ABOUT XONE | Xone Superyacht Academy

Xone Superyacht Academy aims to acquire highest, innovative and creative standards of training in Yachting Industry. In order to achieve this targeted goal, we work with distinctive instructors who have academical background, vast experience on yachting and teaching qualifications / certifications from internationally recognized institutions.

Keeping the instructors updated with newest technologies applied in the maritime field is very important. So we encourage them to participate courses and seminars as much as possible and conduct workshops to improve contemporary and more productive teaching technics.

As well as teaching the classic navigation technics, in order to prepare the students to high-end technologies used on yachts; we invest a large part of our income in state-of-art simulators, brand new equipments on our training yachts and even renew the training yachts every couple of year.

INSTRUCTOR TRAINERS

Levent Baktir

A Master Mariner Unlimited,having a brilliant experience both in professional Merchant and Superyacht Industry. He continued his career as Fleet Superintendent, as Project Manager on various Superyacht Refit projects and later on as Managing Director of Palmarina Bodrum. He is also founder of Xone Superyacht Group.

Belek Ozturkcan

A Master Mariner Unlimited, born in Istanbul, graduated from Istanbul Technical University Maritime Faculty in 1991. Apart from working on merchant ships and yachts, he built another extraordinary career underwater, as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Interested in endurance sports, joined Xone family in 2015 as IYT WW Instructor Trainer.

PROFESSIONAL COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Ümit Yaşar Sürücü

Graduated from ITU Maritime Transportation and Management Engineer on 1990, he commenced service at several types of merchant vessels in all waters like Chemical Tankers / Oil Tankers / Container Vessel / Bulk Carrier/ Cargo Vessel as well. Later on, he took position on large yachts as Captain and served in Yachting industry. He is holding STCW II/2 Master degree since 1998. Performed several duties as manager, and head of department on maritime Industry as Superintendent, GM, Senior Instructor as well. Umit is working in XSY since 2011.

Arif Ors

A Master Mariner Unlimited, graduated from Kocaeli University. He has experience on both cargo ships and yachts over 15 years. Working with us as a Professional Instructor since 2013 and lecturing all vocational lessons including seamanship, Basic and Advanced STCW, ISPS , GMDSS ( GOC & ROC). He has a special interest in web tools, and developing learning applications and environment.

Mert Toraman

Mert studied International Relations and MBA at İstanbul Bilgi University and worked in various industries of the corporate environment. Intrigued by the seas as a diver and sailor for long years, he left corporate life and has been living as a sailing instructor and skipper since 2009. He is also doing boat deliveries.

Rudy Colson

Former pilot of fixed and rotary wing aircrafts. He holds university degrees of Physics (Phd) and Computer Engineering and accreditation for teaching at the academic level. Dealt for many years with R&D and Executive Management operations for the hi-tech industry in Europe, Middle East and Asia. His scientific background is a welcome asset for his activities as instructor of Master of Yachts programs.

Murat Yilmaz

A former Naval Officer, resigned from the Navy and started to study International Relations in Istanbul University. He had made more than 40.000 nm of sailing, including Atlantic crossings. Participated and won many cups in numerous sailing races. He’s addicted to cinema, participated film festivals and competitions as a jury member. Joined Xone family in 2015.

Soraya Meliani

Joined the Xone family in 2017, after spending 17 years at sea as a chief stewardess as well as a chef onboard Superyachts. She has got Professional Hotelerie School Certification for hotel and restaurant management in France. She is now sharing her vast knowledge and experience with younger generations as a Superyacht Hospitality Instructor.

Yeliz Tas

Graduated from Antalya Hotel Management and Tourism Vocational School. She has many years of experience at 5 star hotels and Cruise Liner Companies. After having her Le Cordon Bleu Culinary diploma, she extended her career into yachting industry; worked as a Chief Stewardess/Cook on Superyachts for 10 years. Joined Xone family as an Superyacht Hospitality Instructor.

RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTORS

Gokhan Bayramoglu

Former World Champion-Hobby 16 Sportive Class, Gokhan from a young age worked as sailing and windsurfing instructor both in France and Turkey. In spite of he is graduated from Yildiz Technical University, for several years he managed instructor and training programmes, competed in sailing regattas. An active member of the Xone Racing Team as well.

