NJ Charters Blog: M/Y Bel Mare, The True Fijian Charter Experience

Bel Mare

Located in Fiji year around at Port Denarau, the motor catamaran, Bel Mare, is available for chartering the Fijian Islands. At 86′ with a beam of almost 28 feet, this yacht offers ample on board space for 6 guests in 3 guest staterooms all with ensuite baths. Big wide deck spaces are available as well, for comfortable on deck living, dining and just relaxing, and as with most catamarans, Bel Mare is quite stable, and with the shallow draft of only 6′, the yacht can anchor close to almost any island. Bel Mare is a perfect yacht for island hopping through the various island chains in Fiji. However, the real “piece de resistance” of a charter in Fiji on Bel Mare, is the Captain Neal Adams and the all native Fijian crew. Fiji has a fabulous and unique culture, especially as seen in the island villages, many of which are only reachable by yacht. On Bel Mare, the Fijian crew will welcome you on board and show you the islands in the Fijian way.

Crew of Bel Mare in Fiji

Following is the crew profile highlighting the native Fijian aspect of this crew, as it is this aspect that makes a charter on Bel Mare the true Fijian Experience, including that huge world famous Fijian smile.

CAPTAIN
NEAL ADAMS
A native New Zealander, Neal has spent over 30 years on charter yachts worldwide before settling closer to home in the Fijian Islands. Neal has a passion for cruising and chartering and has a knack for making people feel comfortable and enjoy their time while on board. He also enjoys the friendliness of the Fijian people and has identified this as contributing to the success of the Bel Mare.

CHIEF ENGINEER
JOSEPH SAMUELA
Joseph is a tall young, hard working energetic member of the crew.
Although he is a Class 3 commercial engineer and in charge of making sure all runs right, Joseph also can be seen driving the tender, and assisting with all the water sports. He is a great scuba diver. Of Rotuman/European descent, with a Fijian mother and European father, Joseph was raised on a Fijian island and now has a Fijian wife and two young boys. Joseph is always smiling and is very personable and friendly. And at night, Joseph has been known to join the other crew on the ukulele singing island songs.

CHEF
MANASA HERITAGE
Manasa is a native Fijian with a welsh grandfather. Manasa is married with 4 children and lives with his wife Litia in Lami, where in his youth, he was a talented wood carver.
Manasa has spent a large part of his life since as a chef and seaman working in the early days with Dilman Tanker and Gas ships plying the world, where his cooking repertoire was brought to gourmet standards cooking for European officers and their guests. Since returning to Fiji, Manasa has been the Chef on board several charter yachts, producing local Fijian culinary delights with an international flair. Manasa is very flexible and can produce any menu to personal requirements, and will also pick up a guitar and join in singing island songs.

HEAD STEWARD
MOSESE MARAWAI “MO”
Mo comes from the tiny island of Komo in Lau, which is the most remote eastern part of Fiji. Humble and courteous with a big smile, Mo welcomes everyone on board and is very attentive to every need. Mo’s Grandfather is the Chief of his island, which is a hereditary position, that may one day pass down to Mo. As such, Mo is very well versed in island cultural ceremonies and dances and is the “cultural attache” on board to organize all village visits. He is the Bel Mare “Chief” when visiting villages and for the Sevusevu ceremonial presentation of Kava root to request permission for Bel Mare guests to come ashore.

Mo is also a talented musician and singer, having had a band in earlier years featuring Fijian music. Mo is the leader on board singing and playing the guitar to entertain the Fijian way, with music and island songs around the Kava bowl.

Village SevuSevu Presentation of the Kava Root