SIETE MARES

CAPTAIN: Tiago Farto Silva

Tiago was born in Lisbon and grew up in Peniche, a surf town on Portugal’s west coast. From a young age he was drawn to the water—sailing optimists and 420s, surfing, and swimming whenever he could. In his twenties, he worked as a surf instructor at Baleal Surfcamp, teaching both kids and adults from all over Europe how to catch their first wave. He later studied at the Nautical University in Lisbon, earning a degree in Nautical Sciences before joining the Norwegian merchant navy as a deck officer. His career took him across the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic aboard chemical tankers, seismic vessels, and ROV ships. In 2019, Tiago returned to Europe and began working charters in Greece and Croatia, and it also brought him to Tahiti and the Caribbean. He loves that chartering allowed him to bring together many of his passions—instructing, navigating, exploring, and life on the water—and he’s been doing it ever since. Having spent most of his life at sea, Tiago is a confident and experienced captain who enjoys sharing his knowledge and showing others the beauty of life on the ocean. Calm, capable, and deeply experienced, Tiago makes every guest feel safe, relaxed, and well taken care of.

C E R T I F I C A T E S
• RYA Yacht Master
• Ocean Skipper
• Master of Yachts 200 GT Unlimited (MCA)
• OOW 500+ GT
• GMDSS Operator
• Dynamic Positioning Operator
• STCW Instructor
• Helicopter landing officer
• First Aid Certified
• Firefighting Certified
• Helicopter Underwater Escape Training
• ENG1


CHEF: Maxime Hughes

Raised along the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Maxime’s affinity for the ocean naturally evolved into a career at sea. With a strong background in hospitality and formal culinary training in Cape Town, she brings a refined yet adaptable approach to her role as a yacht chef. Her experience includes over 75,000 nautical miles sailed, a global circumnavigation, and participation in prestigious events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Oyster World Rally and Oyster Regattas, journeys that have shaped her globally inspired culinary style. She has catered to high-profile and discerning guests in exclusive settings, requiring both discretion and precision at the highest level. Maxime’s cuisine is ingredient driven, elegant, and thoughtfully executed, reflecting a balance of technical precision and creativity. Known for her composure under pressure and intuitive guest awareness, she delivers a seamless and highly personalised dining experience.

C E R T I F I C A T E S
• IYT Professional Yacht Chef Culinary Course
• SYCA Super Yacht Chef Culinary Course
• Yacht Stewardess Course
• Food Hygiene & Safety Level 3
• STCW & PDSD
• MSOS Proficiency in Medical First Aid
• ENG1
• The Nutrition Institute Diploma
• Hospitality Management Diploma
• Events Management Diploma


FIRST MATE: Dylon Holm

Driven by a deep love for people and the ocean, Dylon joined the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) as a Volunteer Rescue Crew member and Class 4 Coxswain. His hands-on experience includes medical evacuations, surf rescues, CPR, and ensuring safety in high-pressure maritime environments. Whether swimming, bodyboarding, or simply keeping watch from a distance, Dylon is always focused on helping others enjoy their holiday safely. His background in bartending, customer relation allow him to create memorable, well-managed experiences—balancing fun with a quiet commitment to safety and care. With Dylon, every trip is not only enjoyable and engaging, but also supported by the calm confidence of someone who knows how to keep people safe without ever getting in the way of the moment. 

C E R T I F I C A T E S
• STCW
• Designated Security Duties Certificate
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• Elementary First Aid
• Personal Survival Techniques
• Power Boat Level 2
• ENG 1
• Class 4 Coxswain/Rescue Crew


YACHT HOST: Jessica Wells

Jessica grew up on the wild and beautiful Vancouver Island in Canada, where her love for nature and the ocean was fostered through hiking adventures and endless hours spent in the water. After years in the service industry and a life-changing solo trip to Central America, she discovered diving and committed herself to exploring the ocean, community work, and environmental care. 
For the past six years, Jessica has worked as a dive instructor in the Caribbean and Mexico, with the last two years in the British Virgin Islands, earning her Elite 100 status from PADI in 2023. 
During her time in Mexico , she worked as a hostess on the diving live-aboard Belle Amie, where she provided exceptional service to guests while managing all aspects of interior duties, assisting with diving operations, and ensuring safety on trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago. In 2024, she joined the yachting industry, completing an Atlantic crossing on a 62ft Sunreef from the BVI to Naples, Italy. She led the team in provisioning and made significant contributions to cooking, cleaning, and watch duties during the 34-day, 4000 NM journey, which solidified her desire to work on sailboats. With over 2000 dives ranging from Caribbean reefs to deep Pacific dives with sharks and oceanic manta rays, Jessica is passionate about curating personalized, memorable experiences and is dedicated to sharing the beauty of the Caribbean islands, both above and below the water.

C E R T I F I C A T E S
• STCW'10
• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
• PADI Specialty Instructor 
• Emergency First Response Instructor
• Care for Children Instructor