KASHMIR YACHT CHARTER

David Laird “Dave” | Captain
Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Accounting; USCG 500T; PADI Divemaster and NAUI Dive Instructor
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

Captain Dave was born in Clear Lake, Texas, close to Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. After graduating from college and working in accounting for eight years, the ocean was calling to him so he cashed in his retirement plan and moved to Florida. His love of yachting started in 1998 and over the past two decades, he has worked on charter yachts on the east and west coasts of Canada and the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Central America. You may remember Captain David from the 157′ Big Sky, Lady Sara, Liberty and the 130′ Westport Milk Money. From these yachts, David gained extensive cruising experience in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and North and Central America. David’s charter reputation is simple: listen to the guest, offer suggestions, and give the guest what they want. In addition to being a successful charter yacht captain, David is also a certified NAUI Dive Instructor.

Kimberleigh-May van Jaarsveld | First Officer
Certifications/Education: Advanced Diver, Master of yachts 200 ton
Languages: English, Afrikaans

Kim grew up in a small town in the midlands in South Africa. She spent a lot of time around the water being on the dam, river, or ocean. Sports was a huge part of Kim’s life as she played field hockey, track and field, cross country, cricket, squash, and tennis. She won many awards during her time at high school including “Sports Woman of the Year” twice. Kim also holds several records in her name on the athletics field. She is now a qualified field hockey coach and umpire. After finishing high school, Kim wasn’t sure what she wanted to study. With her grandparents owning yacht training facilities currently located in South Africa and the USA, Kim has always been familiar with the industry. She decided to join yachting as a gap year and six years later, she’s still here. Kim has now been working on charter boats for four years. She carries with her a bubbly personality that gravitates towards guests. On board she loves to take care of the photography to capture the guests’ finest moments. Aside from 133’ KASHMIR, Kim has also worked on vessels such as M/Y NITA K M/Y FORE ACES, and M/Y ISLAND HEIRESS. She is currently striving to become a Captain before the age of 30.

In her spare time, Kim loves practicing yoga, photography, playing water sports, travelling, diving, and hiking. She can’t wait to provide guests with an unforgettable time that is filled with lots of memories to share with loved ones.

Dean Silva | Chef
Languages: English, Conversational Italian and French

Dean was raised in beautiful Melbourne, Australia. With this being a massive foodie city, he grew up always wanting to be a chef.
He has worked in the yachting industry for many years, traveling and learning different cultures and cuisines. Typically, Dean enjoys cooking Asian Pacific and Mediterranean, though he is comfortable preparing all types of cuisines. He can cater to specific dietary requests such as gluten-free, vegan, and kid-friendly and will always go above and beyond to ensure every palate is satisfied. Dean is passionate about the ocean and the art of fine dining and over the years has built a reputation within the yachting industry that he is quite proud of.

Off charter, Dean enjoys food photography and videography. He has filmed over 100 chefs and all of the edited material is now published on his website and YouTube channel.

Harriet Robinson | Chief Stew
Certifications/Education: Sports Masseuse, Yoga Instructor
Languages: English

Harriet grew up with her four sisters in Hastings, a town on England’s southeast coast. During her childhood, she competed in horse riding events. Harriet loves to keep fit and healthy by going to the gym, running, and doing yoga. Harriet entered the yachting industry back in 2012, so she could travel the world with like-minded people. Since being in the industry, Harriet has cruised the waters of the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, and Florida. She strives to create a family-style environment filled with lots of laughter. She is dedicated to bringing forth every guest’s desire and is committed to providing quality service that is unmatched. Theme nights are a favorite for Harriet to enhance the guest experience. It’s safe to say that there is never a dull moment onboard 133’ KASHMIR. Harriet has also worked onboard M/Y ZENOBIA, M/Y ICON, and M/Y MY SEANNA.

In her spare time, Harriet likes to get back to her roots and practice yoga and meditation. Harriet proudly welcomes guests onboard KASHMIR for a once-in-a-lifetime charter experience.

Fabiana Belfiore | Second Stew
Certifications/Education: Bcom Business Management & Industrial Psychology
Languages: English, Basic Italian and Greek

Fabi hails from Johannesburg, South Africa and later moved to Cape Town between Table Mountain and the ocean. With an urge to get out of South Africa and try something new, she decided to enter the yachting industry. Prior to this, Fabi was running her family’s three restaurants carrying the role of General Manager. Fabi brings a positive attitude onboard, always radiating an infectious attitude. She is committed to making guests feel relaxed, ensuring every detail is taken care of. When Fabi is not on board, you can find her practicing yoga, surfing, drawing, or learning how to dive. Fabi wants guests to have an unforgettable experience, creating life long memories with loved ones on board 133’ KASHMIR.

Oscar Olivares Hernandez | Engineer
Certifications/Education: Second Engineer, Unlimited Chief Engineer up to 3000KW propulsion power, STCW 2010 Security Awareness, Medical Care
Languages: English, Spanish

Oscar was born in Acapulco, Guerrero in México. It is a very popular and touristic place surrounded with beaches on the pacific side. He grew up with his two sisters in a traditional family environment. Oscar went to a private school where he played basketball, swimming and regattas in small sailing boats. It was here that his passion for sailing and the sea was born. After a long commercial background on big cargo ships, he started in the yachting industry in 2017. Prior to yachting, he was second engineer on supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico for petroleum platforms. Aside from M/Y KASHMIR, Oscar has also worked on board vessels such as M/Y MARIALE IV, M/Y PERLA, and M/Y ALEGRÍA. Oscar is always there to ensure a safe and pleasant charter broth the guests and crew. Oscar is dedicated to his work in the yachting industry as he loves all of the opportunities it provides and the different people he is able to meet.

In his spare time, Oscar loves reading, and playing sports, videogames, and chess. Oscar is excited to welcome guests onboard KASHMIR for a sweet escape.

Matthew Yeoman | Deckhand
Education/Certifications: Associates Degree: Community Leadership, Bachelor’s Degree: Communication, USCG 100T, STCW, AEC1, VPDSD
Languages: English, Basic American Sign Language

Matthew grew up in Annapolis, Maryland before moving to Newport, Rhode Island in his later childhood. With living so close to the ocean and his parents being professional sailors, they constantly had Matthew on the water with them, racing sailboats in the evenings and on weekends. Yachting first grabbed Matthew’s attention after delivering a 70’ race boat from Miami to Newport. Prior to yachting, he was a Snowcat Grooming Operator at the Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado. Matthew brings the fun and smiles to every charter. He is the life of the party and won’t hesitate to challenge guests to a sing off or dance competition. Matthew also says that he can teach guests how to play a mean game of corn hole. Ensuring an unforgettable experience, leaving with nothing but endless stories to tell is what Matthew stives to provide for everyone on board.
When he is not around the water, Matthew likes to say he is half mountain goat. He loves backcountry skiing, hiking, camping, off road adventures, shooting sports and motorcycle rides through the winding mountain roads. One of his greatest passions is Alpine Skiing.