KINGS RANSOM

KINGS RANSOM is a 75 ft Matrix Yachts sailing monohull accommodating up to 10 guests in 5 cabins. Built in 2008. Cruising areas: W. Med -Naples/Sicily, W. Med -Riviera/Cors/Sard..

Captain: Rohan van der Merwe

Born and raised in South Africa, Rohan’s passion for nature, adventure, and hospitality shaped his career long before entering the yachting industry. After managing a luxury game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park and working alongside rhino and pangolin conservation teams, his love for the natural world soon extended from the bush to the sea.

Rohan began his sailing career along South Africa’s rugged West Coast before venturing abroad to explore new cruising grounds and expand his experience within the yachting industry. With a calm, confident presence onboard and a strong foundation in professional seamanship, he combines capability, adaptability, and an approachable style that immediately puts guests at ease.
Dedicated to continual growth within the maritime sector, Rohan thrives in dynamic environments and enjoys refining his skills through new experiences and challenges. His background spans both charter sailing yachts and motor yachts, giving him a versatile and well-rounded approach to life at sea.

Comfortable in both high-energy and relaxed charter settings, Rohan particularly enjoys facilitating water sports and ocean activities, with a special passion for diving. Whether guiding guests through adventurous days on the water or sharing stories from his time in the African bush, he brings warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm to every charter experience.
Known for his steady leadership, positive attitude, and strong connection to both the ocean and nature, Rohan is committed to delivering safe, seamless, and memorable experiences for every guest onboard.

First Mate: Nick van Beek

Born and raised in South Africa, Nick developed a deep appreciation for nature and the ocean from a young age. With a calm, hardworking nature and a strong practical skill set, he plays an essential role both behind the scenes and on deck, ensuring every charter runs smoothly and guests feel completely at ease onboard.

As First Mate, Nick brings a hands-on approach to all aspects of yacht operations, from deck maintenance and tender handling to guest activities and safety. Reliable, capable, and always willing to lend a hand, he is known for his positive attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to adapt effortlessly in any situation.

Nick has a genuine passion for the ocean and enjoys sharing that enthusiasm with guests through a wide range of water activities. Whether taking guests out on the tender, assisting with water sports, guiding snorkelling adventures, or helping guests experience the thrill of sailing, he is always eager to create fun and memorable moments on the water. A keen diver and ocean lover, he especially enjoys introducing guests to the beauty of the underwater world.

While naturally more easy-going and grounded in personality, Nick’s warm sense of humour and approachable nature make him a favourite among guests. His relaxed energy, professionalism, and genuine enjoyment of life at sea help create a welcoming atmosphere onboard, ensuring every charter aboard Kings Ransom is both seamless and unforgettable.

Stewardess: Shana van Zyl

Born and raised in a small town in South Africa, Shana developed a strong sense of community, warmth, and genuine hospitality from a young age. After relocating to Cape Town and embracing the coastal lifestyle, she followed her passion for the ocean into the yachting industry, later gaining valuable experience while working aboard yachts in the Caribbean.

With a natural eye for detail and a love for creating beautiful, welcoming spaces, Shana takes great pride in ensuring every moment onboard feels effortless and special. Her calm, friendly nature and attentive approach allow guests to immediately feel comfortable and well cared for from the moment they step aboard.

Passionate about exceptional service, Shana is dedicated to anticipating guests’ needs and creating personalised experiences tailored to each charter. Whether preparing elegant table settings, maintaining immaculate interiors, or helping create unforgettable days at sea, she brings professionalism, positivity, and genuine enthusiasm to every charter experience.

Chef: Anastasiia Onyshchenko

Anastasiia is a versatile Private and Yacht Chef with extensive experience aboard luxury private and charter yachts, as well as high-end villas and events. Ukrainian and based in Antibes, she specializes in Mediterranean, French, Asian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Eastern European cuisine, with additional expertise in baking, pastry, bread making, and health-oriented cuisine.

Experienced as a Sole Chef, Sous Chef, Relief Chef, and Crew Chef, Anastasiia is confident catering to VIP guests and large-scale events, including Cannes Film Festival, Cannes Lions, and MIPIM. She is known for her creativity, adaptability, strong organizational skills, and ability to tailor menus to individual guest preferences. She speaks English, French, Italian, Polish, and Ukrainian.

