Crew on your Scottish Islands Cruise
We're lucky to have some great crewmembers who sail with us on a regular basis. You'll normally find that we sail with four crew - skipper, cook, deckhand and guide. On more specialised cruises (photography or art) we'll have a specilist leader from that particular field, but generally our 'guide' will be the extra eyes and ears that you will appreciate when there can be so much going on around you. There are no 'scheduled activities' as such, and every cruise is run at a pace that we feel suits the particular guests on board at the time - so there are no walks that you HAVE to go on, no talks or presentations that you HAVE to attend. It's all about relaxing and being able to absorb the amazing things that you can see and hear.
Chris Jackson will skipper most of the wildlife cruises in 2008 having previously owned the small cruise ship Chalice since 2002. Originally from Tyneside, he has always been close to the sea and marine activities and has been running wildlife cruises around the Scottish islands for the last five years. An experienced diver and keen photographer, Chris has travelled widely in the Hebrides and is passionate about being able to introduce guests on board to the wildlife and scenery - which he describes as 'world class' - in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.
After sailing as a guest in 2006 and trying to stow away, Helen joined us as crew for the 2007 season. Not satisfied with cleaning, washing up, pulling on ropes and smiling from April to September, we're really pleased to be able to say that she's coming back again in 2008! From deepest Kent, she's going to be a long way from home but is looking forward to another six months in the Hebrides. Welcome back on board Helen!
Jane has worked on cruises since 1996 and is known to many guests as 'Jane the Cake' for her capacity to turn out seemingly endless amounts of fresh bread and home-baked cakes from the galley. Definitely not a nocturnal creature, Jane is always first-up in the mornings, annoying the skipper by being far too wide awake at such an early hour. If you're on a diet - beware!
Karen first sailed with Chalice in 2003. Ex WREN and a Yorkshire Lass, she drove the skipper to declare that 'today is totally pants' when at St Kilda in August 2004 - but you'll have to ask Karen about that one. Karen displayed new talents in 2005 by stepping in at the last moment to cover as cook - she was brilliant! So now we sail with two cooks..... She's currently studying for a degree in Environmental Sciences and tried out some of her expanding knowledge on creepy-crawly things when she joined us to act as guide on some of our 2006 cruises.
Annette has to be the most multi-talented member of the crew. Not only does she turn out fantastic meals from our galley, but she's a keen photographer, artist and silversmith. Living just outside of Glasgow, Annette loves to spend time in the Hebrides and is familiar with the surroundings and wildlife. She is also quite an authority on St Kilda, and has cooked for the National Trust work parties who stay there during the summer months.
European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Chris Gomersall is no stranger to the islands, first sailing with us to St Kilda in 2002 where he spent a very dark, wet night on the top of a cliff in an attempt to photograph Leach's petrel. After fourteen years as staff photographer with the RSPB, Chris embarked on a freelance career and specialises in birds, nature, wildlife and the environment. With an educational background in zoology and plant biology, and experience in nature reserve wardening and field research, Chris endeavours to take photographs that will be effective in advancing the cause of nature conservation. His style is very much concerned with photographing wildlife subjects at home in their natural habitat, with an emphasis on ambient light and sensitive composition. You can find out more about Chris at www.chrisgomersall.co.uk
Bruce Pearson has worked as an artist foralmost 30 years. He has travelled widely in search of subjects from the Arctic and Antarctica, to Africa, much of Europe, and the Americas. However, much of his time is spent in the UK - either working locally out in the field, or else in Scotland, particularly the Western Isles. In 2005, he won the most valuable annual art award in the UK for a work which he painted on a trip to St Kilda on board Chalice. You can find out more about Bruce and his work at www.brucepearson.net
John Anderson is no stranger to the sea, having circumnavigated the world with his wife in their 27' yacht Kyon. They now live just north of Oban and spend as much time as they can sailing around the Western Isles. An accomplished sailor, photographer and regular contributor to national sailing publications, we're really pleased that he manages to find time to join us. Although he will probably deny it, John's knowledge of the sea, the Hebrides and it's wildlife is best described as 'vast'. He is the ideal companion for a cruise through an area that has been officially billed as 'The Last Natural Wilderness in Europe'.
Phil Johnson works as a wildlife guide and environmental consultant for the oil industry. He has a broad knowledge of the environment and conservation issues but his first passion is for wildlife, and specifically, bottlenose dolphins. After his studies at Stirling University, which also included a spell at Canada's University of Guelph, he moved into conservation work with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) on the Isle of Mull where he spent three years coordinating a conservation project focused on the bottlenose dolphins of West Scotland. You can find out more about Phil and his work at www.marineteam.com
Hugh Barton travels to Northwest Scotland and the Western Isles at everyopportunity, to take in the scenery and wildlife. A keen walker and naturalist, Hugh has a passion for the Hebridean islands, and has explored and become familiar with many of them. A keen photographer, Hugh is often found taking pictures from unusual locations resulting in images that have been successful in photographic competitions and exhibitions. Hugh has been a member and leader on a number of National Trust for Scotland work parties to St Kilda He is also a Board Member of the St Kilda Club. It is Hugh's ambition to land and explore as many of the smaller islands as possible - perhaps following in the footsteps of Hamish Haswell-Smith the author of 'The Scottish Islands - a Comprehensive Guide to Every Scottish Island', a project that will take Hugh many years to complete.
Penny Hawdon has worked as a wildlife guide and sailing instructor on the west coast of Scotland for six years. She has also lead research expeditions throughout the Hebrides, looking at cetacean abundance and distribution. A keen photographer with an interest in Hebridean culture, Penny also has an ongoing interest in marine conservation and holds a Masters degree in Marine Resource Development and Protection.
Erika Hearn is a professional wildlife guide and joined us in 2007 'on loan' from her position as Head Wildlife Guide with Tobermory-based Sealife Surveys. Erikai has a joint Honours Degree in Marine Biology and Zoology and has worked as a veterinary nurse in Suffolk, for the RSPCA at the Norfolk Wildlife Hospital nursing seal pups, and with the WDCS working with the bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth. She has also guided people underwater too, teaching coral identification in the waters around Malaysian Borneo. Despite all of this, Erika still credits her mum for inspiring her interest in birds, flowers and cetaceans!
Mark Newell is a veteran of Chalice adventures, first sailing on board when he worked as a wildlife guide for holiday company Speyside Wildlife. Although Mark has now moved on to further his career as a professional ornithologist, spending most of the summer months on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, we're delighted that he still manages to join us on board to share his knowledge, enthusiasm and humour with us. Mark will be joining us again in 2008 for trip number 14!