Oya

Alexander Podolsky

Nationality: French
Languages: French, English

Captain Alexander is an experienced and professional yacht captain with over five years of hands-on experience across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Australia. He is known for his strong leadership, guest-focused approach, and ability to manage yacht operations to a high standard, always with safety, service, and smooth execution in mind.

His recent experience includes captaining luxury vessels such as a Sunseeker Manhattan 68 in Malta and a VanDutch 55 in Saint Martin, as well as working as Fleet Manager in Dubai, where he oversaw a fleet of luxury charter yachts, crew management, maintenance planning, charter coordination, and day-to-day operational readiness. This combination of captaincy and fleet oversight reflects a well-rounded and capable professional with strong technical and organisational understanding.

With additional experience in deliveries, tender operations, guest transfers, mechanical work, and private owner cruising, Alexander brings a practical, service-led, and highly adaptable approach to life on board. Calm under pressure and committed to maintaining high standards, he is well suited to both private and charter yacht environments

Qualifications: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercially Endorsed 200GT) | STCW Basic Safety Training | ENG1 Medical Certificate | VHF Short Range Certificate | Efficient Deck Hand MCA | Malta Seaman Records Book

Ines Härström

Nationality: Swedish
Languages: Italian, Danish, English, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish

Ines is a motivated and versatile Swedish chef with seven years of global hospitality experience and proven longevity across multiple charter seasons in Europe and the Caribbean. Growing up by the ocean, she developed an early passion for boating, watersports, and life at sea — a passion that naturally evolved into a career in yachting.

With hands-on experience across deck, interior, and galley roles, Ines brings a rare blend of seamanship, service excellence, and culinary skill. Her background includes charter work on sailing catamarans and monohulls, private yacht service aboard a 44m motor yacht, and high-volume hospitality roles on a 122m cruise vessel. She is known for her adaptability, strong work ethic, and commitment to creating memorable guest experiences in every environment.

Matthew Ballantyne

Nationality: British
Languages: English

Matthew is a motivated and hands-on deckhand/engineer with a robust sailing background and technical expertise in mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems. Certified as an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and AEC 1 & 2 Engineer, he brings a versatile skill set and youthful energy to OYA.

With experience on high-performance sailing yachts and extensive refit projects, he thrives under pressure and quickly adapts to challenges on board. Matthew’s racing credentials and watchkeeping experience make him a dependable crew member both on deck and below. Passionate, detail-oriented, and always ready to learn, he is a valuable asset to the OYA team.