SHADES OF GREY

CAPTAIN: Francesco Testa

Francesco comes from a sea salty family, countless generations of fishermen from the Bay of Naples. Growing up by the sea, a life on the water was inevitable. For over a decade, Francesco has been sailing professionally around the world, delivering yachts and captaining luxury charters across some of the most breathtaking destinations.
Beyond sailing, his passions lie in philosophy, meditation, and martial arts, disciplines that shape his approach to both the sea and life. An avid water sports enthusiast and fisherman, he continues the traditions of his ancestors but now on a global scale.
Deeply connected to the ocean, he is also highly sensitive to and respectful of the marine environment, always striving to minimize his impact and protect the waters he calls home. Captain Francesco speaks beside his mother tongue Italian, of course English and French, but also Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese.

CHEF: Francesco Volpato
Francesco Volpato is an accomplished Italian chef with over 12 years of experience in international hospitality and catering. Throughout his career, he has held positions such as Junior Sous Chef and Senior Chef de Partie in high-end restaurants and seasonal luxury venues across Italy, the UK, Switzerland, and New Zealand. His background includes working in dynamic, high-pressure kitchens, from fine dining establishments to premium seasonal operations.

Specializing in fresh pasta and first courses, Francesco combines strong technical expertise with a refined approach to presentation, menu planning, and the use of high-quality seasonal ingredients. He is highly skilled in kitchen organization, inventory management, and maintaining excellent hygiene and safety standards. Known for his professionalism, teamwork, and calm attitude under pressure, Francesco consistently delivers elevated dining experiences tailored to guests’ preferences and expectations..


Chief Engineer/Deckhand Salvatore Di Maio:
Salvatore was born and raised in Castellammare di Stabia, a town located between Naples and Sorrento. He has spent his life by the sea. He began his nautical career at the age of 18 as a superyacht mooring assistant, and has since gained over a decade's experience working as a captain and first officer.

Passionate about navigation and travel, he brings extensive knowledge and technical expertise to Shades of Grey, ensuring smooth and safe sailing on every journey. He has been part of the crew for one year and has completed both the Caribbean and Mediterranean seasons with SHADES OF GREY.

Not only is Salvatore a very good seafarer, he is also a passionate chef. He loves surprising guests with an Italian night, when he takes over the galley and prepares recipes from his Italian grandmother.

Salvatore is fluent in both Italian and English, and his warm, friendly personality and constant smile make him a valued member of the crew.


STEWARDESS Annaclara D'Oriano
Annaclara is an experienced Stewardess with a strong background in luxury charter and private yachting across the Mediterranean and Caribbean. She has worked as Stewardess and Chief Stewardess on several prestigious yachts, including the AB140 Blue Devil, Sanlorenzo SX88 Guan, Princess 65, and Mangusta 72 Charter.

With extensive experience in luxury hospitality, she specializes in guest care, silver service, housekeeping, table styling, and creating an elegant and welcoming onboard atmosphere. Professional, discreet, and highly adaptable, Annaclara is dedicated to delivering a seamless and memorable experience for every guest on board.

2nd STEWARDESS Imogen Brolsma
Imogen is a remarkably vibrant, driven, and highly capable yacht stewardess who stands out as a young professional with an exceptionally mature and extensive hospitality background. Bringing a "do it right the first time" philosophy to every task, she is celebrated for her positive, energetic personality and her ability to maintain a calm, clear head under high-pressure charter conditions. Imogen has immediate availability and has already proven her skills on both charter and private yachts up to 40 meters in the Mediterranean.

Her interior and service expertise is backed by an impressive five years of experience in fine dining and event coordination, making her an absolute asset to any guest service team. She excels in silver service, professional barista beverage preparation, precise inventory management, and strict dietary awareness, alongside immaculate cabin detailing and turnover.

While her primary focus remains on delivering five-star interior service, her versatile background as a "deckstew" means she can seamlessly assist on deck with line handling, tender driving, or washdowns whenever needed.