CAPTAIN RAY SHORE

Ray was born in Newport, Rhode Island where he began a yachting career on launches. He steadily continued his climb up the yachting ladder by serving as deck crew and mate on various yachts, eventually earning his 1600 Ton Oceans Master license. He has been with the EXCELLENCE program since 1989, playing a major role in the building of EXCELLENCE II, III, IV and V! Yachting has taken him to many parts of the world, with extensive time spent in the Mediterranean, New England, and the Caribbean. The immense knowledge and experience gained through these travels enables Ray to offer an array of possible itineraries as well as a pleasurable cruise. Ray is also a family man, with wife Maria, and their 4 wonderful children based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

MATT ARTRIP – FIRST OFFICER

Having grown up in Southern Illinois, Matt always had a passion and desire to be closer to the water. After attending Winthrop University in South Carolina on a soccer and academic scholarship, Matt graduated in 2004 with his Bachelors in Business Administration with a focus in Finance. Upon completing College, he jilted Graduate School and joined the M/Y EXCELLENCE III (188ft/57m) as a deckhand and has never looked back. Matt now holds a United States Coast Guard 1600gt/3000grt Master's Open Oceans License and has cruised the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska, British Columbia, US East and West Coast, Central America, Galapagos and French Polynesia upon various yachts. His goal is to provide guests a pleasurable and unforgettable experience while onboard EXCELLENCE V.

RASMUS KJAER – CHIEF ENGINEER

Danish Ras was born and raised by the sea, discovering a love of sailing at the tender age of 6. Starting with dinghy sailing, Ras progressed to European, Finn, Dragon, H-Boats, Banner, and X yachts, before switching to Maxi yacht racing. When not sailing he spent his childhood years playing at the local port and making his pocket money helping the fisherman with maintenance and odd jobs aboard fishing trawlers. A naturally talented sea-goer, Ras chose to build a career in the marine industry. Beginning with an apprenticeship in Industrial Engineering, he studied hard to achieve a Masters in Electrical Engineering. After graduating, Ras worked for a number of years building oil rigs and drill ships in Norway. Later, he scored a job on Wally’s crown jewel Maxi racer. In 1999 Ras found himself ready for a new challenge and moved to the super yacht industry. Since then he has worked on yachts such as M/Y Ultima III (188ft/57m A&R) and M/Y Perfect Persuasion (150ft/46m), before joining M/Y EXCELLENCE III (188ft/57m) in 2007.

CREW PROFILE

PAULA BALLARD – CHIEF STEWARDESS

Paula comes from the seaside town of Goolwa, located in South Australia. Having grown up by the ocean and immersed in the Hospitality and Tourism industry, the logical progression was to obtain a degree in International Hotel Management whilst working at the 5 star Hyatt Hotel in Adelaide. In May 2004 she decided to combine her passion for hospitality management and traveling by joining M/Y Paraffin (197ft/60m Feadship). In 2005, Paula was asked to join the M/Y Fortunato (204ft/62m Feadship) team where she steadily rose the ranks to Chief Stewardess in an impressive 7 year tenure. A true professional, Paula maintains an immaculate interior and ensures the highest level of service is provided to guests onboard EXCELLENCE V. Paula has a passion for food & wine and in her spare time enjoys being with family and friends.

REMO MAUTE – HEAD CHEF

Executive Chef Remo grew up in Zurich. After gaining 10 years experience in 4 and 5 star hotels in Switzerland, he discovered his true passion - cooking on board Luxury Yachts. Aboard his first yacht (a 197 ft/60m exploration vessel), he cruised the Caribbean, Central America and Eastern Pacific Sea. His second Super Yacht, based in the south of France, travelled throughout the Mediterranean and allowed Remo to explore every port to find the freshest of natural ingredients for his gourmet creations. He joined M/Y D’Natalin II after winning 3rd prize at the Premier World Yacht Chef Cup, held at the International Boat Show in Fort Lauderdale. Chef Remo specialises in Mediterranean Cuisine but loves to prepare exotic dishes too – saying “I’m learning something new every day!” Remo joined M/Y EXCELLENCE III in 2007 and is thrilled to continue pleasing every gourmet desire of the guests aboard M/Y EXCELLENCE V.

JOHN F DWYER – BOSUN

John was raised in little Compton, Rhode Island. Growing up in the Ocean State he quickly developed a passion for the sea. He attended Rhode Island College and graduated in 2008 with degrees in Geography and Anthropology. Fascinated by the prospect of visiting different regions of the world he joined M/Y EXCELLENCE III (188ft/57m A&R) in early 2009. He has been with the EXCELLENCE program for over 3 years during which he has cruised the Mediterranean and Caribbean. John holds a USCG 100 ton Master's and Able Body Seamen's license. In his spare time, John enjoys hiking, water sports and anything involving the great outdoors.

RUAN BOTHA – 2ND ENGINEER - PROFILE COMING SOON

LAUREN KELLY– 2ND STEWARDESS

Lauren was born and raised on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. After living beachside all her life, she diecided it was time to see the world and relocated to London where she worked as a Personal Assistant for a Private Accounting firm for 2 years. After traveling most of Europe she decided to try her hand in yachting and packed up her flat and traveled to Florida.

