NERO Yacht Crew
NERO Yacht Crew
NERO boasts a dedicated captain and crew of 20, including a personal trainer, beautician, masseuse and spa staff, and a Michelin-level culinary team. NERO’s staff are experienced yachting professionals who, in addition to their formal roles, are dedicated to providing unrivalled hospitality to all her guests. A NERO voyage is much more than luxury yachting — it’s a holistic, opulent experience you’ll never forget.
NERO Captain - Marcel Busse
Credentials
- Master of Yachts <3,000 GT
- PADI Open Water Diver
- Certificate in Hotel Management
Previous Vessels
- M/Y Seahorse (52m)
- M/Y Amadeus (70m)
- M/Y Summerwind (44m)
- M/Y Noble House (54m)
Captain Marcel Busse grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. Marcel later moved to Knysna where he graduated from school, studied marketing management, and served in the army. After studying hotel management, Busse became a manager at Protea Hotels and Shandelier Businessman’s Hotel group.
In 1994, Marcel moved to Holland to begin a career at an iconic architecture and design firm. His work brought him to a St. Tropez villa construction project, where his interest in the yachting industry grew, aligning with his years of sailing experience and passion for hospitality. He soon became involved in yachting, working his way to captain of several motor yachts. Busse endeavors to provide an unrivaled and adventurous experience aboard NERO.
NERO Relief Captain - David Pidgeon
Credentials
- Master of Commerce (Honours)
- Bachelor of Laws
- Master of Yachts <3,000 GT
Previous Vessels
- M/Y Meamina (59m)
- M/Y Lady Ann Magee (49m)
- M/Y Va Bene (48m)
Relief Captain David Pidgeon was born in Auckland, New Zealand. David began sailing in his teenage years through the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth Training Programme. He later studied law at the University of Auckland and practiced commercial law for four years before earning a Master of Commerce degree.
David discovered the yachting industry in 2002 while in the south of France and began his career as a deckhand, eventually working up to captain. Pigeon has 15 years of charter yacht experience, including an Atlantic crossing and 2 Suez Canal to Indian Ocean crossings in armed naval convoys.
NERO Chief Stewardess - Natalie Dixon
Credentials
- Diploma in Health & Skincare
Previous Vessels
- M/Y TITANIA (73m)
Chief Stewardess Natalie Dixon was born and raised in Wirral, England, and at the age of two, she took up ballet and tap dancing. Throughout her teen years, she continued participating in the performing arts, and she was even a member of a girl band called “Fusion.”
After leaving school, Natalie found her love for the beauty industry and became a fully qualified beauty therapist and nail technician. She spent five years working in Cape Town, South Africa, before pursuing a career in yachting. Her inspiration came from her grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy. Natalie puts her creative mind and keen eye for detail to use on the NERO Yacht regularly. She loves hosting fun guest activities and isn’t afraid to sing karaoke or dance for the entertainment of her guests.
NERO Head Chef - Stephen Paskins
Credentials
- NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation
- GVVQ Foundation in Hospitality & Catering
Previous Vessels
- M/Y LUREN L (90m)
- M/Y IDYNASTY (100m)
- M/Y AXIOMA (72m)
Head Chef Stephen Paskins has been a professional chef for over 20 years and has worked in acclaimed Michelin Star and AA Rosette restaurants in London for more than 18 years. For the last five years, Stephen has been busy cooking on private and chartered yachts on the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and the east coast of the USA. One of his proudest achievements was winning the Genoa Boat Show cooking competition in 2018 in the large boat category.
Stephen’s dishes aren’t the only thing that packs a punch. He’s also an avid boxer, and he competed semi-professionally during his former years. Enthusiastic about food both on and off the clock, Stephen prefers to carry cooking utensils and books with him when he travels, as he considers them essential items. For him, cooking is both a profession and a lifestyle. Guests will find that his passion for the culinary arts shines through in all of his dishes.
NERO Purser/Concierge - Joey Ferro
Credentials
- BSc Psychology
- PYA Purser Course
- (CIPD) – Certificate in HR Practice
Previous Vessels
- M/Y C2 (86m)
- M/Y PLVS VLTRA (73m)
- M/Y VIRGINIAN (62m)
After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Hull, Purser/Concierge Joey Ferro returned to his hometown of Gibraltar to begin a career in the banking and finance industry. After eight years of paper pushing, Joey decided to leave his desk job behind to start a photography and videography company. The career move allowed him to develop a new skill set, express himself creatively, and appreciate the value of meaningful work.
Soon after, a friend introduced him to yachting, an industry he previously knew nothing about. After spending a year researching the industry, Joey decided to sell his belongings and move to Antibes, France, with hopes of landing a yachting job. Over the course of five years, he quickly moved up the ranks from service steward to chief steward to purser/concierge. While he loves the daily challenges, the people, and the lifestyle, Joey finds that making an impact on others is the most rewarding part of his career.