Jean van Wyngaard
Captain
Jean grew up in a small fishing town in South Africa. After completing school, he did a 6-month apprenticeship in boat building. Once he completed his apprenticeship, he was offered a contract to play rugby in England. An injury led him to shift his focus to hospitality, and he moved to Dubai to work in the food & beverage departments for well-known hotel groups like Marriott International & IHG.
Jean met his fiancé, J-Dean, in Dubai, and they decided to travel the world together by working in the yachting industry.
Jean is passionate about the ocean and strives to ensure that crew and guests have a memorable and safe experience.
After realizing that his passion is with the ocean, he has aimed to progress his career and intends to complete his 3000 GT Ticket.
His certifications include GST, NAV & RADAR, ARPA; GMDSS; HELM & BRIDGE MANAGEMENT; ADVANCE FIRE & MEDICAL ADVANCE SEA SURVIVAL; STCW, PDSD, Powerboat Level 2, PWC (jet-Ski), Yacht Master Unlimited, Food & Hygiene Level 3 & VHF radio.
Jean enjoys fishing, sports, kayaking, and scuba diving in his free time.
J-Dean van der Westhuizen
Chief Stewardess
Named after James Dean, J-Dean grew up in Potchefstroom, an academic town 120km west-southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. After completing her degree in Communication Management and honors in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at The North West University, she moved to Johannesburg to start a career as a New Business Executive. This new career only lasted a year and a half before she realized that living in one place was not meant for her.
Her heart was yearning to travel the world, meet new people, and learn about other cultures. J-Dean resigned from her big-city job to pursue her dream as a stewardess with Emirates airlines, where she worked for 3 years. After meeting her now-fiancé in Dubai, they decided to join the yachting industry together in 2017.
J-Dean & Jean started working on VivieRae II in 2019 and have not looked back since. She aims to give guests the best experience possible, making them feel comfortable and at home onboard while anticipating their needs.
J-Dean's yachting certifications include STCW, PDSD, Powerboat Level 2, rescue scuba diver, and Food and Hygiene Level 2.
J-Dean enjoys a variety of adventures in her time off, including hiking, scuba diving, team sports, arts, and crafts.
Andre-Wentzel Gelderblom
First mate
Andre has been in the yachting industry for over five years and joined Vivierae II as First Mate. He brings strong seamanship skills, excellent safety awareness, and a proactive, professional attitude to every charter.
His experience includes confidently driving large tenders, standing navigational watches, leading deck teams, managing guest transfers, coordinating watersports activities, and maintaining the vessel’s exterior to the highest standard. Andre is also a qualified Surf Instructor, having completed three months of training in Sri Lanka, and a certified Dive Master, with over two years of experience working in Thailand, Malaysia, and South Africa prior to entering yachting. His background and passion for ocean-based activities allow him to deliver safe, engaging, and memorable watersports experiences for guests.
Andre is dedicated to providing five-star service, ensuring guest satisfaction while fostering a positive and professional onboard environment. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, surfing, hiking, and exploring new cultures. He also plays guitar and loves entertaining guests on board with music, adding an extra touch of enjoyment to the charter experience.
Laura Kittle
Chef
Laura is the sole chef on board, specializing in refined yet relaxed dining that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients and vibrant flavors. Her menus are thoughtfully crafted to feel indulgent without being heavy, creating memorable meals that elevate time spent on the water.
She holds an Honours degree in Hospitality Management and a Certificate in Culinary Arts from the Ashburton Cookery Academy in Devon. With over five years in the yachting industry, Laura began her career as a stewardess before transitioning into a chef role, bringing a strong service-led approach and attention to detail into the galley. She now creates personalized menus, tailoring each dish to suit every charter.
Laura draws particular inspiration from Asian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines, while enjoying the creativity of cooking across a wide range of global styles. In her spare time, she loves travelling to discover new food inspiration, as well as practicing yoga, hiking, surfing, and seeking out new adventures — experiences that continually influence her cooking.
Tayden Wood
Deckhand
Tayden is a Durban, South Africa local with a lifelong love for the ocean and everything that comes with it. Growing up on the water, he spent his early years wakeboarding, skiing, and fishing — building the skills and confidence that now make him a natural at sea.
Coming from a close-knit family (which means everything to him), Tayden brings that same warmth and energy to every charter. Whether it’s boating, water sports, or simply helping guests relax and enjoy the ride, he’s passionate about creating unforgettable days on the water and making sure everyone has an incredible time.
Shayne Cohen
Second stewardess
Shayne is the Second Stewardess onboard VivieRae II. She grew up in Durban, South Africa, and is the middle of three sisters, with whom she shares a very close bond. Being away from her family can be challenging at times, but the opportunity to experience beautiful destinations and meet incredible people makes it all worthwhile.
She is passionate about working in yachting and genuinely enjoys creating memorable guest experiences — from thoughtful service touches to mixing exceptional cocktails and setting the tone for a perfect day onboard. Shayne danced from the age of three until eighteen, an experience that shaped her into the disciplined, energetic, and detail-oriented person she is today. With a strong love for travel and adventure, she values that her career allows her to explore the world while doing what she loves.