Andy brings a wealth of maritime knowledge, expertise and a sense of adventure with over 25 years of experience on board sailing vessels. With many ocean and sea miles as Captain and Engineer aboard private and charter yachts up to 57m, you shall feel that you are in safe hands. In his spare time, Andy enjoys mountain biking, hiking and spending time with family. He is a qualified diver and a talented singer and enjoys creative feature gardening. Andy and the caring Diana crew always ensure that their guests receive first-class service and have the most memorable stay on board Luxury Yacht Diana.
Lieze is an optimistic individual who is caring and devoted to offering excellent service to all guests. Lieze started her career at sea in 2009, working on cruise ships. For the past four years, she has been working on sailing yachts and loving every moment. Lieze is a qualified sports massage therapist who will soothe those tight and sore muscles and will transport you to a state of zen. She loves physical activities and sports, and when not at work Lieze can be found on her yoga mat or power walking on deck. Lieze loves spending time with family and friends. Recently she has adopted two rescue puppies which mean the world to her.
Miranda grew up on the south coast of England with a passion for nature and outdoor adventures. She learned to sail at an early age, later going on to crew bigger boats while also pursuing other activities including surfing, kayaking and volleyball. Over the past ten years of expeditions and travel around the world, Miranda's curiosity and experience of different food and cuisines have flourished. Formerly a professional Biologist and Ecologist (MRes, BSc), Miranda is now a full-time private chef combining her two favourite things: cooking delicious food and sailing the world. Her love for the natural environment brings with it a focus on healthy, local and high-quality ingredients often inspired by the local people and culture. Miranda is a skilled, enthusiastic and attentive chef who is passionate about creating delicious food that delights and inspires. When not busy in the galley, she is likely to be found exploring the local food market, in the sea or getting stuck into jobs with the rest of the crew.
Andrew's sailing began at 8 years old on the rough tidal waters of the UK and since then he’s sailed to the far horizons. Schooling has given him a broad and in-depth understanding of the natural world with expertise in Geography (BSc.), Geology (OU) and Exploration Geophysics (MSc.). He combined this education with professional yachting qualifications to become an accomplished world sailor and master yachtsman. Andrew has navigated 50,000NM of the ocean on luxury performance super yachts from the edge of the Arctic Circle to the South Pacific as crew and Captain, often running charters in very remote locations. Andrew has an emphasis on over-preparedness, professionalism and safety as a top priority. He has many years of sailing in exotic, faraway places including the distant shores of French Polynesia and will always ensure clients are well looked after and in safe hands. Andrew truly loves to take guests into the magic of this sailing world and show them something new; whether that be with sailing, surfing, SUP, wakeboarding, scuba diving, snorkelling or land excursions so that everybody gains the most from their trip with him. He is an enthusiastic kite surfer and, as a qualified IKO instructor for nearly 20 years he has helped clients to accomplish their dream of starting to ride.
With over 200,000 miles as either crew or skipper over a 30 year career on a wide variety of yachts, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the DIANA operation. Ian has sailed extensively around the world working with a range of guests and owners, predominantly throughout the Pacific with a number of years spent exploring the many islands of French Polynesia and Fiji. Ian’s exceptional foresight, local knowledge and attention to detail means that every journey with DIANA is impeccably planned creating perfectly tailored itineraries for his guests. Ian operates with the highest level of discretion, integrity and professionalism.
Ian is a certified PADI dive instructor and although in most locations a local guide is legally required, Ian can assist in dive charters sharing his insight and technical support. When he’s not managing shoreside responsibilities or sailing aboard DIANA, Ian can be found scuba diving, fishing and spear fishing or hosting guests with his wife at their Luxury Lodge in New Zealand.
Ian is English speaking with a very good level of conversational French.
Though Ian is primarily based ashore these days, he is always on call to assist where needed and operates as relief captain for charters during Captain Nate’s downtime.
