DEBORAH ANNE

*Ivan & Matea are the confirmed crew for the 2026/2027 season!*
Working together as a team for 3+ Years

“We are a hardworking Captain & Chef team who genuinely love sailing. That's the reason we chose this profession. Our goal is to help every guest fall in love with sailing the same way we have, while making them feel safe, relaxed, and completely stress-free throughout their charter. Having worked together for more than three years, we have developed a seamless way of working as a team. We are reliable, easy to work with, and take great pride in caring for every yacht as if it were our own.”

Captain Ivan Ivicek

Born and raised in Croatia, Ivan’s connection to the sea began at an early age. His father introduced him to sailing on the family’s small sailboat, where he spent countless summers exploring the coastline. When they weren’t sailing, Ivan could often be found fishing alongside his grandfather on his small fishing boat, developing a lifelong appreciation for the ocean.

Years later, after spending a week sailing through the Croatian islands, Ivan rediscovered that passion and realized life on the water was exactly where he wanted to be. Following university, he immersed himself in competitive sailing, racing in regattas before turning his passion into a full-time career as a professional skipper.

For Ivan, sailing is much more than navigating from one destination to another, it’s about meeting people from all over the world, exploring incredible places, and creating experiences that guests will remember long after their vacation ends. Calm, approachable, and always happy to share his knowledge, he enjoys helping guests feel at home on board, whether they’re looking to learn the basics of sailing, discover beautiful anchorages, or simply relax and enjoy life at sea.

Chef Matea Fitz

Born and raised in the Croatian countryside, Matea’s love for cooking began at an early age in her grandmother’s garden. Watching fresh fruits and vegetables grow before helping turn them into meals shared around the family table taught her that food is about so much more than eating, that it has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.

After spending her summers by the sea, she naturally combined her two greatest passions and began the journey of a yacht chef, where she loves creating unforgettable dining experiences that perfectly complement life on board.

With university background in nutrition and professional experience in fine dining kitchens, Matea brings creativity and genuine care to every meal she prepares. She enjoys discovering new ingredients and flavors while tailoring every menu to her guests’ tastes and dietary preferences.

Whether it’s a relaxed breakfast at anchor, a beautifully presented lunch after a swim, or a sunset dinner on deck, she takes great joy in creating meals that bring people together and become some of the most memorable moments of a holiday on board.