The polar regions are what we do. From our expert expedition guides to our impeccable crew to our diversely skilled office staff, the OEX team is all about giving you the utmost experience of the Arctic, Antarctica, and the sub-Antarctic. Seasoned passengers of our own epic voyages, we bring to the table not only a love of the exotic polar world but also a combined wealth of expertise unrivaled by any other polar tour operator. Join us on one of our adventurous voyages, and let us share with you all there is to see, do, and explore in Earth’s most remote frontiers.
Our staff
Expedition staff
- Eduardo Rubio
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Guatemalan
Eduardo is an astronomer with a passion for sharing nature with others. After studying physics, he got his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Amsterdam in 2010.
He followed his postdoctoral position by becoming a lecturer of physics and astronomy as well as an expedition guide. In 2018, he became a full-time Oceanwide guide in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Eduardo’s interests vary from astronomy to the history of exploration. During his voyages, he offers lectures about polar explorers, Antarctic research (particularly in astronomy), oceanography, and other topics.
He especially loves showing constellations to our guests while at sea, pointing out their names and lore. Eduardo always aims to raise enthusiasm for and awareness of science, highlighting the unique and fragile planet that supports us.
Born in Guatemala in 1978, Eduardo speaks Spanish, English, and German.
- Christian Engelke
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: German
Since his first vacation to Norway in 1996, Christian Engelke has suffered from “Scandinavia fever.” Since then he has been exploring Norway, Sweden, and Greenland by foot, skis, and kayak.
- Pippa Low
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: British
Pippa has worked as a marine guide and skipper for 10 years, primarily in Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and the polar regions.
- Ali Liddle
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: British
- Florence Kuyper
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Dutch
- Jan Belgers
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Dutch
- Claudio Ghiglione
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Italian
- Hans Verdaat
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Dutch
- Adam Turner
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: British
- Chris Long
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: New Zealander
- Marcel Paul
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Dutch
- Sara Jenner
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: British
- George Kennedy
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Australian
- Adam Burke
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: British
- Rinie van Meurs
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Dutch
- Philipp Schaudy
- Function: Expedition leader
- Nationality: Austrian
Activity staff
- Michael Green
- Function: Dive Team Leader and Advisor
- Nationality: British
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.
- Jonny Baird
- Function: Mountain Leader and Advisor
- Nationality: British
Since 2017, Jonny has worked regularly as a mountaineering guide and as Lead Mountain Guide on the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Henrik Enckell
- Function: Dive Team Leader & Advisor
- Nationality: Swedish
Henrik is an experienced dive leader, rebreather instructor trainer, and one of the first dive masters to bring tourists diving in Antarctica.
Captains
- Remmert Koster
- Function: Captain
- Nationality: Dutch
Remmert Koster was born in the Netherlands, and from a young age he was convinced he would become a captain.
After completing nautical college, he sailed general cargo ships for several years before switching to heavy-lift ships, transporting such loads as offshore platforms, Dutch Royal Navy vessels, submarines, parts for petrochemical plants, dredgers, cranes, and other such items.
Since 2016 he has captained passenger vessels, starting with two mega-yachts and later becoming a captain with Oceanwide Expeditions on its Polar Class 6 vessel, Hondius.
Remmert is married and lives with his wife and her daughter in an old farmhouse in north Holland. When he’s not busy renovating the house, he likes to cook, travel, and spend time with his family and friends.
- Joachim Schiel
- Function: Captain
- Nationality: German
Born near the German city of Cologne, Joachim Schiel grew up some distance from the coast. His first contact with vessels came from the yearly sailing trips he made with a youth group on the Baltic.
- Ernesto Barria
- Function: Captain
- Nationality: Chilean
Ernesto Barria was born in Santiago, Chile, into a family with strong bonds to the sea: His father, grandfather, and several uncles all share a love of the ocean.
- Arthur Yakovlev
- Function: Captain
- Nationality: Russian
Office
- Dorine van Boekhout
- Function: Reservations
- Nationality: Dutch
- Marina Joglar
- Function: Reservations, North-America
- Nationality: American
- Stefan Pruimboom
- Function: Staffing and Operations Advisor
- Nationality: Dutch
- Sytze Posthumus
- Function: Financial Controller
- Nationality: Dutch
- Toto Vermue
- Function: USA and Canada Sales Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Adam Turner
- Function: CXO - Head of Expedition Operations
- Nationality: British
- Teun van ‘t Verlaat
- Function: Technical Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Maria del Pilar Fernandez
- Function: International Sales Manager
- Nationality: Chilean
- Alexandra den Dikken
- Function: Senior Graphic Designer
- Nationality: Dutch
- Elza Back
- Function: Account Assistant
- Nationality: Dutch
- Femke Wolfert
- Function: Staffing Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Marissa Medrano
- Function: Accounting
- Nationality: American
- Michel van Gessel
- Function: Director
- Nationality: Dutch
- Helen de Jong
- Function: Sales Account Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Michael Frauendorfer
- Function: Hotel Operations Manager
- Nationality: Austrian
- Sasha Rachkova
- Function: Online Marketeer
- Nationality: Russian
- Ko de Korte
- Function: Consultant
- Nationality: Dutch
- John Yeh
- Function: Sales Representative China & South Asia & Oceania
- Nationality: Chinese
- Grace Vidal
- Function: Reservations, North-America
- Nationality: American
- Jornt de Meurichy
- Function: E-commerce officer
- Nationality: Dutch
- George Janes
- Function: Senior Copywriter
- Nationality: British
- Danique van Burken
- Function: Senior Marketing Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Marie Rose Porreca
- Function: Reservations, North-America
- Nationality: American
- Florian J. Piper
- Function: Director Sales | Arctic program
- Nationality: German
- Arjan Gunnink
- Function: Senior Polar Diving Advisor
- Nationality: Dutch
- Kees Matthes
- Function: Nautical Superintendent
- Nationality: Dutch
- Karin Toornstra
- Function: Reservations
- Nationality: Dutch
- Majanda Fens
- Function: Reservations Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Piet Vink
- Function: Managing Director
- Nationality: Dutch
- Sebastiaan Schijf
- Function: CFO
- Nationality: Dutch
- Loraine van Huizen
- Function: Online Marketeer
- Nationality: Dutch
- Bas Jumelet
- Function: Assistant Hotel Operations Manager
- Nationality: Dutch
- Nyrée Siereveld-Verstraete
- Function: Account Assistant
- Nationality: Dutch
- Rémi Bouysset
- Function: CEO
- Nationality: French
- Gabi Merten
- Function: Reservations for the German speaking market
- Nationality: German
- Franklin Braeckman
- Function: Antarctic Program Manager
- Nationality: Belgian