Your Crew
James Minkley Head Captain
Crew Profile
MEET THE CREW:Captain: James Minkley
Chef/First Mate: Nicola Alberts
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, James grew up at the beach, surrounded by nature and the ocean. With these surroundings how could he not fall in love with everything to do with the ocean - sailing, surfing and so many other water activities.
Following his studies and degree in multimedia and marketing, he decided to further his sailing skills and has been working on the ocean ever since.
In 2022, after concluding a crew position on a 40m sailing yacht James decided to switch to a more "hands on" sailing position and accepted a captains role on smaller charter yachts which took him to Croatia and French Polynesia.
James is a fun-loving, warm hearted and adventurous person who is not afraid to try something new and create wonderful once in a lifetime memories for all who charter on REACH.
Nicola grew up in Cape Town, where her love for food was nurtured in the kitchen alongside her father, learning the art of preparation, presentation, and creating unforgettable dining experiences. Surrounded by the ocean and mountains, she has always been drawn to adventure, new challenges, and the joy of bringing people together over great food.
Originally studying Environmental Sciences, Nicola soon realized her true passion lay in the culinary world. This led her to pursue a career in hospitality, which transitioned to working as a chef on yachts in the Mediterranean.
More recently she has been running charters here in the Virgin Islands.
Whether sourcing fresh ingredients in remote locations or ensuring seamless service for guests, Nicola thrives on delivering warm, attentive hospitality with a focus on quality and creativity. Passionate about fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared cuisine, Nicola takes pride in crafting menus tailored to her guests’ preferences, ensuring every meal is a highlight of their journey.
James and Nicola can't wait to meet you and guide you on the Vacation of Lifetime!