Our staff

Pippa has worked as a marine guide and skipper for 10 years, primarily in Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and the polar regions.

A marine scientist specialising in marine mammal research and conservation, she splits her time between the hemispheres and loves showing the public the marine world and all it has to offer.

Growing up on the coast of the incredible Moray Firth sparked in Pippa a love for the marine world and its inhabitants. She spent every spare minute in, on, or under the water, and her professional life reflected this love from a young age. She became an instructor in various marine disciplines, studying marine biology at universities in Scotland and Australia.

Upon completion of her degree, Pippa worked as a marine mammal observer, scientific diver, and research assistant on various research projects. She has worked in photo ID, migration, distribution, and behavioural studies on a range of marine mammals, developing a keen interest in marine mammal conservation through outreach and research.

After working in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica as a research assistant, she fell in love with Antarctica. Pippa now works as a full-time guide and assistant expedition leader in the Arctic and Antarctica. Between seasons, she still finds time to work on research projects.

Michael began diving in 1980, training with the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Harbour.

After leaving the Navy, he continued to dive mainly around the UK, diving wrecks and always looking for a new story.

He is qualified as a dive instructor with BSAC and PADI and is certified to operate Drager Dolphin and Buddy Inspiration rebreathers.

Michael has worked for Oceanwide Expeditions for five years and enjoys giving divers a safe and exploratory experience in the polar regions.

Michael’s biggest tip for polar divers is to slow down, look around, and enjoy the environment.

He looks forward to enjoying it with you.

Evgeny Levakov was born in a small village not far from Nerekhta, an ancient Russian town in the Kostroma region. The closest water to his village was a 15,000 square-meter pond.

His family had no relationship with the sea, but when his third grade teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, Evgeny’s answer was clear: “A sailor.”

The teacher replied that this profession did not exist in their area, but young Evgeny was unconvinced. After his mandatory time in the army, he enrolled in Murmansk’s Highest Engineering Marine School to start his naval career.

Evgeny went to sea after graduating, starting in 1984 as third officer on a fleet of fishing vessels in the city of Murmansk. During that time he sailed the waters of Antarctica, South Georgia, the Southern Orkneys, and Elephant Island.

From 1994 to 2000 he worked as chief officer on m/v Professor Molchanov for expedition cruise companies like Quark, Aurora, and Oceanwide. He was promoted to captain soon after.

In the fall of 2010, Evgeny started on m/v Plancius. His main navigational areas are the Arctic and Antarctica, including the Ross Sea and Dumont d’Urville Sea. He’s also sailed the islands of Papua New Guinea and the Amazon River between Belem and Iquitos.

Evgeny has been married since 1978 and considers this the best decision he’s ever made. He has two sons and is the proud grandfather of four grandchildren.