CAPTAIN Nicole Fawcett & CHEF Jesse Ross

Nicole Fawcett - Captain
Education/ Certifications: USCG MASTER 1600/3000 GT Ocenans, USCG TOWING, MCA 200 GT Master, GMDSS | Marine Radio Operator Permit, STCW95 | PADI Dive Master, PADI Rescue Diver | PADI Nitrox Certification, CPR & First Aid Certification, Advanced Medical, Advanced Firefighting, Advanced Radar Unlimited, Terrestrial Navigation, ARPA, Advanced Metrology, Proficiency in Survival Craft & Lifeboats, RFPNW, Bridge Management Resource, ABLE Bodied Seaman
Languages: English
Nationality: American

Nicole was born and raised in Woodbine, Maryland on a 1,000 acre farm – the largest dairy farm in the state. She is an experienced captain with 17 years in a leadership & management role in the marine industry. An adventurous outdoor explorer and avid diver, Nicole spent nine years as a dive boat captain and has also lived in California and Maui. In 2010 Nicole moved into the yachting industry and has since built reputable, award-winning charter programs with high praises from both guests and crew. She has been captain of 230’ HORIZONS III, 160’ CHASSEUR, 154’ USHER, and more. Nicole believes that by meticulously maintaining a vessel, hiring the right crew, and properly training them in their job, a high expectation of service and experience can be met for owners and their guests. A balance of ensuring a safe and efficiently running vessel with a focus towards hospitality is the best foundation for a successful yacht charter program.

Nicole was most recently the first female captain of a Lurssen built yacht. She is a trusted, communicative captain, who is committed to instilling a family-like atmosphere. Constantly working to make crew feel valued is apparent by the long tenure of many of her crew members and in turn leads to a great guest experience. Nicole maintains a high standard of service and listens intently to fully understand what each guest is requesting and pulls out all the stops to make it happen!

Described by crew members as determined, strong, devoted, approachable, honest, loving, Nicole welcomes all guests aboard AUDACES for a one-of-a-kind experience.


Kerrigan Mason - Chief Stewardess
Nationality: American

Kerrigan was born and raised in Stuart, a beautiful seaside town located on the East Coast of Florida, renowned for its beautiful scenery. Kerrigan spent most of her childhood immersed in the sea. With her passion for the ocean, travel, and hospitality she decided the yachting industry would be the perfect fi t. She even attended private one on one butler training in London. Over the last 6 years Kerrigan has worked on private yachts ranging from 130ft-250ft. Kerrigan enjoys challenge and takes pride in providing excellent service on board. In her free time, she enjoys fashion, interior design and spending time with family and friends.



Second Stew, Chelsea Stander - South African
Chelsea was born and raised on the east coast of Southern Africa, otherwise known as the dolphin coast. Chelsea’s demeanor is as sweet as a chocolate bar, which happens to be her favorite thing to eat. After school Chelsea started working for South Africa’s largest youth music festival while she completed her Bachelor of Commerce degree. Thereafter, she pursued her passion for business and marketing as an Account Manager for Snapchat. Chelsea had a dream to travel which, lead her to take to the yachting industry. Chelsea’s hobbies include, beaching, adventuring and yoga. She is also a sucker for a good girl’s night out or a night in with a good film. Chelsea previously worked for private yacht owners and has been in the industry since early 2021. Chelsea’s versatile background makes her an asset to the team.



Third Stew, Rosa Sabatino – Italian
Rosa grew up in Puerto Cabello – Venezuela. Where she studied Management & Hospitality. After a few years working in the hotel industry, she had the opportunity to move to Nassau, Bahamas where she joined the yachting industry nine years ago. She excels at providing silver service to guests and boasts a strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills. Her upbeat attitude puts smiles on the faces of all on board. In addition to her service skills, Rosa also is a stellar bartender who loves mixing up fun cocktails for guests. She speaks both fluent Spanish and English.



Jesse Ross – Chef
American

Jesse Was born In Long Island New York on the south shore of the island always near the ocean. He began his culinary training and education in New York City where he was fortunate as a young apprentice to work alongside and for some of New York’s top chefs and culinary talent. Since then Jesse has worked and climbed the culinary ladder to be a sous chef at legendary establishments in New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. Jesse made the transition to Yacht chef in 2017 and has not looked back since. He loves to be at sea and put on a memorable culinary performance for all his guests and happy to do so. He has an incredibly positive and energetic attitude with everyone around him and sincerely cares about his team. Jesse also lives a highly active and healthy lifestyle including skating, rollerblading, all beach activities, dancing, and live music just to name a few



Brendan de Harde - First Officer
Nationality: South African

Our Chief Officer, Brendan de Harde, hails from Johannesburg, or “Egoli”, in South Africa, where he grew up and attended St. Stithians Boys College. After high school, Brendan studied advertising and, in late 2009, decided to make a break for the ocean and pursue a career in yachting. Prior to joining Audaces in March 2022, Brendan spent the better part of twelve years working on large charter yachts up to three-hundred feet in length on which he cruised and explored the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Bahamas. In between engagements on yachts, Brendan has spent most of his time completing the required modules to be a competent Chief Mate. Brendan intends on moving forward in the industry and making his way to his Master 3000gt license.
Brendan has a great interest in personal fitness and nutrition. He is a qualified Dive Master. In his spare time, he enjoys staying fi t, snowboarding, wakeboarding, hunting, shooting, playing golf, fishing, spearfishing, and spending time with his beloved bull terrier back in South Africa.



Ivo Prebisalic - Chief Engineer
Nationality: Croatian

Ivo is a fully qualified Commercial Class 1 Chief engineer with over 20 years of experience. He started working in the merchant marines and joined yachting in 1996 working on S/Y Taouey and M/Y Esmeralda. Ivo worked on M/Y Axioma 72 meter and M/Y Dar 90 meter yacht before joining us on-board in March 2022 in West Palm Beach. Although Ivo is from Croatia his home is with his family near Auckland in New Zealand. Ivo’s favorite pastime is deep-sea fishing and he enjoys spending time with his two young daughters when home on leave. Ivo is also fluent in English and Italian.



Benjamin Zinn - Engineer/Deck
South African

Benji is a highly motivated individual with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Having grown up in Cape Town, South Africa in 1998, and holding a dual passport (South African/German), he joined the industry in May 2021 following having completed his four year business degree specializing in marketing and supply chain management. Furthermore, he seeks a unique lifestyle that offers great benefits such as free travel and a social dynamic like no other. Benji has acquired great all-round skills that are inherent for him to ensure each guest has a unique charter experience onboard M/Y Audaces. Passions include surfing, scuba diving, and kitesurfing to name a few.



Tom Cooper - Bosun
New Zealand

Tom was born and raised in the seaside town of Nelson, New Zealand. Growing up by the ocean, Tom fell in love with life on the water and has been pursuing his passion ever since. With a background in construction and a love for playing rugby and hockey. Jumping around the world since the age or 18, Toms favorite place he has been fortunate enough to visit was Antarctica. After five years on his previous boat, Tom took a break to spend some much-needed quality time with family back in New Zealand getting to meet his new niece and nephew. Tom spent five summers in the USA at summer camps before officially joining the yachting world in 2017. Tom is always striving to improve and learn more about his craft and is currently working towards his Officer of the Watch certification. When he's not on duty, you'll find Tom relaxing by watching movies, working out, tinkering or being the first to jump at any adventure that comes his way.