ASPEN ALTERNATIVE Yacht Charter

Captain: Mike

Captain: Mike Frank
Nationality: Australian
Mike originates from the Australian "bush" where his family bred fine wool on the southwestern slopes and tablelands of NSW. He studied Economics at Sydney University, ran the air fares for a commercial Australian airline, and in his spare time flew Cessna’s with his private pilot’s license. He served as an Officer in the R.A.N. on patrol boats, minesweepers and destroyers throughout the Pacific and Asia area.
Yachting has been a lifelong passion for Mike, on both a professional and personal level. His dedication has led to a career of more than 30+ years as a Captain, Manager, Project Manager and Owner’s Representative working with both Private and Charter Motor Yachts up to 240 feet in length. Mike has been in charge of Shipyards, and Yacht Management companies throughout his career.
Mike takes pride in the excess of 400,000 nautical miles that he has sailed whilst in command and has enjoyed the challenge that these miles offered as they extended north of the Arctic Circle, to Europe, the Americas, Asia and into the Great Southern Ocean.
Mike’s love for boats has taken him ocean racing across the globe as sailing master, tactician, and navigator on a variety of sailboats ranging from half tonners to maxi boats, including the 'J' Class 'Shamrock', competing in many world-class regattas and brutal ocean races.
Mike is very active, with his interests which include his family, sailing, swimming, playing golf, fishing, following rugby and traveling.

First Officer: Cameron Marshall
Nationality: South African
Cameron grew up as the son of a wildlife cameraman from South Africa and a talented interior designer mother from New Zealand. His love for the outdoors and nature was instilled in him from a young age, following his father all over Africa from Kenya to Zambia.
Cameron's true passion however has always been the ocean; from surfing to diving to kiteboarding, and spending every possible moment in the ocean. He has over 12 years of game fishing experience and would love to help you catch your dream fish!
With a passion for life at sea, the yachting industry was on obvious choice for him. His journey has taken him from a National Geographic owned research vessel to the Super yachts and he has just completed his Chief Mate 3000 ticket.
He now calls the mountains his home away from water and resides in Whistler, British Columbia where he can be found snowboarding, hiking and biking.

Chief Engineer: Antisa Garma
Nationality: Croatian
Antisa was born in historic and picturesque Croatia where he was raised in the least-inhabited island in the world named Krapanj. With a mechanical he attended Technical College in Sibenik and graduated from the department of Marine Engineering as a Technician.
Antisa has spent five years working in the container ship industry before moving to the offshore industry in 1998. His engineering career has taken him all over the globe and exposed him to many different cultures and people.
In 2016, he decided to make the transition to yachts and has not looked back. Managing engines, all electrical items onboard, generators and all supporting mechanics keeps his days busy. In his free time he likes fishing, traveling and has a great passion for classic cars and loves to cook and socialize and hang out with friends.

Chef: Danny Davies
Nationality: British
Chef Danny Davies has been making waves in the culinary world for over 20 years. His ability to create exquisite meals that are both delicious and visually stunning has earned him a reputation as a true master of his craft.
Born in Great Britain, Chef Davies developed a love for cooking at a young age, and went on to study at one of the UK's top culinary schools. After graduation, he quickly rose through the ranks in the British Armed Forces as a chef, working in some of the most prestigious Royal Regiments in the country.
Chef Danny's true talent for cooking came to the fore when he joined the super yacht industry. His ability to create outstanding meals using the limited resources available on board a yacht has won him accolades from both his peers and clients. His ability to create visually stunning dishes that are both healthy and delicious are documented in his Vegan+ cook book series.
Danny is particularly known for his imaginative and progressive use of social media, with his Instagram @futurechefproject and YouTube channel, ‘Behind the Line with Chef Danny Davies.’