With her 5 years experience in the industry Lauren began on smaller yachts before joining M.Y. Fortunato in 2009 (62m Feadship) as 2nd Stewardess. After 1 year on board she moved onto M.Y. Seven Seas (86m Oceanco) where she was employed as Head of Service for 2 years. SHe is now excited to join the team on M.Y. EXCELLENCE ensuring a memorable experience for all guests. Lauren enjoys traveling, and has a passion fo rart - she loves sketching and painting.

SEBASTIAN SPRINGER– SOUS CHEF

Sebastian hails from Koblenz, Germany, though he considers himself African at heart. His tenure in Deutschland was short, as he imigrated to South Africa before his first birthday eventually resideing in Cape Town. His love for cooking bega at a young age, which led to his first chef's position at a local seaside restaurant. Ten years later, he still maintains a passion and desire towards the culinary arts.

After graduating from South Peninsula College with a Degree in Marketing and seeking a new challenge, Sebastian decided to enter the yachting industry landing his first job on board the M.Y. Mustique (54m Trinity)

KIM CAMPBELL – STEWARDESS

Born and educated in South Africa, Kim decided to see more of the world after finishing her business science degree at the University of Cape Town. Leaving her hometown of Durban with a friend at the beginning of 2012, they headed for Monaco where they both started their yachting careers.

After saving enough money, Kim was able to leave the Mediterranean and travel from Europe through to Asia; even making it to Everest Base Camp en route. But her love of yachting drew her back to explore the opportunities in the Caribbean and to her joining the crew of EXCELLENCE V.

Adventurouse by nature, Kim loves traveling, meeting new people, visiting new places and generally gaining as much experience of the world as possible.

TRACI ROBERTSON - STEWARDESS

West Coast Traci grew up in the San Francisco Bay area of California. Education earned her an impressive Bachelor of Sciences degree in a Business management.

Early 2011, a close friend introduced Traci to the yachting industry. Keen to take on a new challenge, Traci headed for Fort Lauderdale and threw herself in to training (Silver Service, American Yacht Institute) and learning as much as possible about becoming a stewardess. Her eagerness paid off and she was hired as a trainee stewardess aboard M.Y EXCELLENCE III (57m A&R) after completing a Mediterranean season she was asked to join aboard EXCELLENCE V.

Traci enjoys cooking and is a keen swimmer- not only practicing to perfect her strokes but also teaching children to swim. Future plans include furthering her educaiton with an MBA degree.

New to the yachting industry, Lauren grew up in a small coastal town near Port Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia. It is here where she developed a strong love for the ocean and fittingly now very excited to begin her new career path and new adventures on board the M.Y. EXCELLENCE V. After high school Lauren took some time out to travel throughout Europe before coming back home to study early childhood. Her last three and half years have been spent as a pre-school teacher gaining valuable experience looking after children from infant to five years of age. Not only is she fantastic with children, she has also had the opportunity to gain hospitality experience working in numerous bars and restaurans while partaking in her studies.

With Lauren's positive attitude and friendly personality, she hopes to combine her love of traveling and meeting new people to give the guests on board M.Y. EXCELLENCE V a memorable and enjoyable time.

LAUREN MURPHY– STEWARDESS

JOSEPH BAIRD - DECKHAND

Originally from Wakefield, Massachusetts, Joey and his father moved to the Florida Keys when he was a boy. After finishing high school in Key West, he attended the local Community College to pursue a firefighting career but soon realized that the water is where he was meant to be. Inspired, Joey started working in the marine industry on small charter boats in the Key West area.

In 2008, a family friend tipped him off about the super yacht industry. Joey left Key West behind him to follow his dream of one day running a yacht in the Florida Keys. Joey joined the EXCELLENCE program in 2009. He recently acquired his 200 ton mates license and became a big step closer to his Captain’s license.

Joey has cruised the US East Coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea also logging four trans Atlantic crossings. Joey's enthusiasm and professionalism is a welcomed asset to the EXCELLENCE V team!

JONATHAN WHALEN - DECKHAND

Jonathan hails from the small town of Rocky Hill in Connecticut. Growing up, he developed a passion for action sports including snowboarding and rock climbing. He also had a love for the water, which eventually led him to obtain a swim instructors position teaching children the basics at a local town pool.

After completing high school, Jonathan pursued a Bachelors Degree in Criminology at Central Connecticut State University. Throughout college, he worked at the local snowboard shop continuing his passion for the sport.

Upon graduation and yearning for a new adventure and opportunity to see the world, Jon pursued a Deckhand position on board the M.Y. EXCELLENCE V where his goal is to ensure guests a wonderful and memorable experience.

AUSTIN JEZAK - DECKHAND

Austin was born in Little Compton, RI a small fishing village on the southeastern most tip of the state. Growing up on the water, he developed his passion for the sea at an early age by sailing with his father on the Sakonnet River and neighboring Narragansett Bay. After high school Austin attended Salve Regina University in Newport, RI where he studied accounting and played football. Austin elected to further his studies at Salve Regina and pursued an MBA in management. Upon graduating he worked in Boston, MA as a risk manager for nearly two years. He has recently left the city life to get back to his roots.

Austin looks forward to providing outstanding client satisfaction combined with a delightful experience on board EXCELLENCE V!