and catering company to keep everything running smoothly. Her attention to detail, positivity, and organizational skills help turn every moment onboard into a truly memorable experience.

Whether it's sharing fun travel anecdotes, enjoying watersports, trying new recipes, or baking her favorite carrot cake, just ask Milou and she's in!


CERTIFICATES
• Bachelor of Arts - Events & Hospitality Management
• Propedeuse Bachelor Hotel Management
• Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
• Food Allergy Awareness
• STCW + PDSD