GIOIA Yacht Charter

Captain: David Davidson

David Davidson – Captain, British

David Davidson was born in London, UK, but grew up sailing on the south coast of England at weekends. He obtained his Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate at the age of 15.

After university, he joined the City of London Stock Market as a Market Maker but, after a few years, realized that his love of the outdoors and the sea was more suited to him.

Following three years as a professional sailor, in 1999 he began studying for his Commercial Masters License, which he obtained in 2001. He immediately joined a 45-metre motor yacht as Captain. After 25 years of commanding some of the most remarkable yachts, he has never looked back and still enjoys all that life as a Yacht Captain brings — from the people he meets to the places he visits.

Davidson’s hobbies include marlin fishing (having caught a 1,300lb blue marlin in the Azores), flying (he has owned and displayed ex-military fast jets and aerobatic aircraft), spending time with his family (he has two sons now at university in the UK), and keeping fit (having competed in triathlons and marathons).

Patrice Stephan – Chief Engineer, French

Born and raised in Brittany, France, in a fisherman’s family, Patrice Stephan developed an early love for the ocean. As a teenager, he studied marine engineering, later pursuing business studies before working as a broker in the south of France for five years. Eventually, he returned to his engineering roots.

With 13 years in yachting, Stephan has sailed mainly in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and along the southeast coast of America. In his free time, he enjoys riding his motorbike, surfing, and traveling, and he has a strong interest in all forms of motorsport.

Jonathan Reyburn – First Officer, South African

Jonathan Reyburn grew up in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and began his yachting career in 2007. Since then, he has worked on a variety of yachts and traveled extensively for his work. He enjoys being outdoors, staying active, and participating in all types of water sports.

In his spare time, Reyburn enjoys running, going to the gym, cycling, reading, and practicing guitar and piano.

Oscar Bishop – Bosun, British

Oscar Bishop, a 24-year-old from England, has a passion for the sea, traveling, and snowboarding in his free time.

He has been working at sea for five years and has traveled all over the world, from the Pacific to the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Suné Coetzer – Deckhand, South African

Suné Coetzer grew up on the west coast of South Africa and joined the yachting industry in 2020, bringing with her experience on various vessel sizes. She has a deep love for the ocean and for travel, making the industry a perfect fit.

A qualified jetski instructor, Coetzer enjoys all types of watersports. Her hobbies include photography, video editing, and making campfires, often accompanied by listening to country music.

Stephane Desormiere – Chef, French

Before joining the yachting industry, Stephane Desormiere spent sixteen years working in top-quality restaurants, training in classic French cuisine. As a private chef, he has since explored and mastered various other cooking styles.

His passion for cooking began during his teenage apprenticeship years, after which he traveled the world, working across Europe in countries such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, England, and France.

Following his time in Europe, Desormiere moved to Canada, where he worked as a pastry chef for nearly three years. One of his fondest memories from that time was winning a gold medal for his sugar work at a culinary competition in Alberta.