Meet Michael, a seasoned sailor whose love for the open waters has taken him on journeys all over the world. Navigating through the waters of the British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, and the Grenadines, to the remote destinations of French Polynesia and the Seychelles. With a passion for sailing, Michael has seamlessly transitioned from exploring the world's most breathtaking destinations with The Moorings & Sunsail to now sharing his expertise and insights in the yacht brokerage industry. Whether you're a seasoned sailor seeking your next adventure or a newcomer eager to dip your toes into the world of cruising, Michael is here to guide you every step of the way. With his wealth of experience and dedication to client satisfaction, he's your trusted partner in turning your waterfront dreams into reality.
Our Team
Brokers
Michael Winberg - Office: Clearwater, FL
Giles Wood - Office: Tortola, BVI
Giles’ first memory of sailing was sitting on the bow of a dinghy when he was 5, while he sailed around the bay with his Dad. He has been sailing ever since. After studying engineering at university he worked as a sales manager selling classic and sports cars. He cast off his lines 15 years ago and returned to the water. As an MCA/RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor, he has been around the world skippering, racing and teaching and brings his enthusiasm for sailing to the brokerage. After 10 years in the brokerage based in Tortola he has a lot of experience with the boats and the process to pass on.
Richard Vass - Office: Tortola, BVI
Richard Vass first moved to the British Virgin Islands more than a decade ago, working for both Sunsail and The Moorings during this time. Richard’s family are keen sailors and his introduction to yachts began at an early age. Drawing on his knowledge of charter yachts, passion for sailing, and his local knowledge, you’ll find Richard a friendly chap who is happy to explain the brokerage process as well as help you find your dream yacht.
Daniela Jerkovic - Office: Croatia
Daniela was born and raised in Croatia and has been around boats and the sea her whole life. She studied at the College of Maritime Studies in Split, and has worked for Sunsail since 2003 in various positions from Purchasing and Logistics Manager to Customer Service and Base Manager. She began her current role as a Yacht Broker in 2015.
Marjorie Fillet - Office: Nice, France
Growing up in Nice on the French Riviera, Marjorie has had a lifelong affinity for the water. After completing her education in France and Thailand, with a Degree from Edhec Business school, Marjorie worked in superyacht chartering and had operational experience aboard the 120ft motoryacht ‘DB9’ for few seasons in Med. She joined the Sunsail Yacht Brokerage team in 2007 following four years as sales broker. Then she relocated to China for nine years to pursue a career in the Yachting industry. Before coming back to France, Marjorie took her young family cruising in the Coral sea aboard her 38ft catamaran. They enjoyed a six month sailing adventure, visiting Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Now back to France, she is delighted to continue with the Sunsail Brokerage team and to service buyers and sellers alike.
Alexandra Velliou - Office: Athens, Greece
Alexandra is from Palairos, a small fishing harbor where Sunsail and The Moorings were previously based (Vounaki resort). She studied Business and Tourism Administration and has been working for the company since 2012. Before starting with yacht sales in June 2019, Alexandra spent 2 years with the charter side of the business, working in customer service at Zea Marina in Athens.
Derrick Hill - Office: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Derrick started his maritime career almost 20 years ago as a dive instructor / boat captain working in the Caribbean. He later created a scuba diving business in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he had numerous opportunities to enjoy sailing and entertaining visitors to the area. After 12 years, Derrick sold his business and relocated to South Florida where he continues to enjoy providing assistance to boat sellers and buyers. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100 ton Captain’s License and PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating.
Ikraam Galant - Office: Cape Town, South Africa
Ikraam was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He studied Business Management and joined Sunsail and The Moorings 9 years ago as the Sales Manager in the charter division of the Cape Town Sales Office. Ikraam has good first-hand knowledge of our world renowned Leopard Catamarans having been to the Robertson & Caine factory on numerous occasions. He has experience sailing in the challenging waters of Cape Town, experienced the ocean safari like seas of The Seychelles, enjoyed the pristine conditions of the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands, sailed the exotic islands of Phuket and the majestic islands of Croatia. During his time with the company, he relocated to Asia as the Business Development Manager for Sunsail and The Moorings charter division. Upon his return to South Africa in September 2020, Ikraam is excited to join the Sunsail, Moorings and Leopard Brokerage team as a yacht broker.
Joe Ahern - Office: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Originally from Chicago, Joe discovered his passion for the sea on an Outward Bound Survival Course sailing from Maine to Bermuda roundtrip. This transformative experience ignited his love for the sea. After attending the prestigious Michigan State University, Joe honed his sales skills from his time at Echo Global Logistics and Salesforce. During the height of the COVID pandemic, he alone moved to Miami to be closer to the ocean and embrace a sense of freedom. With his strong professional background, Joe transitioned into the maritime industry by first working at a yacht charter company and then a maritime MLS. His expertise and enthusiasm for yachting led him to join Moorings Brokerage & Sunsail as a yacht broker. Joe has attended numerous prestigious yacht shows, including the renowned Monaco Yacht Show, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for detail to his clients. Whether you're buying or selling a yacht, Joe's dedication and passion ensure an exhilarating and seamless experience on your journey to the sea.
Regional Managers
Cyril Lelievre - Region: Europe, Asia, Africa
Cyril Lelievre has been sailing since his youth and his experience spans from skipper to teacher to racer. With an early career in the biggest shipyards of France, Cyril has been in the yacht brokerage business for nearly 20 years. Cyril opened The Moorings/Sunsail Brokerage office in Nice, France in 1999 and still manages that office today.
Patrick O'Reilly - Region: North America, South America, Australia
Patrick’s childhood summers were spent sailing the coast of Maine with his father on their Lightning. It was there that his interest for sailing began. Over the next 25 years he developed a passion, not just for sailing, but also for racing. Most of his time was spent cruising/racing in Galveston Bay. However, some of his favorite sailing destinations are the British Virgin Islands, Belize, and Cyclades in Greece. Finally able to mesh his sales career with his passion for sailing, Patrick has been with The Moorings Yacht Brokerage since 2013.
Administrative Support
Administrative Support Team - Office: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Below is a list of the additional services we offer and administer with our experienced in-house team. Please contact us for more information.
- Escrow Funds
- Title Search
- Local Surveyor Information and Contact Details
- Documentation Agent Referrals
- Creation of All Closing Documents, including:
- Closing Statements
- Coast Guard Bills of Sale
- Limited Power of Attorney
- Sales Tax Statements and Exemption Certificates
- USCG Document Deletions
Administrative Support – Office: Nice, France
Our experienced administrative support team in Nice is available to help with transactions in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Deana Nagy - Office: Clearwater (FL), USA
Deanna moved to Florida 3 1/2 years ago from Ohio so that she and her husband could be closer to the ocean where they enjoy fishing, boating and kayaking. She has worked in the automotive field since 2001 in multiple areas from service to finance as well as warranty claims. She also has multiple years of experience in customer service and office management and is excited to enter into the marine industry.