ODESSA Crew Profile
CAPTAIN / ROBERT LOWDEN-AMERICAN
Captain Robert Lowden was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has been in the yachting industry for twenty years. Boats and water have been part of Robert’s life as long as he can remember. The son of a Navy Captain Robert was naturally drawn to the water. Growing up on Lake Washington he operated his first outboard motor at the age of six and by the age of twelve was operating his Father’s classic wooden Chris Craft on Lake Washington.
Odessa is the fourth yacht Captain Robert has commanded and he has been involved with her since her inception in 2006. Acting as her build captain Robert knows every inch of Odessa and is very proud of the awards she has won including the 2009 “BEST INTERIOR” award she took home this past October. Since her launch in 2009 Captain Robert has navigated Odessa over 18,000 nautical miles, including her maiden voyage from Seattle through the Panama Canal to Florida. Since then Captain Robert has safely operated Odessa in the Bahamas and Caribbean, as well as the Eastern and Western Mediterranean including Greece and Turkey.
While safety is always the foremost concern make no mistake the young, energetic and extremely knowledgeable professional’s Captain Robert has surrounded himself with stand ready to cater to your every need and show your guests a unforgettable time while cruising the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mediterranean.
FIRSTMATE / TROY DOUGHERTY-AUSTRALIAN
Odessa’s First Officer is Troy Dougherty. After being raised on a small
Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia, it is no surprise that Troy has found
himself working in an industry that is surrounded by water. Troy has been
working in the yachting industry since April 2005 and has worked on various
yachts such as Capella C (195ft), Dolce Far Niente (193ft), and Mystique (165ft). Troy’s work has taken him to several cruising grounds including the Mediterranean, Caribbean (as far south as Venezuela) as well as the U.S. East coast as far North as Maine before joining M/Y Odessa in January 2010.
After stumbling on the yachting industry while backpacking around Europe, he quickly fell in love with the yachting lifestyle, as it caters to two of Troy’s passions, travel and meeting new people. Troy’s interests include everything aquatic, as well as rugby, climbing, and exploring new destinations.
Troy currently holds his 200t Unlimited Captains licenses as well as his Chief Mate 300t license. With Troy’s experience and “get out there and do it” attitude, he will ensure that your time on board Odessa exceeds your expectations.
CHEF/ RICHARD BOXELL- AUSTRALIAN
Chef Richard was born in Sydney Australia to British parents; he completed his education and Culinary College in Perth, Western Australia before heading out on his first travel adventure. This first trip proved to be just the beginning of his passion for travel. The next 20 years were spent working in restaurants throughout Australia, England, and Europe as well as time spent opening several of his own establishments. The first business was a Country Lodge and Restaurant in the heart of the Western Australia Wine producing region. His second business was a successful Australian Fusion Restaurant in Western Perth.
After selling this restaurant in 2002, Chef Richard decided to embark on a new career as a yacht Chef. Since then he has worked aboard several well-known yachts including M/Y Sweet Pea, M/Y Triton, M/Y Time for Us and M/Y Huntress before coming to M/Y Odessa this season. Richard has seen several of the world’s waterways while cruising Alaska, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, the Mediterranean, Central America and the Baltics.
Chef Richard’s passion for traveling has exposed him to many different styles of cooking and tastes, in turn he now has the ability to prepare a wide range of cuisine from several different countries and please even the most discerning guests.
In his spare time Chef Richard enjoys eating out as much as possible to see what other chef’s are doing and extended road trips on his BMW touring motorcycle. Above all Chef Richard just enjoys life as much as he can!!
Bon Appetite!
CHIEF ENGINEER/ ROSS MCALLUM-AUSTRALIAN
Ross who comes from the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia, over four times the size of Sydney Harbor has been in love with the water for a long time. The eastern side of the Lake Macquarie Area borders the Pacific Ocean with its long sandy beaches. On the
Western side Lake Macquarie adjoins the Watagan Mountains. Ross has been a keen sailor since he can remember and loves diving and fishing as well. While Ross is responsible for keeping everything onboard Odessa running smoothly he really enjoys being on deck helping out wherever he can with anything related to the water. Ross has traveled the world extensively on yachts including Asia, The Pacific Northwest, Mediterranean, Caribbean, USA and Canada. Ross is a qualified MCA Chief Engineer and Electrician. His experience and dedication to safety will ensure the time on board will be relaxed and worry free. Ross welcomes you to visit the engine room to admire the masterpiece.
