One of the highlights of a luxury charter cruise on board El Aleph is our incredible crew. As well as being experienced seamen and having years of hospitality experience, they instinctively understand guests’ needs and ensure that they are not only met, but exceeded.
You’ll find that our crew are always on hand when you need them yet they also understand your needs for privacy during your exclusive voyage. They’ll always be ready to greet you with a welcoming smile, prepare dinners to your liking, assist you with water sport activities, sail you to an uninhabited island and show you around the ship should you wish to know more about her.
Find out a little bit more about our wonderful team here….
Captain: Gusti Gede Suantara
Gusti is Balinese born and has spent much of his life around the east coast of Bali. Gusti comes from a family of fishermen in Jasri, Karangasem, Bali. He completed his 4 year captaincy course at the Surabaya marine college. Since then, Gusti has risen through the ranks and became a Chief Captain of a cargo boat sailing around Raja Ampat and other remote areas. Gusti knows every inch of the Indonesian archipelago. Gusti is a great leader for our crew and you’ll always find he has a genuine smile and a friendly nature. Gusti joined the El Aleph team in 2011.
1st Officer: Benjamin Mae
Benjamin originates from Ende in Flores – an island in the same region as Komodo. Benjamin began his sailing career in 1995 when he started working on cargo vessels. Since then, Benjamin has spent 15 years working on a liveaboard and luxury cruise vessel sailing the Indonesian Archipelago. Benjamin has a passion for the oceans and is a keen whale and dolphin spotter! If you’d like to take an island trip, it’s most likely that Benjamin will be captaining one of our speedboats to get you there. Benjamin is also responsible for the maintenance of El Aleph – he has been a member of the El Aleph team since 2010.
2nd Officer: Nurman
Our 2nd Officer, Nurman is from Makasar and has been working on boats since he was graduated from high school in 2000. Nurman has experience as a deck hand and a dinghy driver on several other boats prior to joining El Aleph, including both passenger and cargo vessels. Nurman has a warm heart and he is also a certified Scuba Diver who loves everything related to the ocean. Nurman started working aboard El Aleph in 2011 and he completed 2nd Officer certification in 2016.
Chief Engineer: Safarudin (Udin)
Our Chief Engineer Udin was born in Sulawesi – which is where El Aleph was constructed. Udin began his sailing career by working as an oiler in 2001 aboard a liveaboard vessel. After 8 years of working on ships, Udin gained his certifications at the Surabaya Marine College in Java to become a Chief Engineer. Udin is the man that can fix everything and anything. Udin is also in charge of maintaining our rebreather units and he is a keen scuba diver himself – and an excellent spotter! Udin joined El Aleph in 2013.
1st Engineer: Teddy Eko
Like Udin, Teddy is a naval engineer certified by the Surabaya Marine College. Teddy has worked as a ship’s engineer from 2000 and he has worked on many boats all over the Indonesian Archipelago. Teddy joined the El Aleph team in 2013 and he maintains, services and manages the technical aspects of the vessel. Teddy is also a certified gas blender so if you are looking forward to scuba diving during your cruise Teddy is always happy to prepare any blends of Nitrox or Trimix you would like.
Engineer: Slamet
Slamet originates from Java and prior to joining our team he had experience working on both cargo vessels and tug boats. Slamet joined El Aleph in 2016 and he loves life aboard. Slamet is excellent at maintaining El Aleph and ensuring that everything is in good working order. Slamet has top notch mechanical skills. Slamet is also the proud father of 5 daughters who have taught him his dancing skills – watch out for him after the beach barbecue, when the music starts playing he loves to show off his dancing talents!
Steward: Igusti Bagus Wirasentana
Bagus graduated in tourism and hospitality in 2001. Bagus worked in hospitality for eight years as a restaurant supervisor in world famous restaurants in Bali. Bagus climbed the ranks to become El Aleph’s Chief Steward. Bagus has a cheerful disposition and has attentiveness to our guests. Bagus also speaks both Indonesian and English. Bagus is always serving with a smile. He is also a very talented artist: impressive drawing skills, super skilled musician and full of wisdom. His signature cocktails and mocktails are also a must try over sunset!
Room Service: Nyoman Nasiun
Nyoman is our room service professional – he will ensure that your room is made up and turned down to a tee. Your bed will have the smartest corners, your room will be immaculate and you’ll find it made up to exceed your expectations. Nyoman is Balinese and graduated in Bali’s top tourism school, he worked for many years in luxury villas before joining El Aleph. Nyoman started working on luxury yachts in 2006 and joined the El Aleph team in 2009. Nyoman is amazing to have aboard – whatever you could think of asking for, Nyoman will make it happen. He will make you feel comfortable and at home aboard El Aleph.
Chef: Agus Pramono
Agus was trained in Bali and has experience of working on luxury yachts since 2001. He has headed up the kitchen on some of Indonesia’s most luxury vessels. Agus has worked aboard El Aleph since 2009. Agus specialises in Western-Asian fusion cuisine. Agus also has many year’s of experience in exclusive Japanese restaurants and he has trained with an exceptional Thai chef. His on-board home made ice creams and sorbets, as well as all of his other deserts, will make you forget your diet plans! Agus can cater for any dietary requirements which you may have and can create custom menus in advance of your cruise.
Assistant Chef: Made Budi Arthana Pasek
Pasek is a graduate from Bali’s tourism school. Pasek is an assistant to both Chef Agus and Steward Bagus. If there is anything you need, Pasek will make sure it happens. Pasek also speaks fluent English (and Indonesian), so he can help with any translations you need. He also has one of the most welcoming of smiles and loves to lend a helping hand. Pasek is also responsible for stocking the food supplies on board, organising the kitchen and keeping it gleaming. If you have any special requests when you are on board, Pasek will ensure that they are taken care of. He’s also passionate about marine life and loves looking out for surfacing whales – when he’s not busy taking care of guests!
Deckhand: Rochadi Setiawan (Wawan)
Our Deckhand Wawan, has been with El Aleph since 2010. Wawan has a friendly nature and will always welcome you with a smile. Wawan is an excellent dinghy driver should you wish to go to shore. Wawan also maintains our scuba diving and snorkeling equipment and will always have your gear prepared for you in advance of any activities. If you’d like to try traditional Indonesian fishing, with just a fishing line and your wits about you, Wawan is an excellent teacher – and Agus will prepare your catches for dinner. It’s a great afternoon activity from the deck of El Aleph!
Deck Hand: Muhamad Arif
Arif has been working for El Aleph since 2016. Arif is originally from Makassar in South Sulawesi and he is an excellent dinghy driver. If you’d like to visit an uninhabited island or go to shore, it may be Arif that drives you. Arif does an incredible job of maintaining El Aleph and ensuring that every aspect of her is pristine. If you are hoping to spot whales and dolphins on the surface of the water then Arif is your man to ask – he is an excellent cetacean spotter! Arif has experience of sailing the entire Indonesian Archipelago and he is a delight to have aboard.
To find out more about our wonderful team, make a reservation, or for more information, please contact us on: info@elalephcruising.com
El Aleph is a luxury phinisi yacht that can be chartered for trips around Indonesia, including the Spice Islands, Banda Sea, Maluku, Raja Ampat and also Papua New Guinea.
Please not that El Aleph is only available for full charter and to ensure your privacy and exclusive service we do not take bookings for individual cabins.
