CAPTAIN LON MUNSEY

Lon Munsey was born and raised in Maine where he developed an intense love of the sea. He attended Maine Maritime Academy where he earned a BS in Marine Engineering in 1972 and later obtained a USCG 500 ton Masters License.

Enterprising, enthusiastic and energetic with great organizational skills, Lon owned and operated a yacht management and delivery company in Key Largo, Florida for ten years and participated in a number of yacht management projects in Honduras and Guatemala. His knowledge of Caribbean and US waters, including the Great Lakes, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, is extensive. He navigated Askari from Trinidad to Australia during a 13 month charter visiting  numerous anchorages in the South Pacific.

Lon has been with the owners of Askari for ten years and directed/managed the two-year refit undertaken when the yacht was purchased in 1998. A perfectionist and workaholic by everyone's standards, he rarely takes time off but when he does, he can be found on his own sailboat in the Caribbean or at his cabin overlooking the Kennebec River in the woods of Maine. An adventurer and outdoorsman, Lon enjoys all water sports, especially Windsurfing and Kayaking. He loves exploring wilderness areas whether it be on foot or by mountain bike, increasing his already vast knowledge of flora and fauna.
 

Lon is extremely affable with a wonderful sense of humor and has as his highest priority the comfort, safety and enjoyment of Askari's guests.

 

CLAUD AKERS
FIRST MATE/ENGINEER

Claud grew up in a small fishing village in South Africa not far from Cape Town where he spent two years in the south African navy as an engineer. He sailed with a friend from Cape Town to Brazil, a challenging adventure that took them four weeks.

 Claud crewed and worked as an engineer on a few boats in South America before joining the Askari refit team in 2000. He knows the complete workings of Askari from fuel tanks to mast head. He is STCW compliant and a PADI Rescue Diver. Laser sailing is Claud's favorite water sport, a patient and enthusiastic instructor always eager to assist those who need assistance. He is a fun and engaging man as well as a keen fisherman, ensuring there is rarely a shortage of fresh fish aboard Askari.

 

THERESA DAVIES
CHIEF STEWARDESS

Refueling in Yemen, chased by pirates through the Red Sea, sailed through the Suez and toured around the Greek Isles. These are among her favorite visited islands along with French Polynesia recently visited on the 13 month charter undertaken by Askari . Her warm smile, lovely accent and enthusiastic attention to detail will make every guest feel cared for and welcome. She is STCW compliant and well versed in the safety and security of the ship.

 

DARRYL LEATHART
CHEF

Darryl also has four years experience on large cruise ships as chef trainer and provisions master. When at home in New Zealand he can be found riding his Harley around town and country with his friends.  He is quick to tell a joke and quicker to laugh. Send us a note at sail@tahitiyachts.com and we'll send you a sample menu containing Darryl's tantalizing culinary delights and artistic presentation.

 

DEAN PARSONAGE
DIVE INSTRUCTOR / DECKHAND

Dean was raised in Melbourne playing by the ocean. At 14, with the help of parents who helped him move towards his dreams he was holding his open water ticket. His first undertaking was salvage diving, that is, salvaging the lost gear from a local fishing pier and returning it to the fishermen for a recovery fee. He went on to earn his advanced and rescue diver certificates. By the age of 24 he was a Dive Master and Instructor. Dean spearheaded one of the first Aquarium Dive Clubs in Australia, organizing introductory dives in the National Aquarium, a 1 1/2 million liter fish tank. He has run dive trips up and down the Great Barrier Reef for many years, working on live-aboards as well as hiring out as a private guide. He worked with the prestigious 5 star dive center Pro Dive Cairns, instructing divers from all over the world.

For vacations he shoots off to places like Africa to do some cage diving with the Great Whites or the Solomon Islands for its fabulous Reef and Wreck Dives. Dean is passionate about bringing the diving experience to all people, we have watched him get even the most timid into the deeps. We feel fortunate to have someone of Dean's expertise as a member of our team. He also plays dual roll as deckhand and is equally comfortable water skiing and wakeboarding as well as sky diving.

 

LEAH JEFFERY
STEWARDESS