About Us
After sailing Kaleva, a forty foot trimaran, from New Zealand to Vanuatu in May-2008, we fell in love with Vanuatu and decided to make Port Vila our home. The name "Kaleva" comes from the islands and means both "the fastest canoe in the fleet" and "one who goes above and beyond." Kaleva - the trimaran we've been fortunate enough to circumnavigate the South Island of New Zealand on among numerous other voyages has well lived up to her name. We therefore decided to name our company after her.
Sam's background is in Marine Engineering. He was trained as a Boat Builder and Marine Engineer in Auckland. After completing his studies, he moved to the Mediterranean and worked aboard numerous super yachts as Engineer and Captain. His work took him all over the Mediterranean, Carribean, East Coast of the US and the Pacific. He's worked aboard Parimar, Altair, Mariette of 1915, The Maltese Falcon, Blue Gold and Squall, among others. He's well versed in mechanical and electrical engineering.
In the past few years Jess has worked aboard The Maltese Falcon, Blue Gold and Squall, as Stewardess and delivery crew. Prior to her yachting career, she managed international education programs in Istanbul, Washington DC and Japan. Her skills include program management, webdesign, flower arranging, writing, bookkeeping and computer skills. She was trained as a French and English teacher and has intermediate knowledge of Japanese, Spanish and Bislama.
Sam and Jess Bell