CAPTAIN
Adam Bagnall
Adam hails from Ireland and his love for sailing began on the West Coast of Ireland at the Sligo Yacht Club where he attended sailing camp summer after summer before eventually moving into teaching at the sailing club. Adam spent two summers as the Senior Instructor of Sligo Yacht Club, during which they won the Irish Sailing Club of the year. His love of sailing developed even further when he sailed around the island of Ireland, giving him his first taste of offshore sailing.
He recently graduated from Maynooth University on a rugby scholarship, where he completed his degree in International Business with a one year study aboard via the Erasmus+ program in Valencia. During his time at university, Adam never ventured far from the sea and always found himself in the Mediterranean during his summers. He skippered on armada flotilla weeks, quickly moving into the role of lead skipper. This was a practice he continued up until this most recent season in 2024. He recently sailed around Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda and was instantly drawn to the charm of the Caribbean islands. He can't wait to provide guests with an incredible sailing experience and share his love of the sea with those who step onboard.
CERTIFICATES
• Yachtmaster Offshore Commercially Endorsed
• STCW
• VHF License
• Irish Sailing Senior Instructor
• Safety Boat
• Power Boat Level 2
CHEF
Samantha Reed
Samantha is originally from Newcastle in the North East of England. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the hospitality industry, her passion for food and service began at an early age. Her parents, grandparents, and uncle have all owned successful hotel businesses, so you could say that hospitality runs through her blood. It was from her family that she learned the importance of creating memorable experiences for guests, which has shaped her career as a chef.
Her love for cooking started when she was 14, while competing in sports at a high level. Nutrition played a vital role in her performance, and she became fascinated with how food could fuel the body. She started working in restaurants at this age and immediately fell in love with the fast-paced environment, the creativity, and the inspiring people she met along the way.
She later pursued a Management Degree in France, where she became captivated by the country's rich culinary traditions and world-class gastronomy. This experience fueled her desire to turn her love for food into a career, so she completed her Culinary Training at The Avenue Cookery School in London. Following this, she had the privilege of working two highly successful summer seasons on yachts in Croatia, refining her skills in delivering top-tier dining experiences at sea.
Above all, she thrives on meeting new people and creating meals that deliver a wow-factor. She is passionate about creating dishes that reflect the vibrant places that she has traveled, using fresh, local ingredients and presenting dishes that not only taste amazing but also look beautiful on the plate. She is excited to bring her creativity, energy, and love for the ocean to her next chapter as your yacht chef, whilst you enjoy the beauty of the British Virgin Islands!
CERTIFICATES
• Day Skipper Theory & Practical and Coastal Skipper
• The Avenue Cookery School
• Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety
• VHF Radio License
• STCW / PPR
• PADI Advanced Open Water
