PARA BELLUM

Crew Profile

Captain – Dennis Varthalis
Greek
Dennis Varthalis, an accomplished captain from Greece, possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in navigating the Mediterranean and Caribbean sea. With over a decade of experience as an officer on oil tankers and a decorated tenure as chief officer and captain of private and charter yachts, Dennis brings a unique blend of commercial and maritime experience to the table. Trained by the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine and holding a Captain Class A' ticket, Dennis also has a plethora of other certifications, including life-saving, firefighting, and ship security. With exceptional communication and navigational skills, Dennis is the ideal leader for the exploration-minded Para Bellum, especially when venturing into uncharted waters. He consistently delivers exceptional service to both guests and yacht owners, earning an outstanding track record of excellence. As a family man with two children, he takes great pride in his work, ensuring guests will enjoy an exceptional charter experience under his expert command.

Chief Officer – Omar Velasco
Mexican
Omar, brings a wealth of maritime experience cruising the Mediterranean and Caribbean Sea on various vessles. With over 1.5 years as Chief Officer on a 55m expedition vessel, five years in yachting, and four years of military training, Omar is known for his disciplined approach and commitment to excellence. A team player and multitasker, he actively supports and trains his team, reflecting a professional mindset. Alongside his maritime qualifications, including, Omar also has a background as a triathlete. His prior roles include Chief Officer on the 55m m/y Latitude, Bosun on the 62m m/y Lumiere, and Junior Deck Officer on the 41m m/t Goliath.

Chef – Jovan Milosevic
Serbian
Jovan Milosevic is an accomplished yacht chef with a passion for Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. After completing his chef apprenticeship at Bajloni Restaurant in Belgrade, he swiftly rose to Head Chef. His career has spanned Serbia and international locales including the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Cyprus, Malta, and New Zealand. Throughout his career as a land-based chef, his accolades include two silver medals in the 4th International Culinary Chef Competition Novi Sad 2006, and Best Chef 2013 awarded by the Tivat Tourist Organization while serving as Head Chef at Al Posto Giusto. Jovan’s experience and training has heavily influenced his passion for working with the highest quality seasonal produce and combining traditional and modern techniques to create a style of healthy Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on clean, accented flavors. He enjoys showcasing his pasta making skills where possible and his home-baked bread is a daily feature at the table. He welcomes guest meal formats of every kind, from relaxed family style buffet service to formal plated dining including pre-dinner canape service, to multiple-course tasting menus. Transitioning to yachting in 2020, he has previously worked on yachts like M/Y OCEAN PARADISE and M/Y QUINTA ESSENTIA. Renowned for his use of seasonal produce and blending traditional and modern techniques, he excels in creating healthy, flavorful dishes.

Chief Stewardess – Milena Miljkovic
Serbian
Milena is the heart and soul of the guest experience on PARA BELLUM. With years of experience on yachts up to 50m, she has a natural talent for making every guest feel special, combining warmth and professionalism to create unforgettable memories. Her passion for delivering flawless service shines through in every detail, from beautifully arranged flowers and elegant table settings to thoughtfully planned events that reflect each guest's preferences. Milena’s strong organizational skills and calm leadership ensure everything runs smoothly, even during the busiest charters. Having managed shipyard projects, boat shows, and demanding schedules, Milena is always ready to go above and beyond. Whether it’s overseeing provisioning or crafting the perfect ambiance for a special evening, her dedication and care make every moment aboard PARA BELLUM truly exceptional. Guests can relax, knowing they’re in Milena’s capable and caring hands.

Chief Engineer – Gorkem Celik
Turkish
Gorkem brings a wealth of experience from both the Turkish Navy and the luxury yacht sector. With a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Turkish Naval Academy, Mr. Celik has worked his way up from entry-level roles to Chief Engineer on vessels as large as 80 meters, handling complex engineering systems with skill and precision. He has led engineering operations on a range of yachts across the Mediterranean, ensuring safe and smooth voyages for crews and guests alike. Known for his dedication and problem-solving abilities, Gorkem is fluent in English, Turkish, and Russian, making him an invaluable asset to our team in a truly international environment.

Bosun – Thanos Chantzos
Greek
With over a decade of experience working on various private yachts in different regions, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Middle East, and Indian Ocean, Thanos has acquired excellent professional skills that he's always eager to share with his fellow crew members. He holds multiple marine qualifications, including a YACHT MASTER OCEAN 500gt COC, a Certificate of RYA/MCA YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE, and a Certificate of Bosun, among others. He's also certified as a Zapata Flyboard Instructor and PADI Rescue Diver and a commercial large yacht helideck assistant. Thanos has held various roles in the past, including Leadhand and Bosun on the 113m M/Y Le Grand Bleu, First Mate on the 38m M/Y Meteor, and Bosun on both the 72m M/Y Serenity and the 86m M/Y Chakra. During this time, Thanos was responsible for deck maintenance, mooring operations, and water sports activities, leading a team of up to seven deck crew members. He is a great team player with a positive spirit, a strong personality, and flexibility, and he's looking forward to providing an amazing experience for the guests aboard the ‘Para Bellum’. With his love for the sea and sense of adventure, he believes that he has an exciting future ahead of him on the yacht.

Second Stewardess – Milica Andjelic
Spanish
Milica Andjelić is a highly skilled and experienced stewardess with a strong background in hospitality on luxury yachts. Born in 1989 with extensive experience across multiple prestigious vessels, including M/Y Irisha, M/Y Deja Too, and M/Y Tacanuya, Milica excels in guest services, cabin detailing, and overseeing junior stewards. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, positive energy, and adaptability, she ensures that every guest experience is memorable and luxurious.

Third Stewardess – Cassie Hall
British
Meet Cassie Hall, a stewardess who combines meticulous attention to detail with a personable and proactive approach. With experience managing every aspect of yacht interiors, Cassie ensures the highest standard of service, from flawlessly prepared guest areas to seamless meal setups and attentive laundry care. Her versatile background spans hospitality, healthcare, and maritime roles, making her adept at problem-solving, multitasking, and communicating with people from all walks of life. Whether she’s organizing the interior or lending a hand on deck, Cassie’s positive attitude and strong work ethic ensure your experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Deckhand – Panagiotis Tsigkris
Greek

Panagiotis is a skilled and experienced maritime professional with over a decade in yachting and is a promising new addition to Para Bellum’s team. A graduate in Mechanical and Computing Systems from the Technological Institute of Piraeus, he combines technical expertise with hands-on deck operations, specializing in tender driving, jet ski handling, and capping rails varnishing. Fluent in English and Greek, Panagiotis holds multiple certifications, including a Skipper Offshore License and an RYA Powerboat Handling License, ensuring safety and precision in all his duties. Known for his reliability and leadership, he is also passionate about sailing and team sports, reflecting his dedication to teamwork and excellence both on and off the water.

Deckhand – Kaira Evans
South African

With a passion for adventure and a meticulous approach to her work, Kaira plays a key role in ensuring smooth operations and a pristine vessel. From assisting with docking and anchoring to maintaining the yacht’s exterior with care and precision, she brings energy and professionalism to every task. Her approachable nature and commitment to excellence ensure you’ll feel confident and at ease throughout your journey, knowing the vessel is in capable hands. Kaira is here to make your time at sea seamless, safe, and unforgettable.