online Curriculum Vitae
MCA MASTER (YACHTS) <3000 GT
references
As a captain, I believe references should reflect perspectives from both management, previous captains and the crew I lead and support.
Testimonials and references from operational managers and former captains outline my performance, while endorsements from Chief Officers, Chief Stewardesses, and other crew members demonstrate my ability to lead, mentor, teach and develop a cohesive team.
The references on this page were kindly provided by crew with whom I have worked for and alongside on three superyachts over the past decade. I hope their views offer independent confirmation of my positive work ethic, character, and leadership style.
Trevor Ohlsen
MY Astra
Captain
2015 - 2019
Ben served as my 2nd & First Officer for around 4 years aboard Astra from 2015-2018 and having him aboard was a massively rewarding experience, from start to finish.
His leadership style was consistent, level-headed and fair, injecting carefully-placed humour to dissipate stress or fatigue effectively. His standards were high and getting 'stuck in' seemed to be his mantra.
From a general performance point of view, I couldn't complain if I tried: Safety, watches, procedures, yacht manoeuvring, admin and guest care were all smoothly taken care of, leaving me to focus on my own duties without a single worry.
Top marks from me
Dylan Dooley-Jones
MY Vector
Chief Officer
2024 - 2025
Ben consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout our time working together. His safety knowledge was thorough, practical, and well-applied in daily operations, setting a clear and professional standard for the entire crew.
Ben has a strong natural ability to teach and mentor, explaining procedures clearly and patiently, and ensuring individuals felt confident asking questions or seeking guidance.
Ben’s people skills are one of his strongest assets; he creates a calm, respectful, and inclusive working environment where crew members feel valued, supported, and comfortable performing their duties. His approachable manner and clear communication help build trust and morale, even in high-pressure situations.
Highly organised and proactive, Ben leads by example and consistently earns the respect and confidence of those working under his command. I would not hesitate working with/under Ben in the future again.
I would highly recommended him.
Connor Maclellan
MY Astra
Deckhand
2017 - 2019
I worked under Ben as a deckhand on Astra in my first role in yachting, and he set a very strong foundation for how I approached the industry. He was a great teacher, taking the time to explain things properly and setting clear standards around safety, maintenance, and how a deck department should be run at a high level, with guests always in mind.
Ben always managed to keep crew morale really high, made the job enjoyable, and was someone you genuinely wanted to work for.
Ben always pushed learning beyond just what was needed — whether through drills, proactive guest-on scenarios, or day-to-day maintenance. Everything was engaging and well thought out, helping us understand the bigger picture and why things were done a certain way, which meant we became a more efficient and knowledgeable crew.
I progressed into leadership roles onboard 100m+ yachts within a few years, and I can credit a lot of that to the foundation and leadership Ben guided me through as a junior crew member.
Jonathon Hopps
MY Siren
Chief Officer
2021 - 2023
I joined Siren where Ben was one of the rotational Chief Officers and I was a newly qualified OOW. Ben’s leadership skills are the foundation for how I lead today. He always looks at tasks from a different angle to most and in an Industry where you are expected to do things in a certain way, it’s quite a refreshing change.
Ben is excellent with guests but his real point of difference is that he genuinely cares for the crew and will go above and beyond to keep moral high and this just transcends throughout the boat.
He’s a born leader and meticulous to the letter.
PEPPE LUCCHESI
MY Khalidah
Captain
It is with great pleasure to provide this reference for Captain Ben O’Hara, with whom I have had the pleasure of working on several vessels, most recently aboard MY Vector.
Ben is an extremely capable, organised, and adaptable Captain who is a natural leader. He has a solid knowledge and understanding of running a busy and unpredictable private/charter programme, while ensuring that the client’s asset is maintained to the highest standards in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
Ben is highly guest-oriented and genuinely enjoys going above and beyond to ensure that guests have a truly special and memorable experience whilst onboard. He is a natural people person with excellent guest and crew facing skills and is able to put people at ease through his confidence, professionalism, and personable presence.
Bens attention to detail and commitment to exceptional service are evident in every aspect of the vessel’s operation, and he actively supports and takes a keen interest in each department without being an overbearing or micromanaging Captain.
When working opposite Ben I always had absolute confidence that I would be returning to a well-run and well-organised vessel, with a thorough handover and a happy and motivated crew. Ben takes great pride in ensuring that crew are treated fairly, which is clearly reflected in the crews morale and their willingness to go above and beyond for him.
