THE PURSUIT

Ron Marsilio - Captain - USCG 100 Ton, RYA Yachtmaster, STCW, Padi Divemaster

Ron grew up In Westport, Connecticut on the Atlantic Coast. Growing up on the beach he took to the water as a child and never looked back. At the age of 10, he began racing in the Junior Sailing Association all over the Long Island Sound. His passion growing up was competitive sailing and he has continued to race season after season for the last 20 years. A love for sailing has been in his blood since he was a young child. He spent summers sailing to and from Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and the British Virgin Islands. In his spare time, he also enjoys surfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, beach volleyball, and snowboarding.

Ron became a Sailing instructor in his late teens and worked as a skipper for regattas including the Atlantic Nationals. He also has experience managing race committees, acting as a safety chase boat, as well as setting up racecourses. When he isn’t racing he can be found chartering in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, diving and participating in just about any watersport. He has worked for multiple high-end charter companies globally over the years and loves showing his guests what makes sailing his passion for so many years. Guests looking to learn more about sailing or receive their ASA certification will enjoy Ron’s fun-loving instruction on board!

Valentina Saenz de Regadera - Chef - STCW

Val was born and raised in the coastal city of Viña del Mar - Chile, by a Chilean mother and Argentinean father, she grew up in a house that blends the culinary traditions inherited by her European great grandparents with the Latin American flavors. From a very young age, she started cooking but it wasn’t until after graduating college that she decided to pursue her passion for cooking, moving to Argentina, where she went to culinary school in Buenos Aires. Her career would take her to work and live in countries such as Australia, Germany and Canada, visiting over 32 countries in the last 7 years. Extremely passionate about food and hospitality, she aims to give the best customer service with an eye for personal detail, paying tribute to that mix of flavors and sea side feel she grew up in.

Over the years she has worked in various kitchens, from trendy bars, to hip cafes, bistros in the mountains to high end restaurants in multicultural cities, constantly learning new flavors and techniques. She has a great sense of adventure, loves to dive, travel, sail and enjoy the outdoors and through her dishes you will travel alongside her memories, tasting the food from around the globe, with a Latin American twist.

Katy Nickel - Third Crew/Stewardess - USCG Masters 100T, STCW, Padi Divemaster

Katy is an avid ocean lover and adventure enthusiast; she has spent years teaching marine science and sustainability, traveling throughout North and Central America, and the Caribbean, and enjoying fishing and SCUBA diving. Her history on boats and in the service industry provides experience and insight to ensure you are well taken care of, no matter what the need. Katy spent 4 years spearheading an environmental non-profit and zero-waste event planning business in North Carolina before moving to the Caribbean to grow her passions, as well as share her talents and skills with the boating world. She has been mastering her logistical coordination to ensure the best-suited itinerary and activity list for each group’s preferences. Before moving over to Third Crew, Katy was the chef on another vessel with Ron, therefore you will see her love for helping in the galley, and if she is not there or helping Ron with the sails, you will find her making a batch of her delicious custom cocktails.