Our staff

Oceanwide staff

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.

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.

  • Chris Long
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: New Zealander

Chris grew up as a part of New Zealand’s remotest family two long days hike from the nearest road at a place called Gorge River.

  • Ali Liddle
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: British

Ali Liddle grew up in the north of England where, after leaving school, she qualified as a primary school teacher.

Read an interview here >
  • Jan Belgers
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • George Kennedy
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Florence Kuyper
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Claudio Ghiglione
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Sara Jenner
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: British
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  • Adam Burke
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: British
  • Adam Turner
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: British
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  • Marcel Paul
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Rinie van Meurs
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Hans Verdaat
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Pippa Low
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: British
  • Philipp Schaudy
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: Austrian
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  • Christian Engelke
  • Function: Expedition leader
  • Nationality: German

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.

  • 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.

  • Arthur Yakovlev
  • Function: Captain
  • Nationality: Russian

Arthur Yakovlev was born in Petrozavodsk, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Karelia, in northwestern Russia.

  • 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.

  • Evgeny Levakov
  • Function: Captain
  • Nationality: Russian
Read more >
  • Ernesto Barria
  • Function: Captain
  • Nationality: Chilean
Read more >

Office

Head Office:
Fax: +31 (0)118 410 417
USA & Canada reservations:
Fax: +1 (0)281 749 8220
  • Michel van Gessel
  • Function: Director
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Jornt de Meurichy
  • Function: E-commerce officer
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Helen de Jong
  • Function: Sales Account Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Marina Joglar
  • Function: Reservations, North-America
  • Nationality: American
  • Michael Frauendorfer
  • Function: Hotel Operations Manager
  • Nationality: Austrian
  • Teun van ‘t Verlaat
  • Function: Technical Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Grace Vidal
  • Function: Reservations, North-America
  • Nationality: American
  • Femke Wolfert
  • Function: Staffing Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Bas Jumelet
  • Function: Assistant Hotel Operations Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Franklin Braeckman
  • Function: Antarctic Program Manager
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Piet Vink
  • Function: Managing Director
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Toto Vermue
  • Function: USA and Canada Sales Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
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  • Dorine van Boekhout
  • Function: Reservations
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Nyrée Siereveld-Verstraete
  • Function: Account Assistant
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Sytze Posthumus
  • Function: Financial Controller
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • George Janes
  • Function: Senior Copywriter
  • Nationality: British
  • John Yeh
  • Function: Sales Representative China & South Asia & Oceania
  • Nationality: Chinese
  • Gabi Merten
  • Function: Reservations for the German speaking market
  • Nationality: German
  • Loraine van Huizen
  • Function: Online Marketeer
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Ko de Korte
  • Function: Consultant
  • Nationality: Dutch
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  • Florian J. Piper
  • Function: Director Sales | Arctic program
  • Nationality: German
  • Kees Matthes
  • Function: Nautical Superintendent
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Sebastiaan Schijf
  • Function: CFO
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Maria del Pilar Fernandez
  • Function: International Sales Manager
  • Nationality: Chilean
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  • Andreas Diesing
  • Function: Key Account Manager for the German speaking countries
  • Nationality: German
  • Karin Toornstra
  • Function: Reservations
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Marie Rose Porreca
  • Function: Reservations, North-America
  • Nationality: American
  • Marissa Medrano
  • Function: Accounting
  • Nationality: American
  • Adam Turner
  • Function: CXO - Head of Expedition Operations
  • Nationality: British
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  • Majanda Fens
  • Function: Reservations Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Danique van Burken
  • Function: Senior Marketing Manager
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Alexandra den Dikken
  • Function: Senior Graphic Designer
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Stefan Pruimboom
  • Function: Staffing and Operations Advisor
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Sasha Rachkova
  • Function: Online Marketeer
  • Nationality: Russian
  • Elza Back
  • Function: Account Assistant
  • Nationality: Dutch
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