Crew Profile

Kristian Søndergård and Marianne Rasmussen - Winter seasons on Breanker

Marianne and Kristian are both Danish citizens, and both born in 1954. Two truly talented and extraordinary individuals, Marianne and Kristian are not only highly experienced world sailors, but have designed and built two fine yachts together in the past 25 years – Nana, a traditional 68 ft Baltic trader, completed in 1981, and Casador, a more contemporary luxurious 68 ft sloop, featuring sleek classic lines and sweeping overhangs, she was completed in 1991. Since 2005, Marianne and Kristian have been busy refitting and upgrading Breanker.

The sailed away from the Danish coast in 1983, their 10 year old son accompanying them, and worked Nana for the Danish government as a sail training ship for young people. They sailed the Baltic and North Seas, the English Channel and the Atlantic to the Azores, thence to the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa. Eventually the path lead to the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, and the Caribbean. After spending much time cruising the eastern seaboard of the U.S., the warm southern waters of the Bahamas, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Marianne and Kristian knew that the tropics was for them.

After completing Casador, they started their charter careers in the Bahamas and along the shores of Central America before finally settling in the Virgin Islands, where they have now chartered for more than a decade. Marianne holds an International Yacht Master 3rd Degree license, and Kristian holds an International Yacht Master 1st degree license. Marianne also has a university degree in education, and is a master of the art of canvas work and upholstery, having owned her own canvas and sail loft for a number of years. Her father was a chef, and Marianne was brought up close at hand and instilled with a love of cooking and a keen interest in fine cuisine. Their extensive travels have only served to broaden Marianne’s culinary horizons and gourmet options, creating mouth-watering delights for the many guests she has welcomed aboard for the past many years.

Kristian is by all rights a master shipwright, having operated his own yacht repair and wood working shop for years, though his education led him to fine arts, especially in art weaving. Kristian also has a passion for water sports, especially diving, and he is happy to share the fascinating marine life of the Caribbean with guests.

Marianne and Kristian look forward to making your cruise aboard Breanker the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation ever.

Alan and Jo-Anne Reynolds, Breanker's Summer 2007 crew

Alan & Jo-Anne hail from South Africa and have been sailing since 1971. They were married in 1975 and have a son & daughter. In 1996 they left South Africa to sail around the world and ended up doing charter work in the Caribbean since 1997. At first they crewed for the Moorings and when the owners upgraded to Edruska in 1998, they were invited to crew the boat.

Alan has sailed most of his life and holds a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. He was born and educated in South Africa. After school he joined the South African Air Force and spent 20 years as a pilot. In 1992, when his contract expired, he retired and started his own scuba diving business. In 1996 he sold the business, to sail around the world. He has successfully managed two charter boats since his charter career began. An International 50 for the Moorings and a 63 ft luxury charter yacht since 1998. As a NAUI Diving Instructor, Alan has taught over 500 people to dive, qualifying many of them to the level of Divemaster. Alan loves to sail and scuba and most of all to share these experiences.

Born and raised in Cape Town, Jo-Anne has always enjoyed water related activities and as a qualified scuba diver. After their marriage Jo-Anne was an active member of the Air Force Ladies Association and the PTA, at the same time pursuing her career as bookkeeper and administrative officer.

Jo-Anne has worked as a Charter Chef and First Mate on “Sophisticated Lady” and “Edruska”. During May 1998 she furthered her cooking skills at the Culinary Institute of America. 

Alan and Jo-Anne look forward to welcoming you to BREANKER.