MEET YOUR CREW
CREW MEMBERS
JOHANNES PRAGER, CAPTAIN
Languages: German, French, English, Spanish
Johan has an Austrian background and grew up on a family owned sailing yacht travelling around the world.
Infected by the travel fever, he chose to start a career in professional yachting when he was only 19, working on both sailing and motor yachts. In the past decade he has worked his way up to a captain’s position, always committed to ensure the best possible guest experience and valuing high professionalism of every crew member. His main priority, aside from maintaining the vessel to the highest standard, is drawing from his seafarer’s background to find the best routes, sheltered bays and special anchorages to make his guests enjoy a truly unique experience onboard.
In his free time, you will find Johan sailing his own sailboat which he always keeps close, following his biggest passion.
CREW MEMBERS
NICHOLAS DAVID GEERE,
1st MATE
Languages: English, Afrikaans,
Born in South Africa, Nicholas joined the yachting industry in 2023 and has quickly built a well-rounded maritime background through a variety of deck, sailing and guest-focused roles. He began as a Sole Deckhand aboard private yachts, gaining a strong foundation in deck operations, maintenance, seamanship and guest service.
Since then, Nicholas has continued to broaden his experience across both sailing and motor yachts, including time as Captain on a sailing yacht operating between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, as well as on the deck team of the 75-metre world-cruising M/Y Sherpa. These roles have strengthened his skills in navigation, tender operations, anchoring, docking, yacht maintenance and professional deck procedures.
Positive, reliable and team-oriented, Nicholas brings enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and a hands-on approach to CALADAN. He is continuously working towards his long-term goal of obtaining his Chief Mate qualification and developing his career within the superyacht industry.
Outside his duties on board, Nicholas enjoys fishing, spearfishing, freediving, surfing and water-sports instruction, as well as photography, yacht maintenance, painting and technical projects such as outboard engine rebuilding.
MERCÈ RUIZ,
CHIEF STEWARDESS
Languages: Spanish, English, Catalan
Mercè is originally from Barcelona, Spain and graduated university with a degree in biology. She is passionate about nature and the beauty of the marine environment which is why she likes to spend her time on the water. During her studies, Mercé worked in different areas of the service industry and realized that providing a great service and seeing clients happy is something that makes her feel truly rewarded.
Working in the yachting industry provides her with the perfect combination of being surrounded by the sea and dedicating herself to making her guests feel welcomed and attended in the best way possible.
LUKA TOMASOVIĆ, CHIEF ENGINEER
Languages: Croatian, English, Spanish,
Born in the coastal city of Split, Croatia, Luka developed a strong connection to the sea from an early age. He began his professional maritime career in 2020 as an Engine Cadet and, through dedication, technical skill and a strong work ethic, steadily progressed within the industry.
Luka has gained valuable experience on a wide range of vessels, including passenger ships, livestock carriers and private yachts over 40 metres. This diverse background has given him solid hands-on knowledge of engine room operations, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of main and auxiliary machinery, as well as fuel systems, boilers, HVAC systems and machinery performance monitoring.
Methodical, dependable and safety-conscious, Luka takes pride in ensuring that all technical systems on board operate smoothly, efficiently and reliably, supporting both the crew and the guest experience.
Outside the engine room, Luka enjoys staying active through sports, especially basketball and football, bringing the same team spirit and determination to his free time as he does to his professional role.
CREW MEMBERS
HAYLEY DU MOLLARD, DECK/STEWARDESS
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Born in South Africa, Hayley entered the yachting industry in 2023 and has since gained valuable experience aboard luxury motor yachts ranging from 33 to 47 metres. Her background includes both private and charter operations, giving her a strong understanding of the high standards required on board.
Hayley brings a solid hospitality background from both ashore and at sea. She has worked as Sole Stewardess, Second Stewardess and Third Stewardess, developing her skills in guest service, housekeeping, laundry, interior detailing, table settings, provisioning and the smooth day-to-day running of the interior. Before yachting, she gained further experience in luxury villas and well-known hospitality venues in South Africa, where she developed her attention to detail and guest-focused approach.
Warm, adaptable and highly organised, Hayley is a dedicated team player who enjoys creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere on board. She combines a positive attitude with a natural eye for presentation and takes pride in anticipating guest needs while maintaining calm and professionalism under pressure.
In her free time, Hayley enjoys sewing, painting, drawing, pilates, travel, fashion and music. Her interest in art, psychology and different cultures reflects her naturally curious personality and helps her connect easily with guests from all backgrounds.
ROBERTO OSTRICKI,
CHEF
Languages: German, Croatian, Spanish, Italian, English and basic Dutch
Roberto Ostricki, born in Croatia, was raised in Germany and in the Netherlands and has a German/Austrian family background. Since a young age, he was driven by cooking and the sea, so here he is, after so many years combining both. He has worked on cruise ships and yachts for over 17 years, yet he can’t get enough of visiting new places, trying new dishes, and meeting different people from different countries to share memorable stories about a beautiful fact called - LIFE.
Over the years he has been living in many European countries, as well as in Colombia where he got to learn a lot about different cooking styles, cultures, and lifestyles. He loves to cook Mediterranean, French, Spanish, Italian & German-style cuisines and is most excited about Vegan cuisine since he has been following a vegan lifestyle for over seven years.
Roberto is truly passionate about healthy lifestyles, vegan cuisine, yoga, reading, exploring, diving, traveling, and a lot of outdoor sports. In his free time, he can be found volunteering for the Red Cross, at the gym, cooking, or practicing some yoga exercises - a lifestyle as multi-faceted as his food.