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 1

BREAKFAST

TO ORDER

LUNCH

IN HOUSE FRESH SOUR DOUGH BREAD SERVED WITH WHIPPED MAPLE BUTTER

PEARL COUS COUS/LEMON/RED ONION/TOMATO/ CHARRED PEPPERS/ CUCUMBER SALAD

SNAP PEAS/MINT/BURRATA/ FRESH BASIL PESTO SALAD CHICKEN MILANESE

GRILLED HALIBUT CHEEKS/GRASS-FED BUTTER/GARLIC/LEMON

ITALIAN LEMON & RICOTTA SOUFLEE

OPTIONS OF IN-HOUSE ASSORTED ICE CREAM & SORBETS

HORS D’OEUVRES

MINI CHARSU PORK BAO BUNS

SALMON TOSTADAS/CHARRED LEEK/

NORI BUTTER/CARAMELIZED GREEN ONION

BUTTER TOASTED BRIOCHE/ MUSHROOM DUXELLE/ CHARRED A5 WAGYU

STARTER

CHARSU PORK BAO BUNS

MAIN COURSE

ASIAN BEEF SHORT RIB/ JASMIN RICE/ CHARRED SEASONAL VEGETABLES/ STICKY HOISON REDUCTION

DESSERT

YUZU MERINGUE TART/SESAME TUILL

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 2

BREAKFAST

TO ORDER

LUNCH

MEDITERRANEAN GREEK SALAD

GRILLED HALLOUMI SKEWERS/HONEY/SESAME/LEMON

SPANAKOPITA

MINI GRILLED BEEF SOUVLAKI

TZATZIKI/HUMMUS/TARAMASALATA SERVED WITH FRESH WARM PITA

CHICKEN GYROS BITES

CHARRED GREEK PEPPERS & LEMON POTATOES

BAKLAVA

OPTIONS OF IN-HOUSE ASSORTED ICE CREAM

HORS D’OEUVRES

(ASSORTED SUSHI)

HAMACHI CRUDO

TUNA/SALMON NIGIRI

SPICY TUNA CRISPY RICE

STARTER

WHIPPED FETA/BLOOD ORANGE/BEETROOT/DILL/PISTACHIO SALAD

MAIN COURSE

GRASS-FED FILLET STEAK/ POTATO FONDANT/ CHARRED BALSAMIC

BABY RED ONION/ZUCHINI SPIRALS /RED WINE REDUCTION

DESSERT

STRAWBERRY PAVLOVA

FRENCH MERINGUE/STRAWBERRIES/

STRAWBERRY GEL VEIL

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 3

BREAKFAST

TO ORDER

LUNCH

CORN TORTILLA CHIPS SERVED WITH CHUNKY

GUACAMOLE/HOUSE-MADE PINEAPPLE/BLACK BEAN SALSA

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER SALAD

(ROASTED BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER/MIXED SALAD/ SOUR CREAM DRESSING/ TOASTED SEEDS)

SWEET CORN ELOTE

(SWEET CORN/RED ONION/ CORIANDER/ COTJA CHEESE)

“CATCH OF THE DAY”- CRISPY FISH TACOS

(CORN TORTILLA/LIGHTLY BATTERED FISH/ SPICY TOMATILLO SALSA/ FRESH CABBAGE/ CORIANDER)

SPICY PRAWN TACOS

( FLOUR TORTILLA/CAJUN FRIED PRAWNS/PINEAPPLE/ LIME/ CORIANDER/MANGO/HABANERO )

FREE RANGE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

(PULLED CHICKEN /MOLE ROJO/SALSA VERDE/CREAM/ MICROLEAF)

WATERMELON WEDGES/TAJIN

MINI CHURROS SERVED WITH CINNAMON/SUGAR & CARAMEL SAUCE

HORS D’OEUVRES

FRIED CHICKEN/CAVIAR/RANCH

HONEY & THYME BAKED PETITE

CAMEMBERT

TUNA TAR TAR/SWEET CORN PUREE/ SCALLION & BLACK SESAME GEL

STARTER

SALMON CRUDO/GRAPEFRUIT PEARLS/HERB OIL/PONZU GEL

MAIN COURSE

CHICKEN BALLONTINE SERVED WITH

WILD MUSHROOM GNOCCI

DESSERT

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING/ IN HOUSE BIRCH-BUTTER PECAN ICE-CREAM

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 4

BREAKFAST

TO ORDER

LUNCH

BURRATA ESALADA

TAGLIATA CON RUCOLA

(ASSORTED IN HOUSE SOURDOUGH PIZZAS)

OLD FASHIONED MARGARITA PIZZA

NDJUA/PEPPERONI/ HOT HONEY PIZZA

JAMON/BURATTA/PEPPERONCHINI/ CALABRIAN CHILLI PIZZA

PIZZA BIANCA

(MUSHROOMS/CREME FRAÎCHE/ CHARRED PEPPERS/BURRATA/RADDICHO)

