Your Crew
CAPTAIN Hazel Ochoa & MATE/CHEF Jacolet Van Eeden
Born in the vibrant city of Medellin, Colombia, Hazel’s life took a tropical twist when his family moved to the serene coastal town of Capurgana. With the Caribbean waves lapping at his doorstep, Hazel’s love for the ocean grew as he freedived, spearfished, and hung out with local fishermen like it was his job—which, eventually, it became!
Hazel dabbled in statistics at university, but when life threw a curveball, he returned to his seaside roots, ready to chart a new course—this time on the ocean itself. Local day charters became his launchpad, and after saving every penny he made, he jumped aboard a passing sailboat, leaving Colombia behind for Panama and the wide, wide world.
Panama offered Hazel his first taste of professional yachting, from boatyard grunt work to deckhand and chef duties. Soon enough, he earned his 200T Captain’s license in Panama—right before COVID hit. When the world paused, Hazel didn’t: instead, he joined Sea Shepherd, where he protected marine life, did scientific research, and learned to fix anything that needed fixing on a boat.
After three action-packed years of eco-adventures, Hazel returned to the Caribbean, diving into the charter world and fine-tuning his skills as a captain. And then, destiny called—he met Chef Yah Yah. The two bonded over their meticulous nature and passion for hard work. Soon, they were not only crewmates but travel buddies, visiting 12 countries in pursuit of their Yacht Master and Dive Master certifications. Now, they’re a dynamic duo on the high seas, living their ocean dream!
Hailing from a self-sustaining farm in the breathtaking Cape Town region of South Africa, Chef Yah Yah didn’t just learn how to cook—she was practically born with a wooden spoon in her hand! Under the watchful eye of her nanny, Yah Yah mastered the kitchen, making everything from cheese to preserves, pickles to baked goods. By age six, she was selling her creations at the local farmers market like a pro.
With a family farm bordering the ocean, Yah Yah’s culinary passions expanded beyond the kitchen. Days were spent foraging for seafood along the coast and cooking her fresh catch over a beachside fire—a true farm-to-table experience! Her natural talent and love for crafting meals from scratch make her a force in the kitchen, while her adventurous spirit matches the thrill of life on the water.
From her humble beginnings to traveling the world with Captain Hazel, Yah Yah is always up for a challenge. Together, they’ve set sail on new horizons, ready to welcome guests aboard with mouthwatering dishes and unforgettable stories. Whether it’s a perfectly seared catch of the day or homemade pastries, Chef Yah Yah ensures every meal is an adventure of its own!
Captain Hazel Ochoa
MARINE QUALIFICATIONS:
PADI DIVEMASTER
RYA YACHT MASTER OFFSHORE WITH COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT
STCW 95
ENG1
Chef Jacolet (Yah Yah) Van Eeden
QUALIFICATIONS:
CERTIFICATE IN ADVANCED COOKERY
MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY
LEVEL II WINE APPRECIATION
RYA YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE WITH COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT
PADI DIVEMASTER
FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE II
STCW 95
ENG1
June 2026 BVI Charter
Captain Hazel & Yah Yah,<br />
<br />
Thank you both for such an amazing sailing adventure through the BVI’s. Your hospitality, professionalism, and attention to every detail made this trip truly unforgettable.<br />
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The food was outstanding, the snorkeling incredible, and every destination seemed more beautiful than the last. Sandy Spit was my personal favorite — a picture-perfect paradise that I’ll never forget.<br />
<br />
I also want to thank you for making my 60th birthday celebration so special. The birthday cake was delicious. Your thought and effort meant a great deal to me.<br />
<br />
Thanks for creating such a fun, relaxing, and memorable experience. We will cherish these memories from this trip for years to come and hope to sail with you both again someday.<br />
<br />
May God bless you both, and we pray that all your hopes and dreams come true.<br />
<br />
If you ever come our way, please come see us or plan a trip to visit. We will let you sleep in and serve you Hazel O’s.<br />
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Much love,<br />
<br />
- Paula & Danny<br />
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Hazel & Yah Yah<br />
<br />
I don’t know where to begin. Yes — the food, stops and hospitality were superb. However, your true spirit and generous time with us made this trip the BEST I have ever had.<br />
<br />
Thank you just isn’t enough (Hazel — the G.O.A.T.!)<br />
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May all your dreams come true.<br />
<br />
God Bless,<br />
<br />
- Christy and Jimmy<br />
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Hazel and Yah Yah,<br />
<br />
Thank you both for an amazing trip. You both were so nice to help me feel so comfortable on the boat.<br />
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I wish you both the best in life. The food and company was wonderful. You both did everything to make me feel safe getting on and off that dinghy. Everything was beautiful and top notch!<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
- Kelly & Jeff <br />
<br />
June 2026 BVI Charter
Thank you so much for making this the most amazing trip!! Every detail and aspect was perfect or above and beyond. Every anchoring/mooring spot 10/10! Every dive 10/10! Every drink, meal, snack, dessert 100000/10! You were the most amazing, wonderful crew. Please do this forever so we can keep coming back!<br />
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— Savannah<br />
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Thank you so very much for making this trip so special for me and my family. We truly had the best time and it was so memorable and relaxing and funny thanks to you guys! Diving was incredible! The food was awesome!!!! Drinks too; I was blown away! We’ll cherish ScubaDoo & y’all forever!<br />
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Many thanks,<br />
<br />
— Lily<br />
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Hazel & Yah Yah,<br />
<br />
You are such a sweet couple and truly skilled at what you do!! You made this trip everything and more than we ever expected. ScubaDoo is so comfortable, and the food was beyond amazing.<br />
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Every mooring spot was perfection, the dives amazing, the cocktails so delicious!!<br />
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Hazel, your sense of humor was so subtle — I had fun watching the kids try to figure it out. <br />
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We got to do everything on our wish list and more, and it never felt rushed. This is the most relaxing, beautiful, pampered trip I’ve ever taken!<br />
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Thank you so much for taking such excellent care of us all. And thank you for having the scooter — it made snorkeling possible for me, and that’s one of my most favorite things to do.<br />
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Many thanks!!<br />
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— Ann Marie