ODYSSEA

Crew Profile

Captain | Chris Seago | South African / American
BIO: Chris was born and raised in South Africa, where he spent his high school years building his family’s sailboat. After two years of cruising from South Africa to Florida, he laid the foundation for his yachting career, which he pursued full-time starting in 1993. Early in his journey, he met his wife, and together they raised two children who are now in university. While they’re not quite empty nesters, they’re looking forward to that next chapter.
Since joining Odyssea in April 2017, Chris has become part of the fabric of Odyssea, sailing from the Mediterranean to French Polynesia and everywhere in between. When he’s not on board, you can often find him indulging in adrenaline-fueled sports like kiteboarding, mountain biking, and dirt biking.

Captain | Duncan Stephenson | South African / American
BIO: Duncan was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Duncan’s love of the water started at a young age when he learned to sail on dinghies. He joined the yachting industry in 2003. When he’s not pottering around on the water, he’s rebuilding homes and spending time outdoors with his wife and young daughters. He also enjoys cycling and a game of squash. Duncan is easy-going and has a calm, genuine personality. His experience, meticulous attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and keen understanding of the charter industry means that M/Y Odyssea and her guests will have an amazing charter experience, while remaining in safe hands at all times.

Head Chef | Patrick Archer | British
BIO: Patrick Archer is a classically trained chef with deep culinary roots and a passion for refined, ingredient-led cuisine. Raised in the West Midlands, UK, Pat's love for cooking runs in the family—his great-grandfather was a chef in Liguria, Italy, and his grandfather served as head chef at the renowned Savoy Hotel in London. At just 19, Pat moved to London to pursue his culinary career, gaining invaluable experience under celebrated chefs such as Nuno Mendes (Portugal) and Junya Yamasaki (Japan). After six dynamic years honing his craft in some of the capital’s top kitchens, he relocated to Barcelona, where he joined the team at one of the city’s leading restaurants operated by the legendary Adrià brothers. Pat’s cooking philosophy centers on exceptional produce, prepared with simplicity, care, and a focus on clean, well-balanced flavours. Outside the galley, you’ll likely find him exploring Mediterranean coastlines on his road bike, always on the lookout for new inspiration and regional delicacies.

Rotational Engineer | Gary Wienburg | South African
BIO: Gary grew up in the sunny Cape Town suburb of Sea Point, where his curiosity and technical mind were evident from an early age—often found dismantling household appliances just to see how they worked. His love for the water came just as naturally, spending holidays water skiing, afternoons swimming or playing water polo, and weekends volunteering with the National Sea Rescue Institute. After completing his studies, Gary pursued a career in marine engineering, where he built a strong foundation working on commercial vessels for over a decade. In 2018, he made the transition to the superyacht industry and quickly rose to the role of Chief Engineer, bringing with him a wealth of hands-on knowledge and a calm, solutions-driven approach. When not at sea Gary can often be found exploring new destinations with his wife, combining their love for travel, culture, and adventure.

Rotational Engineer | Craig Pryde | Scottish
BIO: Craig hails from Motherwell, Scotland, and began his engineering career in the motor industry, joining a local company straight after school. In 2013, he made the transition into the yachting world, where he quickly adapted his technical expertise to the challenges of marine engineering. Over the years, Craig has furthered his career by working on a variety of vessels, particularly enjoying the intricacies of maintaining and upgrading older yachts. Inspired by his grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy, Craig developed a deep respect for the sea from a young age. When he's not in the engine room, you’ll find Craig enjoying a round of golf or hunting haggi’s! Known for his dry wit and dependable nature, Craig is a valued member of the ODYSSEA team, always ensuring that all systems are running smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes.

First Officer | Hayden Laubscher | South African
BIO: Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Hayden has always had a strong connection to the outdoors. Growing up, he spent his time fishing, cycling, and playing just about every sport he could—from football and touch rugby to his lifelong favourites: golf and fishing. After school, Hayden followed in his father and brother’s footsteps by studying Accounting. However, his love for the outdoors and sense of adventure soon led him to the yachting industry, where he found the perfect balance between hard work and the active lifestyle he enjoys. Hayden joined ODYSSEA in May 2018 and has been a valued member of the crew e. ver since. His dedication to learning, combined with a positive attitude and strong work ethic, ensures that he contributes to smooth operations on deck and delivers the highest standard of service to guests.

Bosun | Michael Burt | American
BIO: Hailing from Scituate, Massachusetts, a small coastal town south of Boston, Michael’s love for the water began early. Graduating from University in spring of 2019, Michael quickly realized an office job wasn’t for him and found himself pursuing a career in yachting. When the work day is over, Michael is eager to get behind a boat on the wake surf or wakeboard. However, he is currently in the process of mastering the hydrofoil. In the rare occurrence you find him off the water, Michael is an avid skier, chasing the best powder days. Michael looks forward to welcoming you onboard and making every experience a memorable one!

Deckhand | Keanu Adamson | South African
BIO: Born in the bustling heart of Johannesburg and raised on the warm coastline of Durban, South Africa, Kean’u grew up with both city energy and ocean spirit in his blood. Before stepping into the world of luxury yachts, Kean’u thrived as a dive instructor along the pristine and untamed shores of Mozambique, where he managed dive lodges and coordinated sea rescue operations. Yachting felt like a natural progression for Kean’u. With family members who are captains and close friends already navigating the industry. Outside of his professional life, Kean’u is a dedicated sportsman and long-distance swimmer. He has a particular love for cave diving, deep dives, and even shark feeding. Away from the water, Kean’u’s artistic side flourishes. A lifelong lover of art, he finds balance and expression through creating unique pieces inspired by nature, the sea, and his travels. Whether he’s diving into the deep or helping deliver world-class service on deck, Kean’u brings passion, precision, and a quietly bold energy to every moment onboard.

Chief Stewardess | Hayley de Jager | South African
BIO: Hayley is from Johannesburg, South Africa, where she completed her Honors degree in Psychology. She worked in a Center for Autism for 2 years and spent a lot of time volunteering at a Crisis Call Centre and a Community Youth Development Organization. Hayley started her yachting career in April 2018 in the beautiful city of Antibes. Like many of the crew aboard, Hayley loves being active and chooses to lead a healthy lifestyle filled with outdoor explorations. Hayley has a passion for animals and loves every moment spent with a furry friend. She developed a great love for travel and the ocean while on family vacations, which were mostly oriented around scuba diving and learning about new cultures. She takes great pride in her work and hopes to use her passion in hospitality to ensure all guests have a once-in-a-lifetime experience onboard.

Stewardess | Holly Bicknell | South African
BIO: Holly was born and raised in a small town called Mazowe surrounded by lakes in Zimbabwe, and attended boarding school from the age of 5 where she developed a passion for rowing and went on to represent her country competing in the sport. Growing up around the water Holly is very enthusiastic about all kinds of water sports, swimming and diving and also enjoys skiing, snowboarding and any sort of adventure in her free time. Shortly after finishing high school in 2020, Holly made her move into the yachting industry and has been working on boats ever since.

Stewardess | Callie Allison | South African
BIO: Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Callie is a vibrant individual with a deep love for the ocean and the outdoors. After spending a few years in the corporate sector, Callie was drawn to the yachting world that spoke to her. With a PADI certification and a background in high-level netball, she brings strong teamwork, energy, and focus to every environment. She entered the yachting industry in 2023, drawn by her passion for travel, adventure, and an active lifestyle. Whether underwater or onboard, she thrives in dynamic settings and is always ready to ensure that our guests have a wonderful time onboard.