LOANA

Captain: Christos Lekkas
Nationality: Greek
Languages: Greek & English

Captain Christos Lekkas is a seasoned master with over 30 years commanding luxury yachts in the Mediterranean. Currently at the helm of M/Y Loana, he combines extensive technical expertise with a refined understanding of guest service, ensuring every charter is seamless, safe, and unforgettable.
Christos’ career spans some of Greece’s most prestigious motor yachts, including M/Y Irene’s, M/Y Pollux, and M/Y Dynasty, where he developed a reputation for professionalism, discretion, and excellence in luxury yachting. He holds an Open Sea Sailing Captain Class B diploma from the Merchant Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos and is certified in GMDSS, advanced firefighting, survival craft, and medical first aid. His additional training in leadership, conflict management, and customer care ensures the highest standards of onboard experience. Fluent in English and highly skilled in yacht operations, Christos expertly balances technical command with attentive, personalized service, creating a charter environment that is both safe and indulgent.


Chief Engineer Nikolaos Koulouris
Nationality: Greek
Date of birth 22 July 1986
Languages: Greek & English

Nikolaos was born in Corfu, Greece and graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos. He has built a strong career at sea, progressing through all engineering ranks across merchant vessels, tankers, ferries, and yachts, gaining extensive technical knowledge and operational experience. He currently serves onboard M/Y Loana as Chief Engineer, responsible for the overall management of the engineering department, maintenance of all mechanical, electrical, and safety systems, and ensuring the smooth and safe operation of the vessel at all times. His background includes both commercial shipping and luxury yachting, supporting a well rounded and highly reliable technical approach. Nikolaos is experienced in audits, inspections, and compliance procedures, with strong exposure to Port State Control, Rightship, vetting inspections, and internal audits throughout his career. Hobbies and interests include travelling, swimming, fishing, reading, and technology.

Chef: Konstantinos Mantikos
Nationality: Greek
Date of birth: 7 July 1987
Languages: Greek, English, French

Konstantinos is a professional chef with formal training in Culinary Arts from Le Monde (2012–2015). He began his career in restaurants and seasonal hospitality roles across Greece, developing a strong foundation in Mediterranean cuisine, seafood preparation, and high volume service. Over the years he transitioned into private and yachting roles, gaining extensive experience as a private chef onboard sailing and motor yachts as well as in a chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. His yacht experience includes full time onboard catering and daily meal preparation for guests and crew on vessels ranging from 24m to 40m, including M/Y Loana, as well as other private yachts such as Mrs L, This Is Mine, Freedom, Elisium and Latitude. His style is focused on fresh ingredients, Mediterranean inspired menus, and adaptable cuisine suited to guest preferences. He has also worked in established restaurants in Greece, including roles responsible for hot and cold kitchen sections, seafood preparation, and pastry assistance, building a well rounded culinary skill set under structured and high pressure environments. Konstantinos is known for being organised, reliable, and able to maintain consistency and quality in demanding service conditions.

Chief Stewardess: Sophia Kounelaki
Nationality: Greek
Languages: Greek & English

Sophia is an experienced hospitality professional with a background in both luxury yachting and five star hotel service. She brings a strong foundation in high standard guest service, refined attention to detail, and a calm, organised approach to onboard operations. She has worked extensively within the yachting industry onboard motor yachts including M/Y Irene and M/Y Geosand, before joining M/Y Loana as Chief Stewardess. Her responsibilities include overseeing the interior department, maintaining high standards of service and presentation, and ensuring a smooth and discreet guest experience throughout each charter or private use. Prior to yachting, Sophia gained valuable experience in five star hotel environments, specialising in silver service and high end guest relations. This background strengthened her understanding of formal service standards, organisation, and anticipation of guest needs in luxury settings. She is known for her professionalism, consistency, and strong service ethic, contributing to a well structured and welcoming onboard atmosphere.

2nd Stewardess: Maria Petrou
Nationality: Greek
Date of birth: 4 December 1994
Languages: Greek & English

Maria is a hospitality professional with a strong background in luxury yacht service, five-star hotel operations, and aviation cabin crew training. She combines formal service education with hands-on experience in high-standard guest environments, bringing a polished and attentive approach to interior service onboard. She currently serves as Second Stewardess onboard M/Y Loana, supporting the interior team in delivering seamless guest service, cabin preparation, table service, and day-to-day operational duties. Her role includes assisting with guest care, provisioning, housekeeping standards, and contributing to a smooth and well-coordinated onboard experience. Maria has prior yachting experience on several private and charter yachts, including Flori, Souraya, Hakuna Matata, Endless Summer, and Plan B. Her responsibilities across these vessels have included full guest service, turndown preparation, event assistance, table setting and service, cabin management, and adapting service to diverse guest profiles and cultural expectations. Before entering the yachting industry, she gained extensive experience in five-star hotel food and beverage departments in Athens, working in guest-facing roles as a waitress and barista. She also holds professional training in silver service, including table service styles, wine and beverage service, and formal dining standards. Maria also has a background in occupational therapy, which adds strong interpersonal awareness and a calm, attentive approach to guest interaction.

Bosun: Rolly Talania
Nationality: Filipino
Date of birth: 29 April 1979
Languages: English & Filipino

Rolly is an experienced maritime professional from the Philippines with a strong background in deck operations and vessel support roles across both commercial shipping and private yachting. He holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education (Major in Filipino) from Urdaneta Community College, and later transitioned into the maritime industry where he has built long-standing practical experience at sea. He began his career as Ordinary Seaman and Messman in the bulk carrier sector, gaining foundational knowledge in seamanship, safety procedures, and shipboard operations. He then moved into the yachting industry, where he has worked extensively as General Purpose / Deckhand onboard private and charter vessels, including M/Y Irene, where he has remained in service for many years, developing strong familiarity with yacht operations and guest-focused environments. As Bosun onboard M/Y Loana, Rolly is responsible for leading deck operations, exterior maintenance, tender handling, and ensuring the vessel is kept to high standards of safety, cleanliness, and presentation. His long experience onboard yachts allows him to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team, supporting smooth daily operations and guest activities. He holds multiple STCW-compliant certifications including Basic Training, Navigation Watch Rating, Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, and Superyacht Deck Crew with Small Powerboat and RIB Master qualifications. Rolly is known for being reliable, hardworking, and steady under pressure, with a strong commitment to maintaining safe and efficient deck operations onboard.

Deckhand: Joe Mark Pedrera
Nationality Filipino
Languages: English & Filipino

Joe is a maritime professional from the Philippines and holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the University of the Visayas. He began his career in the commercial shipping industry, where he gained valuable experience onboard merchant vessels and developed a strong understanding of vessel operations, safety procedures, and teamwork at sea. Before joining M/Y Loana, Joe worked onboard M/Y Irene, where he served alongside the Captain and further developed his skills within the yachting industry. His background in marine engineering provides him with a solid technical foundation, while his practical deck experience has equipped him with the versatility required in yacht operations. As Deckhand onboard M/Y Loana, Joe is responsible for maintaining the vessel's exterior to the highest standards, assisting with docking operations, tender handling, water sports activities, and ensuring guest areas are always presented impeccably. His positive attitude, strong work ethic, and attention to detail make him a valued member of the crew, helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests onboard.