Captain Kieran Bown & First Mate Michelle Preciado

Kieran & Michelle met back in 2012 in Mexico whilst working in the dive industry as instructors and photographers. Since then they have been on an unstoppable adventure that has taken them across the Caribbean, Americas, Europe & SE Asia.

They have now been in the charter industry for 8 years and are definitely enjoying their home in the British Virgin Islands. A country full of history and secrets that has allowed them to slowly discover more and more as their adventure continues.

Both Kieran & Michelle were led to the ocean by a passion for scuba diving and adventure, it is was this passion that formed the foundation for a life destined on the ocean. Being on boats has been an integral part of their lives since they were young and it was a natural progression to move on to running sailing yachts in the Caribbean.

Michelle is your 1st Mate onboard. She’s an experienced sailor, holding her RYA Day Skipper, a PADI Dive Instructor and extremely competent Watersport’s instructor whether it’s surfing, foiling, wakeboarding or Free diving she’s got you covered. If that wasn’t enough she’s also professionally culinary trained and has worked as a yacht chef for 5 seasons.

Kieran is an accomplished diver as well as Captain. He enjoys most water sports and has a keen interest in marine life.

Following Irma & Maria in 2017, Kieran & Michelle spent 15 months living on Tortola rebuilding a hurricane damaged catamaran and returned it to the charter fleet. This was an invaluable experience for any charter crew rebuilding a yacht from the ground up and learning every aspect of the rebuild, repairs and upgrades along the way. Here they collectively developed a strong knowledge of Boat Building, Project Management and general Marine Engineering.

In addition to working on charter yachts, Kieran & Michelle’s other passion is adventure and photography. It is this combination that led to the birth of Panga Expedtions. For the past 10 years they have been travelling the world, capturing incredible footage from both above and below the surface and have been featured on countless National TV Channels/Online Media Oulets including Nat Geo, Discovery, Shark Week, GoPro & Google. Whilst enjoying brief sponsorships from GoPro, Light & Motion and other adventure sport companies to help capture incredible footage.

Michelle Preciado
Qualifications:

Certificate in Professional Cookery
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in
Catering
PADI Open Water Instructor
STCW-95
RYA Competent Crew
RYA Day Skipper
ENG-1
RYA VHF Certified
DAN Insured
AIDA Level 2 (Freediving)
EFR Instructor



Chef



Cameron Keefe Stewardess/Deckhand

Cameron grew up between the rocky coastline and snowy mountains of Portland, Maine. While she’ll always love her home state, and skiing its peaks, her love for the ocean and warmer weather eventually pulled her further afield. After graduating from the University of Maine, Cameron joined the yachting industry in 2018, a path that has since taken her around the world. She has worked aboard both large sailing yachts and catamarans, from the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean to the far-flung coasts of Patagonia, Alaska, and even Greenland.
Holding her Yachtmaster Offshore certification, Cameron brings a strong foundation in seamanship while balancing her role with a natural flair for hospitality. Her time managing a boutique hotel in Costa Rica gave her valuable experience in creating exceptional guest experiences, which she now blends seamlessly with her life at sea.
Cameron is happiest when she’s in or on the ocean- surfing, scuba diving, free diving, or simply under sail. She also loves hiking, traveling, and discovering new corners of the world. With her adventurous spirit, love for the sea, and diverse background, Cameron is excited to contribute to the crew and deliver an unforgettable season for guests."


Qualifications:
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Sail)
STCW 10
ENG 1
Power Boat Lv. 2
Security Duties
PADI Adv. Open Water

Chef Ashleigh's SAMPLE MENU

 

BREAKFAST

Shakshuka with slow cooked mixed pepper strips and cherry tomatoes, topped with crumbled feta and cilantro. Served with warm sourdough

Eggs Royale, with Norwegian smoked salmon, rocket and a lemon zest hollandaise sauce

Brioche cinnamon french toast with crispy bacon, grilled banana and hot maple syrup

Poached eggs on sourdough with mashed avocado, pickled red onions, cress and a balsamic glaze

Crepes with either strawberry, toasted coconut, mixed nuts and a chocolate drizzle. For for a savoury option grilled mushrooms, cheese and grilled tomatoes

Scrambled egg on sourdough crumpets with wilted spinach, grilled cherry tomatoes and a smoked paprika oil

Acai papaya and dragon fruit smoothie bowl, topped with fresh fruit, mixed seeds, and ginger honey

 

APPETIZERS

Ginger marinated tuna tartar in a filo nest with pomegranate and an avocado mousse

BBQ pulled pork tacos, with a jalapeno and pineapple pico de gallo and chipotle bbq sauce

Bruschetta with pesto marbled mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and cured Italian bresola

Red onion marmalade and goats cheese tartlet with a rocket and pine nut salad

Salmon handrolls, nori cones filled with marinated tuna, sushi rice, julienne vegetables, topped with mixed sesame seeds and soy dipping sauce

Grilled halloumi and slow roast aubergine and zucchini stack with a chili tomato jam

Baked feta stuffed fig, wrapped in prosciutto with a thyme infused honey

 

LUNCH

Ceviche of orange and lime cured red snapper with mango, passion fruit, red onion and coriander served with corn chips

Paprika and thyme seasoned crispy chicken thigh on a quinoa salad with wild mushrooms, baby spinach, corn and toasted cashew nuts and a mixed green salad with honey and mustard dressing

Steak Tagliata; sliced ribeye steak with a rocket, cherry tomato and parmesan salad and freshly baked bread rolls

Grilled squid with a fine chopped broccoli, kale, cranberry and hazelnut salad with a balsamic and mustard vinegarette

Mahi mahi burgers with a lime and pickle mayo, baby gem lettuce, and tomato. Served with a red cabbage, pepper and pineapple slaw and rustic potato wedges

Marinated tuna poke bowl with pickled carrot and cucumber strips, wakame, edamame beans, mango and pickled red onions with a poke dressing

Black pepper and lemon chicken skewers with a roasted vegetable and pearl cous cous salad, tahini dressing topped with toasted pumpkin seeds

 

DINNER

Grouper fillet on creamy red pepper romesco sauce with grilled leaks, sauteed tenderstem broccoli and asparagus, parmentier potatoes and toasted slivered almonds

Cornfed Chicken thigh stuffed with mozzarella and basil, wrapped in in bacon, served with thyme roasted new potatoes, creamed baby spinach, charred scallions and slow roasted cherry tomatoes

Ginger, garlic and soy Pork Tenderloin on a butternut squash puree, grilled cauliflower and curry spiced crispy chickpeas

Beef sirloin fillet with dauphinoise potato, sauteed spring greens, roasted baby heritage carrots and a red wine jus

Thai red curry with chicken balls, a medley of vegetables and a creamy coconut sauce on udon noodles with crispy onions

Homemade linguine with prawns cooked in white wine and and garlic, with a herb and parmesan crumb

Mint and balsamic seared lamb chops, hassleback potato, crispy sesame kale and roasted beetroot.

 

DESSERT

Dulce de leche cheesecake on a macadamia nut crust with macadamia nut brittle and salted caramel drizzle

Raspberry and white chocolate frangipani tart with Madagascan vanilla ice cream

Layered mango, chantilly cream and coconut sugar delight, with Sicilian amaretto cookie

Boozy tiramisu with homemade chocolate ice cream

Chocolate fondant with raspberry coulis, swirls of white chocolate sauce and crumbled gingerbread

Cookies and cream profiteroles with chocolate ganache and toasted hazelnuts

Pistachio and walnut hot honey Baklava bites on a bed of soft salted pistachio ice cream