Born and raised in Saginaw Michigan, Harold Lee Rosbach is the second of seven children. While Capt. Lee has been in the industry for over 20 years, he started yachting a little later in life than your average "yachtie." While living in the Turks and Caicos Islands managing a restaurant, Lee was attracted to the industry after serving as a mate on a sailboat delivery to earn some extra money. At the age of 35, Lee took the time to get his Captain's license and left the restaurant management business to pursue his newfound passion for the seas. Having worked both private and charter, Captain Lee prefers charter as he feels the joy he gets in seeing his guests' expressions, as they view the beautiful scenery, is priceless and not something he can get in an office setting. He loves his job and everyday looks forward to new people and new adventures. Capt Lee is always ready to answer the call of the Caribbean or the Med. There is always a new adventure just beyond the sunset. Some of the yachts that have been under his command are 163' Cuor di Leone, 162' Mustang Sally, 155' Ohana, 140' Just Enough, 135' Atlantica, 135' Feadship Sea Ghost, 120' Sovereign, Pauly D, Insatiable, Morganstar, and Mostro.
"Below Deck" season premiere Sunday, Oct. 18 at 8e|5p
During her eight year career as a stewardess, Kate Chastain was known for planning and executing lavish vacations aboard glamorous mega yachts with effortless, and sometimes creative, aplomb. Because saying "no" is never an option in the yachting industry, running the equivalent of a five star hotel in the middle of the ocean often required a little craftiness. She quickly learned to use whatever was available to impress her guests as she entertained royalty, celebrities and business tycoons around the world. Kate's yachting career has taken her through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America and New England but her favorite experience was a 21 day trip crossing the Atlantic Ocean. When Kate's not busy catering to the demands of her high profile charter guests, she enjoys working on her blog Lucky Charming and is excited about the release of her book of the same name later this year. In addition to the aforementioned travelogue being published, Kate is also working on a second book that takes all of the entertaining and housekeeping tricks she learned over the years and shows the reader how they can live the charmed life without owning a yacht.
Amy Johnson, 31, a southern belle known for her spirited attitude and enthusiastic personality, grew up in the small town of Wichita Falls, Texas. Amy graduated from Texas A&M with a business degree in Marketing and was recruited to the nation's top selling Cadillac dealership as a sales representative, where she remained for several years. Realizing she was lacking two things she loved most, travel and adventure, she moved down to Florida. Amy's impeccable work ethic, positive approach and adaptable personality allowed her land a job on yacht with no prior experience. After eight years in the industry, countless adventures, and unbelievable experiences—she credits her faith and a smile as the key to her success.
Eddie Lucas was raised on the East Coast attending boarding schools and exploring recreational diversions on the Chesapeake and Buzzards Bays. Early on he learned to ski, fish and took advantage of any offered outdoor educational opportunities including earning a degree in Adventure Education from Green Mountain College, becoming proficient in rafting, rock climbing and scuba diving. After surviving a car accident five years ago, Eddie learned to live life to the fullest and to appreciate everything he has.
Don Abenante, 28, grew up in the small town of Warren, Rhode Island with his parents and younger sister. Growing up, Don was very close with his father, a diesel mechanic; always working on projects together and even building a vintage boat when he was 10-years-old. When his father passed away when Don was 16-years-old, he continued the passion his father had for engineering and went on to graduate from college with a degree in automotive and diesel technology. After graduation, Don worked at a local car dealership as an automotive technician, but was approached to fix an engine on a 157 foot yacht. Don was amazed by the beauty and elegance of the ship and knew that working on the water was where he wanted to be. He has been an engineer on various yachts and tugboats for the past eight years. Don's love for the industry, passion for tinkering with engines and being able to travel the world keep him motivated to excel at what he does. In the little spare time he has, Don enjoys building motorcycles and hot rods.
Connie Arias, 28, was born in Long Island, New York, but considers Melbourne Beach, Florida home. Growing up in a sleepy beach town and living just eight houses away from the ocean, she had no choice but to become a water baby. Her life revolved around boating, surfing, and fishing and it is still that way today. She started surfing at the age of seven, competing at age of 12 and then moved on to join the women's World Qualifying Series of surfing. After years of competing she graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in child development, but Connie wasn't ready for a "normal" life. She wanted to travel the world and live on the water, so she put teaching on hold to pursue a career in yachting and began working on boats as a deckhand. Being able to explore the world has had Connie living a pretty surreal life and is looking forward to where yachting takes her.
Raquel, 26, was raised in a Californian aquatic circus. Daughter of two Eco-activists, her dad is a surgeon, and her mom is a pioneer and world champion surfer. Following in her parents wake, Rocky is an accomplished water woman, surfer, and a competitive national diver. She earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Hawaii, and graduated with a BA in U.S. History. This American girl has traveled to all over the world, living life to the fullest, pursuing her authentic beliefs—all encompassing the outdoors. She's a modern day original gypsy, flipping, and twisting from mountain, sea, to city. She's a certified ski instructor, surf guide, aquabat, angler, yogi, and cook. Her drive and passion for life experience led her to culinary school in the Big Apple. After her wild ride in NYC, Rocky's deep love for the ocean drew her to the yacht scene. One thing's for sure, whatever is left to explore she will find it.
Born and raised in South Africa, Emile Kotze grew weary of the small-town life and left his country at 20-years-old with little to his name except a new skipper's license and big dreams. He was always surrounded by the water—sailing trips on the weekend, cray fishing, and surfing—but never realized he could make a career of it. He was a family man, raised by young parents and very close with his sister and grandparents. He came to America with the expectation of doing sales research for his father's business, but met a Captain who revealed the alternative lifestyle yachting could provide. From that moment on Emile has been a mate and deckhand on various ships, voyaging around the world, experiencing different cultures, and making the clientele as happy as possible.
Chef Leon Walker grew up travelling all around the world and integrates the exquisite foods he has tasted along the way into his dining experiences. Of English and Jamaican decent, Leon's father taught him his passion for cooking at a young age, and when he was 18-years-old he was given the opportunity to cook aboard the Queen Elizabeth on his first transatlantic voyage. Since then, Leon has cooked across all levels of Michelin rated restaurants and onboard several mega-yachts with royalty, celebrities, and VIP guests. He likes to explore rare ingredients and combine colors and texture to create a delicious melody of flavors and provide a final dish that tastes as beautiful as it looks. Currently single, Leon has a flirtatious appeal but the true loves of his life are his two daughters. He resides in Australia where he is the owner and Head Chef of Wink II Restaurant, Wink Catering and Wink Café.