It would be an absolute pleasure to work with Ben again in the future, and I would not hesitate to recommend him for any Captain’s position on a vessel from 60-
Celina Gray
MY Siren
Chief Stewardess
I worked with Ben O’ Hara from May 2020 to March 2023 while he was Chief Officer/ Relief Captain.
During this time, I was transitioning into the Chief Stewardess role and Ben supported me immensely, always offering encouragement, guidance, and trust. He was a strong team player who worked closely with all departments and genuinely cared about crew morale and welfare.
Ben has a vibrant, positive personality and was very well liked by both crew and guests. He consistently went above and beyond in his role and always put the wellbeing of the crew first, which helped create a happy, supportive, and professional working environment on board. He has the ability to get the best out of the crew due to his hardworking yet nurturing demeanour, he would be an asset to any vessel and crew.
Jacob Barnett
MY Vector
2nd Officer/Chief Officer
2024 - Present
Throughout my time working with Ben he has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, and interpersonal skills. As a captain, he leads with calm authority and sound judgment, creating and environment where both crew and guests feel confident, respected, and well cared for.
Ben is an excellent communicator who sets clear expectations while remaining approachable and supportive. He promotes strong teamwork, encourages growth and accountability, and leads by example in all aspects of operations onboard. Crew respond positively to his leadership style, which balances discipline with fairness and mutual respect.
In addition to their leadership abilities, Ben possesses a strong sense of responsibility and integrity. Safety, guest satisfaction, crew morale, and operational excellence are always his top priorities. He handles high-pressure situations with composure and makes well-considered decisions that reflect both experience and sound judgement.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working under Ben and would not hesitate to work with him again in the future. I would highly recommend him.
Kevin Dumont
MY Astra
Second Officer
2018-2019
I had the pleasure of working under this Chief Officer on previous yachts, where his leadership consistently set an excellent example.
He was firm and disciplined when required, yet approachable and fun when the situation allowed, creating a balanced and motivating working environment.
In challenging situations, he proved to be highly trustworthy, always offering sound advice and clear direction. He maintained a respectful and encouraging approach toward junior crew, fostering confidence and growth.
His safety knowledge was exceptionally well established, earning the trust of the entire crew.
Overall, he is a great Chief Officer with strong values, a passion for teaching, and an ability to create a positive and professional atmosphere on board.
OUR CREATIVE TEAM
Iana Alikina
MY Vector
Chief Stewardess
2025-2026
I had the pleasure of working with Captain Ben for over two years, and I can confidently say that this experience was a great privilege. Working with such a high-level professional is truly rare.
When working with Captain Ben, you can always be assured of the highest standards of professionalism and safety. His knowledge, leadership, and decision-making consistently inspired confidence.
Captain Ben has an exceptional ability to create a calm, friendly, and supportive atmosphere within the crew, even in the most stressful situations. He is always approachable and willing to offer guidance or advice, which makes working under his leadership both comfortable and motivating.
Guests and yacht owners consistently spoke very highly of Ben’s personal and professional qualities. He has a remarkable talent for understanding people and was able to find the right approach even with the most demanding guests, ensuring an outstanding experience for everyone on board.
Yulia Bates
MY Vector
Chief stewardess
2025 - Present
Ben is an exceptionally positive, energetic, and approachable captain, it was an absolute pleasure to work with.
His communication is excellent - clear, open, and inclusive, which creates a relaxed yet highly effective team environment.
He brings great energy onboard and makes work enjoyable while maintaining very high standards.
He is fantastic with guests, naturally fun and engaging, and always focused on ensuring both crew and guests are happy. I truly enjoyed working with him and would do so again in a heartbeat.
ANDREW PERKS
MY Vector
Chief Officer
2023-2025
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
CALLUM MORRIS
MY Siren
Second Officer
2018 - Present
Ben served as my First Officer aboard Siren when I was a wee deckhand and has since gone on to become a Captain, which comes as no surprise to anyone who has worked with him.
He was always funny, hardworking, outgoing, and incredibly imaginative, someone who brought positive energy into every situation.
He’s the kind of person you’re genuinely glad to have around, even when he is stitching you up with a prank, he brings a sharp work ethic and a great sense of humour.
Ben truly understands how to keep crew morale high and has excellent guest relations, making him stand out as a strong leader and he just “gets it” and is always keeping up with changing trends and new generations coming into the industry.
He was truly missed by everyone when he left, not only by us but by the owner as well so it just goes to show the impact he had onboard. I’d happily work under him again anytime, and I’m hoping that day will come soon.