Francesco CANDIANI
Captain/Chef
Italian MCA Master of Yachts 200gt/OOW 500gt RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Yachtmaster Ocean (Sail) Australian Master 5 (Power) Italian License (Sail/Power) PADI Master Scuba Trainer Degree Law, University of Milan Masters IT Law, University of Bologna Maritime Francesco is a native of Venice and has spent every summer of his life at his family vacation home in the Aeolian Islands. After studying law in Milan and at the University of California, Berkeley, he practiced in Italy for several years, before his love of the sea drove him to change careers. He moved to the Pacific, where he crewed on a variety of yachts. Certified as a PADI MASTER SCUBA DIVER TRAINER, he is keen to guide clients on undersea tours and issue diving certificates on board. Francesco has sailed thousands of miles during the course of his yachting career and earned his international commercial Skipper’s ticket in Cape Town, South Africa in 2006. He has since worked as a captain in the Mediterranean and in the Caribbean. He is your Captain and Head Chef on board and will ensure you enjoy the finest of Regional Plates, matched with his selection of Local Wines. Francesco is from a family passionate about cooking, in fact, all of his three siblings own Italian Restaurants in the Veneto region. He is the ultimate creator of new and beautiful dishes and will ensure that your dining experience is number one! He also enjoys explaining the various types of Food from the different regions and treating you to tastings, such as Olive Oils and Cheeses. Francesco is also a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (which means Instructor of Instructors). He is highly experienced and takes pleasure in offering Dive Courses of all levels on board, which means that Guests can leave with their new Certification. OMBRE BLU ³ is a Registered PADI Dive Centre and is equipped with Tanks, BCDs, Regulators and all the gear one needs for diving, including a Compressor. CO-CAPTAIN/STEWARDESS/CHEF/MASSAGE THERAPIST: Melissa CANDIANI Australian MCA Master of Yachts 200gt/OOW 500gt Yachtmaster Ocean Australian Master 5 (Power) RYA Ocean and Master 200 Massage Therapist Dip. Business Management Dip. Human Resource Management Dip. Remedial / Sport Massage Melissa was born in Tasmania, a location famous for sailing. She eventually moved to Sydney, where she studied business and human resources management. During her corporate career she managed the start-up of a professional football team. After four years of handling player contracts, sponsorships, publicity and special events, she decided on a change of pace and accepted an offer to crew on an ex-Sydney-to-Hobart racing yacht. The experience led to a permanent career decision. A fully qualified massage therapist, Melissa combined her massage expertise with her love of the sea and secured contracts on board ‘Superyachts’, working as a private therapist for clients such as Rupert Murdoch & Cherie Blair. She earned her first international skipper’s ticket in Cape Town, South Africa in 2006. After meeting and marrying Francesco, Melissa moved to Italy, where she has become fluent in the language and has developed a deeper understanding of its culture and people. Melissa will co-ordinate all of your activities during the trip and ensure everything is perfect. She is offering a massage service on board on a professional table. She also shares some of the cooking with Francesco. She loves to prepare breakfasts, bake fresh Bread, Muffins, Cakes and create beautiful table settings for every occasion.