CHIEF STEWARDESS /MELISSA CRUZ, AMERICAN
Melissa was born and raised in Seattle Washington. She has been in the industry for five years. She enjoys living on the ocean, staying active, and experiencing new things. Living on the west coast gave her the opportunity to work and experience life aboard yachts. Melissa is a perfectionist and came up through the ranks very fast in yachting. Her attention to detail and positive disposition are key assets to any charter. Being the sole stewardess on a 130ft Westport at the tender age of twenty- two quickly taught Melissa how to work hard and be prepared for anything. Whether organizing a simple dinner for four or a last minute party for fifteen, Melissa’s only desire is to make sure everyone on board is happy. The last five years has taken Melissa to Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and all waters in between. Melissa loves to plan special events such as birthdays, anniversary’s or theme nights. Please let her know if she can plan a special occasion for you or your guests.
STEWARDESS/PURSUR/JESS MOORE, NEW ZEALAND
Raised in the North of New Zealand, Jess developed a passion for the outdoors and the sea from an early age. In 2003, after completing her studies, she left to travel overseas and has been indulging her travel bug ever since. Working in the USA as a Summer Camp Lifeguard and for three years in England in the Hotel and Corporate world, she has travelled throughout Australia, Asia, America, Europe, Africa, and Brazil over the last eight years. She has been enjoying yachting for the past four years, and comes to Odessa from the well-known yacht Kismet, where she enjoyed cruising the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Jess is a hospitable and proficient stewardess who is quick with a smile and loves to laugh. She looks forward to welcoming all guests aboard Odessa and creating a long-lasting experience for all to remember.
BOUSUN /RONALD MENDOZA, AMERICAN
Ron is originally from California and has been working on yachts for about 8 years. His boating career started back in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California on small sailboats. Infatuated with the Ocean and the Channel Islands that sat in his front yard, Ron chose to make this his playground. In the beginning Ron worked on a wide range of boats including: Whale watching boats, fishing boats, dive boats, and sailboats. Ron has also spent time-sharing his passion with kids as a sailing and kayak instructor.
After 2 years in the yachting industry Ron decided to go to a maritime school and earn his USCG Merchant Mariner Credentials. Soon after he became the skipper of his own boat a 55’ Sailing Catamaran, where he spent 3 years perfecting his craft. At the end of the three years he decided he wanted to expand his horizons and set out to work on large motor yachts. Ron now holds a USCG 200 ton/ 500ton ITC master and has his sights set on a long-term career in the yachting industry. His fun and outgoing personality combined with his passion for the ocean and the life within it, makes Ron a true asset to Odessa’s crew. Ron takes great pride in his work and looks forward to taking guests out on the jet skis, tender, wakeboards or of course the sailboat.
STEWARDESS/ COLETTE SCHNABEL, AMERICAN
Colette was born in Monterey, California. Since then she has lived in the Northwest, South and Mid West of America. At twenty she decided it was time for her to start her own adventures. She moved to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I, where she fell in love with the warm weather of the Caribbean. She worked as a snorkel guide for a day charter company and a bartender at the yacht marina. That is where she was introduced into the yachting industry. After two years in St. Thomas she decided to move to Florida and pursue a career as a stewardess. She has worked on private and charter yachts including; motor yachts Iris and Allegria, traveling all over the east coast of America, Caribbean, and Greece. Colette has traveled to Costa Rica, Egypt, and New Zealand. She enjoys hiking, surfing, camping and cooking. Colette’s enthusiastic attitude, out going personality and legendary bartending skills make her a must have on any charter adventure.
DECKHAND/ SECOND ENGINEER/ MICHAEL PELON, AMERICAN
Born and raised in Michigan, Mike grew up on the water of the Great Lakes. After graduating high school Mike decided to begin a long-term career in yachting. At the age of 19 Mike has now been yachting for a year and a half. Gaining valuable experience as he cruised the waters of the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mediterranean. Mike was originally brought on as a day worker but quickly became everyone’s favorite. When the boat left for the Caribbean last season the crew decided that they couldn’t leave him behind and he quickly became the tenth member of the crew. Since then he has worked extremely hard and put his mechanical background to work receiving his AEC engineering license this spring. Mike takes great pride in his position as deckhand and loves to teach others the water sports he has learned growing up including water skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, and fishing.
DECKHAND/ GUY POWELL- SOUTH AFRICAN
Guy is a 25-year-old South African who grew up with the best of both worlds at his fingertips – The Ocean and the Outback. While attending college he was an active sportsman as well as a professional lifeguard, and was involved in many “learn to swim” programs for youngsters. His outgoing personality and keen attitude make him fun to be around. His hobbies include scuba diving, wakeboarding, surfing, water polo, travelling and fishing. Combining all of these interests it made perfect sense to pursue a career in yachting. Guy has been in the yachting industry for two years now and spent the 2010 Mediterranean season on ‘4 You’ a 47m Heesen and then crossed the Atlantic on ‘Capri’ a 60m Lürssen. Guy has already attained his AEC Engineering Certificate at the Warsash Maritime Academy and is currently working towards his MCA 200 ton Yacht Master License.