AMARETTO PEACHES/MADAGASCAR VANILLA ICE CREAM/ SHAVED ALMOND

HORS D’OEUVRES

CARAMALIZED BRIE STUFFED DATES

FOIE GRAS/TRUFFLE TERRINE/CHERRY GEL

CAVIAR FRIES

STARTER

MOULES MARINIERE

MAINS COURSE

CHAR GRILLED FRENCHED RACK OF LAMB//POTATO FONDANT/HEIRLOOM

CARROTS/SUMMER RADISH/ MUSTARD SEED/BORDELAISE SAUCE

DESSERT

CRÈME BRÛLÉE

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 5

LUNCH

VERGETABLE RICE PAPER ROLLS

PRAWN RICE PAPER ROLLS

SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

NAM JIMJAEW(THAI DIPPING SAUCE)

CARABINEROS COOKED IN A SPICY TOM TUM BUTTER

YUM NUA(THAI BEEF SALAD)

CHICKEN PAD THAI

FRIED BANANA/CHILLI CARAMEL SAUCE/MANGO SORBET

HORS D’OEUVRES

TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

PATATAS BRAVAS

CRISPY CALAMARI/ LEMON AOILI

STARTER

TEMPURA FRIED ZUCCHINI FLOWER STUFFED WITH

HERBED RICOTTA/PISTACHIO PESTO/MICRO HERBS

MAIN COURSE

LINGUINE ALA VONGOLE

HOME MADE LINGUINE/FRESH CLAMS/WHITE WINE/

PECORINO ROMANO/BLACK PEPPER

DESSERT

TIRAMISU CITRON/LEMON PRESERVE/ LEMON SORBET/ HONEYCOMB

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 6

BREAKFAST

TO ORDER

LUNCH

CLASSIC CEASAR SALAD

PICKLED CUCUMBER/FRISÉE/STRAWBERRY/PISTACHIO/POPPED QUINOA

SUMMER SALAD

GOURMET A5 WAGYU BEEF SMASH BURGER ON A IN-HOUSE BRIOCHE BUN

CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH ON A IN HOUSE BRIOCHE BUN

BLACK TRUFFLE PARMESAN FRIES

BURNED ORANGE AND HONEY PANNA COTTA

HORS D’OEUVRES

MINI CARAMALIZED ONION & FETA PALMIER

TOMATO GAZPACHO/PIMENTO STUFFED OLIVES/ANCHOVY

KING CRAB/BLOOD ORANGE BUERRE BLANC/CAVIAR

STARTER

COURGETTE/PEAS/CUCUMBER/STRACCIATELLA SALAD

MAIN COURSE

SLOW ROASTED CRISPY PORK BELLY/CAULIFLOWER SOUP/MELON/

TEMPURA FRIED SHISHO/APPLE BOURBON GLAZE

DESSERT

ROASTED WHITE CHOCOLATE SAN SEBASTIÁN BASQUE CHEESE CAKE

BOOZY CHERRIES

MY GUEST SAMPLE MENU 7

BREAKFAST

TO ORDER

LUNCH

(HARVEST TABLE- LAND TO SEA LUNCH)

IN HOUSE FRESH SOUR-DOUGH FOCCACIA

SLICED BONE-IN THICK CUT RIB EYE STEAK/ CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

BUTTER POACHED SLIPPER LOBSTER

HARVEST GARDEN VEGETABLE MEDLY GRAIN SALAD

TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD

MELON/JAMON SERRANO/ARUGULA/MINT & MOZZARELLA SALAD

ASSORTMENT OF CHEESE

PISTACHIO BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST STACKS WITH MADAGASCAN VANILLA ICE CREAM

HORS D’OEUVRES

BRAISED A5 WAGYU/CORIANDER/PEA/COTJA/SULTANA MINI TACOS

DEVILED DRAGON EGGS WITH OESETRA CAVIAR

FRIED GOATS CHEESE BALL/CANDIED BEET GEL/PICKLED BEETS

STARTER

LOBSTER/ORZO/SUNDRIED TOMATO CREAM/PEA FOAM/PEA TENDRIL

MAIN COURSE

PAN-SEARED CHILLEAN SEABASS/PARMESEAN POLENTA/

BROCCOLINI/PEA TENDRILS/

PASSIONFRUIT BUERRE BLANC

DESSERT

MILK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE/ RASPBERRY GEL/ DARK CHOCLATE & RASPERRY TRUFFLE WHITE CHOCOLATE SNOW