Chief Stewardess: Tiffany Faulkner
Nationality: Canadian
Tiffany hails from the beautiful mountains of Whistler, Canada. Days spent snowboarding, hiking, biking and travelling developed her love of the great outdoors.
Tiffany's vast hospitality experience extends 6 years prior to yachting, but the wanderlust of travel and desire for adventure led her to take the next step and pursue only the finest side of hospitality. With an unrelenting eye for detail and overflowing creativity, the transition to yachting was seamless.
After 9 years in the yachting industry, numerous successful charters and 12 Atlantic crossings under her belt, the allure of new experiences and friendships led her to M/Y Aspen Alternative.
Tiffany loves nothing more than a fine red wine, a good laugh, great company and an exciting new adventure wherever she can find it!

2nd Stewardess: Khanya Lwana
Nationality: South African
Meet Khanya, our dynamic team member hailing from the stunning coastal city of Durban, South Africa, affectionately known as Surf City. Despite the nickname, Khanya opts to keep her toes on land, steering clear of the ocean’s waves due to a deep-seated fear of sharks.
Equipped with a degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Khanya embarked on her professional journey as a Private Events Coordinator on cruise ships. Braving the seas for 2 years, she gained valuable knowledge and experiences that would later shape her career at sea.
Driven for the appeal of new horizons, Khanya transitioned to the elite world of superyachts 10 years ago. Her expertise and passion for hospitality have made her an invaluable asset to our team and crew and guests love her vibrant spirit and contagious laugh.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Khanya is an avid explorer, relishing the chance to discover new places and connect with diverse cultures. Her love for good company is evident in the joy she finds in sharing a laugh over life’s trivialities, often accompanied by a glass of fine wine.

3rd Stewardess: Rhia Garica
Nationality: Filipino
Rhia originates from the town of Camirnes Sur in the beautiful island country the Philippines. She studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Northeastern Philippines.
With a desire to be in the hospitality industry, Rhia started her professional career in guest services at the prestigious 5-star Peninsula Manila Hotel. She developed her skills in all areas of guest relations including housekeeping, laundry and silver service. With her high-level of standards and skills, she is a behind-the-scenes powerhouse.
Rhia's yachting experience spans over an impressive 12 year career.
She has worked on many distinguished mega-yachts such as M/Y Space, M/Y Imagine and M/Y Here Comes the Sun where she quickly earned her way up the ranks to Head of Housekeeping.
It is an absolute pleasure to have Rhia onboard M/Y Aspen and the crew
thoroughly enjoy her happy, positive disposition and quiet sense of humor.
When she's not being a super-stew Rhia enjoys shopping, going to the movies and playing competitive badminton

Bosun: Calvin Mckie
Nationality: South African
Surfing, fishing, wakeboarding, diving and repeat is Calvin's algorithm for a happy life and growing up in beautiful Durban, South Africa, he was exposed to some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. From a young age, it instilled a strong desire for a career that could incorporate his love of the ocean and his aspirations to travel.
With the hope of one day becoming a yacht Captain, Calvin travelled to the South of France in 2018 to begin his yachting career. His 5 years at sea has seen him climb the ranks to Bosun on vessels from 130ft to 250ft. and has taken him all over Europe, Central America and the Caribbean.
When he is not studying to complete his Officer of the Watch license, Calvin keeps busy working out, working on design plans for his first home in South Africa and obviously, water sports.

Deckhand: Ruby Lumayag
Nationality: Filipino
Rudy hails from one of the 7,107 beautiful islands of the Philippines named Cebu. He speaks English and Tagalog fluently and is also conversational in Spanish.
Excited to travel and see the world, Rudy started his career as a deckhand on M/Y White Rabbit and then onto M/Y Vanish that took him all over Europe and the Caribbean. Rudy joined Aspen Alternative in January of 2022 and this year also marks his impressive 8th year in the yachting industry.
Hardworking and always self-driven in everything that he does, Rudy is a great benefit to the team and brings in a wealth of knowledge and skill and is always in a great mood and smiling. His family is a source of inspiration and strength and he has recently welcomed a new baby boy named Rafiel.