Bulent Azazi

Bulent, born and raised along the coast of Mediterranean, and developed a love for the sea. Soon after finishing his degree in Fish Farm Engineering at Ankara University, moved to Marmaris and started his yachting carrier in 2001. Climbing the steps rapidly, became a Yacht Master in 2005 and worked on a variety of private and charter yachts, both motor and sail. Joined Xone family in 2018.

Selim Akturk

A true sea-lover and Unlimited Yacht Master STCW A-II/2, born and raised in a small coastal town at Black Sea and childhood revolved the water all the time. In spite of he holds a Bachelor degree in Automotive, he has lived and worked as a Yacht Master in many places around the World, until he settled down Mediterranean coasts of Turkey and became an IYT WW Instructor. He likes all kind of water sports and fluent in English and Russian.

Selcuk Yilmaz

Although started his career with Marine Engineer training in 1992, soon after he changed his path to Deck Department. Graduated from Istanbul University Underwater Technology Faculty in 2004. Spent many years on both Power and Sail Yachts as Master and entitled as Unlimited Yacht Master STCW A-II/2 in 2017. Joined Xone family in 2019 as an instructor. He is fond of water sports, especially scuba diving.

Marie Louise Saghbini

Marie-Louise has been working in the Gulf and the United Arab Emirates for over 20 years. She has vast experience in aviation, maritime and a lot more. She also worked with Abu Dhabi Coast Guards and has produced the first public airshows in the Emirates for 10 years. She is in love with the sea and joined Xone family in 2018 as instructor and regional director for Lebanon.

Omer Balkan

Ömer, born in 1981 and graduated from Kocaeli University Maritime Academy in 2001.He holds an Unlimited Yacht Master STCW 95 A-II/2 CoC and has 17 years experience in Professional Yachting all around the Mediterranean. Speaks English and French fluently. Apart from being a sea-lover, he enjoys snow boarding.

Ersoy Ayvaz

He graduated from Uludağ University’s physical education and sport department in 1999. Between 2014- 2016 he worked as a instructor and a director in a management, which is a RYA school constituted in Istanbul. He is continuing to his lessons in Turkish Sailing Federation as a sailboat yachting instructor until 2014. He worked as a instructor and captain between Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. He work as a powerboat and sailing instuctor with the Fountain Pajor Lavezzi 40 brand and model sailing catamaran, which he owns.

OFFICE

Burak Tarakci

A Master Mariner Unlimited, earned huge experience on Cargo ships. He also has remarkable experience on shore based Ship Management & Operations as DPA and Surveyor on technical inspections and surveys, ISM/ISPS/MLC Audits. Additionally he is a talented sailor, likes sailing with his own single mast sloop yacht.

Melike Incige Yener

Graduated from Abant Izzet Baysal University in 2005. Between 2005-2013 worked in Fenerbahce Sports Club as basketball coach. Travelled all around the World with her Master Mariner spouse. She is fond of sailing and participates races with Xone Racing Team.

Tuna Tarakci

Graduated from faculty of Aquaculture and Business Administration in Istanbul. She has a bright career in Banking Business/Consumer Banking as Customer Relation Manager. Prior to start her banking and finance career, she worked in import-export companies in charge of sales and accounting. Joined Xone family in 2018.

Zerrin Soylugil

Born in Izmir. Worked in tourism and yachting industry as Manager for more than 20 years, both in Turkey and Canada. After returning back to homeland, worked in Yacht Chartering Companies and later joined Xone family as Training Coordinator.

Ilker Yener

A Master Mariner Unlimited, and has many years of experience as Master on Cargo ships and yachts. He also worked in various yacht refit projects as Project Manager and in shipping companies as Marine Superintendent, Crewing Manager and Operation Manager.

Dila Baktiroglu

Worked in Development Platform Evangelism, Microsoft, Ozyegin University Entrepreneurial Center and Borda Technology in Istanbul Technical University. She holds her degree from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and Brian Lamb School of Communications. Joined Xone Family in 2019.