Captain Roberto Cuomo on REBECA.

Since learning to sail as a youth, racing in the water off the historical Ligurian port of La Spezia, Captain Roberto has made a career of his passion.

Having sailed in some of the world's most famous cruising destinations, Captain Roberto has a new position, as skipper of the all new Benetti Oasis 40m, REBECA

How did your love of sailing begin?

My passion for sailing started when I was a teenager, racing yachts in local regattas, in La Spezia. After graduating I made up my mind to start working in this sector and started my career as a deckhand on a 15m sailing yacht.

Afterwards I had the chance to sail in the Med and then to make my first transatlantic crossing from Genoa to Brazil and the Caribbean. It was a surprisingly radical experience in the days before all the technology we take for granted today: electronic charts, AIS, weather files, GPS or satphone calls, leaving my poor parents without any news from me. Following this I gained years and years of experience on yachts of various sizes, sailing and motor yachts, in the French and Italian Rivieras, Caribbean and along the Eastern Coast of USA.

During these trips I made a lot of beautiful memories, of the Turkish coastal landscapes, Rhode Island in New England, the freedom of the sailing lifestyle and the stunning seas in the Bahamas. In gaining all that experience, I faced new challenges and developed my skills and today I am the proud new captain of the first Benetti Oasis 40m yacht, REBECA.

What is the most special feature of REBECA?

The beach terrace is unique, I can’t think of another yacht with an entirely open beach terrace area wider than the yacht. When you open the fold-out sides it’s more than 11m wide, which is something you might expect to see on a 60m yacht. Benetti has never done anything like this before. The infinity pool is also a very special feature too and the expansive windows really let the outside in, making a great connection with the ocean.

The bridge area is unique too - a wheelhouse with no wheel! It’s more like a space shuttle. We have five monitors, two are touch screen and you control absolutely everything from there.

How do you see your role as captain?

Running a yacht as a captain has many responsibilities, both technical and managerial. My main role is to satisfy any request by the owner, combining the safety of guests, yacht and crew with the pleasure of the cruise. Day to day that consists of checking the weather forecasts, planning the itinerary, booking the marinas and ensuring the smooth running of life and board and ashore.

Do you have a favourite cruising destination?

My favourite destinations are mainly in the Med, which is very close to my cultural background, education and interests. There is such variety. Every country with a Mediterranean coast has distinctive features but we can say there is a common line, in addition to the sea, that joins these places: nature, food and people. What I enjoy most is exploring new destinations or rediscovering places I have already been such as Sicily or Crete, two islands dear to my heart.

Moreover the Med has a centuries old tradition of seamanship, that legacy is one of my greatest passions. I have found a similar tradition and a familiar atmosphere when I went to New England, especially in the New England sailing hub of Newport, Rhode Island, where every activity and even the life of people is centered on it.

Interview: November 2020