PARA BELLUM

Crew Profile

Captain – Dennis Varthalis
Greek
With over 20 years of maritime experience and more than 16 years at the helm of luxury yachts, Captain Dennis Varthalis brings seasoned leadership, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for hospitality to M/Y PARA BELLUM. Having followed the yacht’s construction from inception, Dennis has been on board since her launch and has masterfully delivered 26 weeks of successful charters during the 2024 season alone. His strong background in both commercial shipping and superyachts spans the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East, and includes transatlantic crossings, new build deliveries, and top-tier guest experiences. Calm, professional, and detail-oriented, Dennis fosters a warm and welcoming onboard atmosphere while ensuring the highest standards of safety and service for guests and crew alike.

Chief Officer – Omar Velasco
Mexican
Omar, joined PARA BELLUM in February 2024 bringing a wealth of maritime experience cruising the Mediterranean and Caribbean Sea on various vessels. 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, 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 has been on-board PARA BELLUM since April 2024. He 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 – Rebecca Staples
British
With over 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality and yachts, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge, energy, and creativity to her role as Chief Stewardess on board PARA BELLUM. Her extensive background includes leading high-performing interior teams on both private and busy charter yachts, ranging from 34m to 81m, often in remote and adventurous cruising grounds. Rebecca is known for her exceptional guest service, meticulous attention to detail, and passion for delivering memorable onboard experiences—from beach barbecues and treasure hunts to elegant tablescapes and refined service. A natural mentor and team builder, she sets the tone for a warm, polished, and five-star experience aboard PARA BELLUM.

Chief Engineer – Jonrey Telmo
Filipino
Chief Engineer Jonrey joined PARA BELLUM upon delivery in 2023 and re-joined in winter of 2025. Having graduated from a Philippine maritime school in 2009, he has sailed on various types of tanker ships with multinational crews. Safety is his top priority on board, and he excels in working flexible hours, fostering teamwork, and respecting diverse ideas. Jonrey holds certifications such as Chief Engineer Certificates Reg. ׀׀׀/2, Tanker Ship's Certificate Reg. V/1-1, and Advanced Training Reg. Vl/4.1, Vl/3, Vl/6. He is skilled in survival craft, rescue boat operations, ship security, E/R simulation, and fast rescue boats. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and listening to music.

Bosun – Marius Taute
South African
Originally joining M/Y PARA BELLUM as Deckhand during the winter of 2024, Marius quickly proved his skills and leadership, earning a promotion to Bosun for the 2025 season. With over five years of yachting experience on vessels up to 104 meters, including the prestigious M/Y SPECTRE and M/Y QUANTUM BLUE, Marius brings a strong background in both deck operations and guest service.
Having completed a highly successful summer season in 2024, Marius now leads the deck team with professionalism, energy, and a hands-on approach. His experience with transatlantic crossings, tender operations, water sports, and maintenance makes him an invaluable part of PARA BELLUM’s exceptional crew.

Second Stewardess – Milica Andjelic
Serbian
Milica joined M/Y PARA BELLUM in the summer of 2024, bringing with her an impressive background on yachts up to 133 meters. With nearly a decade of experience across both private and charter vessels—including M/Y IRISHA, M/Y GOLDEN ODYSSEY, and M/Y AL MIRQAB—Milica has developed a strong reputation for her meticulous service, friendly demeanor, and calm professionalism. As Second Stewardess, she plays a key role in delivering seamless guest experiences, managing interior operations with attention to detail and a refined sense of hospitality. Her warm personality, teamwork mindset, and dedication to luxury standards make her an integral part of PARA BELLUM’s exceptional crew.

Deckhand – Gary Strong
South African
Gary is a dedicated seafarer with a deep-rooted passion for the ocean and a drive to excel in the yachting industry. Growing up on the coast, he was immersed in boating and sailing from a young age, which naturally led him to pursue a career at sea. Since stepping into the industry, he has worked his way up, gaining hands-on experience across a variety of high-profile charter and private yachts. Confident in all aspects of deck operations, Gary is just as comfortable at the helm of a chase boat as he is leading maintenance projects, managing teak repairs, or assisting with engineering tasks. His strong work ethic, problem-solving mindset, and enthusiasm for learning make him a valuable asset onboard. Whether he’s handling tender operations, overseeing deck duties, or keeping an eye during watch, Gary brings enthusiasm his good spirits and a team-focused approach to every challenge.

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 guests feel confident and at ease throughout your journey, knowing the vessel is in capable hands.

Third Stewardess - Elin Lundberg
Swedish
Elin joined M/Y PARA BELLUM as Third Stewardess following several seasons on prestigious yachts such as M/Y FLAG, M/Y Parillion, and S/Y Pink Gin VI. With a strong foundation in all aspects of interior service—ranging from housekeeping and laundry to high-end guest service and event planning—Elin brings experience, adaptability, and a positive team spirit to every charter. Her previous leadership roles, including stepping in as Relief Chief Stewardess and Purser, highlight her dedication and capability beyond her years. Calm under pressure and always smiling, Elin’s attention to detail and warm demeanor help ensure that every guest feels perfectly at home on board.