As a Camps Bay waitress, Kaela Bermeister used to navigate between tables to get to her customers. As a world-renowned superyacht captain she now steers between islands, taking her customers all over the world.
Two months ago, the former Cape Town student was awarded an international yachting award at a glittering ceremony in Amsterdam. She has gone from dealing with rock shandies to dodging rocky reefs.
“There wasn’t one single defining moment, but rather a gradual realisation that this was the life for me,” said the 32-year-old high seas traveller now based in Mallorca, Spain, where she captains a 40m 350 GT Moonen charter motor yacht.
Bermeister credits her Cape Town upbringing for sparking a deep love of the ocean. She attended Herzlia High School and used her waitressing earnings to help pay for a degree in financial management.
Upon completing her studies the allure of international travel led her to yachting rather than into the corporate world. “Being surrounded by water was a natural part of my life,” she told the Sunday Times this week. “While boating and maritime activities weren’t necessarily a direct part of my childhood, I’ve always had a deep connection to the sea.
“The idea of working on yachts came to me a bit later but once I discovered it, I knew it was where I wanted to be. The lifestyle, the challenge and the opportunity to explore the world really drew me in. It felt like a natural extension of my adventurous spirit, and that’s what led me to superyachts.
“The fast-paced lifestyle at sea was invigorating — the constant movement, the new challenges and the incredible sense of freedom. But it was also the opportunities that followed the hard work that really solidified my decision.
“It wasn’t just about being on the water; it was about the personal growth, the adventures and the doors that kept opening as I pushed forward. That’s what made me realise this was my true calling.”
Bermeister's knack for maritime adventure saw her rise quickly through the ranks in the charter world where she obtained multiple qualifications. Along the way she travelled the globe and put some distance between herself and the crowded Camps Bay beachfront.
“My favourite place to navigate around is probably the fjords in Norway, and the Swedish archipelago which has almost 30,000 small islands. In the summer months the sun doesn’t set, sunrise and sunset are merged into the same moment and it’s beyond magical.
“I have also been at sea close to a fire on a vessel which was called out using co-ordinates on the radio. We changed course to get to the scene and ended up being one of three yachts putting out a fire in the middle of the sea, helping the crew and waiting for the coastguard. Everyone was OK and the boat ended up being fine too.”
Last November Bermeister was awarded the Rising Star of the Year trophy at the inaugural Women’s Yachting Awards in Amsterdam. Maritime publication Superyacht Times said Bermeister's accolade was a tribute to her “exceptional leadership, inspiring crew and industry peers alike”.
“Her recognition highlights the growing role of young leaders who are redefining what it means to helm a superyacht.”
South Africa is well represented in the global superyacht trade, particularly in Mallorca which serves as an international superyacht hub. In recent years Cape Town has begun positioning itself as a regional superyacht centre of excellence, with training schools and top-end boatbuilding yards capable of producing top-quality leisure boats.
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is planning to develop a dedicated superyacht quay to cater for a surge in superyacht traffic after the conflict in the Middle East and Red Sea made the Suez Canal a risky proposition.
Bermeister believes her career offers much by way of life lessons. “I started out working in various crew positions, learning the ropes and gaining hands-on experience. Those early years were formative for me, as they not only taught me the technical skills of yachting but also gave me a deep understanding of the importance of teamwork and leadership.”
While Bermeister has rubbed shoulders with many VVIPs during her career, she is quick to point out that discretion is a prized quality in superyacht circles.
Some of the well-known superyachts to visit Cape Town in recent months include the 72m Game Changer, linked to US billionaire Gabe Newell, 62, well-known in maritime circles for owning an entire fleet of luxury yachts collectively worth about $1bn (R19bn).
Superyacht Cape Town director Veda Pretorius says the city is increasingly popular within the superyacht community. “Many superyacht captains I’ve spoken to are very excited to hear that we are developing Cape Town as a superyacht hub,” she said.
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