Ross Mcauliffe — First Officer (English)
Ross was born in Dublin, Ireland, but spent most of his life in Cork Harbour and summer holidaying on the coast of West Cork. He comes from a family of seafarers and dabbled in boats and yachts for all of his youth, particularly in his Grandfather’s boat. Ross studied Nautical Science and obtained his Officer of the Watch licence. He then spent five years working for various cruise lines, most recently with Princess Cruises as third officer. Ross joined the Irish Coastguard as a Radio Watch Officer in June 2021 decided it was too early to hang up his sea boots so transitioned to yachting joining Arctic. Ross’s role is to act as the captain’s deputy and to ensure that the ship’s deck runs smoothly and safely. He ensures that the ship is kept looking its best and the service and experience for the guests is the highest standard at all times.
Leonardo Griffiths — Second Officer (Italian/Scottish)
Leonardo grew up in Tuscany, Italy, where he spent his childhood playing around in small boats and dinghies. It did not take him long to realise that he wanted to make a career out of ships and the sea. After finishing his studies, he left for the UK to obtain his commercial maritime tickets. He spent seven successful years working up the ranks on large cruise ships all over the globe.
Leonardo recently decided to return to the yachting industry to follow his father’s footsteps who sailed as Captain for many years. Arctic is now his new floating home, and he is excited to deliver exciting and memorable experiences to all those who sail on her. When not on the water, he enjoys motorcycle trips around Europe and rock climbing with his friends.
Alex Freeman — Deckhand (New Zealand)
Alex, the younger brother of Mitch is another crew member born and raised in New Zealand. After finishing school, he went on to university to further his education, before spending time working in more traditional office environments. Looking for something more hands on, Alex made the switch into yachting and is now part of the deck team onboard Arctic. He brings a strong work ethic, a calm presence, and a willingness to learn — always ready to roll up his sleeves and get involved wherever needed on deck. Outside of work, Alex is an avid sportsman who enjoys staying active. In his downtime, you’ll likely find him fishing or at the nearest golf course working on his craft.
Benjamin Smallbone — Deckhand (New Zealand)
Benjamin, originally from Tauranga, New Zealand, has always had a deep love for the
outdoors. Whether he's out surfing, lacing up his boots for a weekend of hiking and camping, or packing his snowboard for a trip to the mountains, he’s constantly seeking adventure and ways to stay active. He spent several years working in the building industry, gaining valuable hands-on experience while also taking on a variety of seasonal outdoor jobs. During this time, he began hearing stories from friends involved in the yachting world. Intrigued by the lifestyle and inspired by the idea of combining physical work with global exploration, Ben decided to make the leap into yachting.
Karl Patchett — Engineer (English)
Karl grew up on the family farm in a small village in south Lincolnshire. It was working on the farm that he developed an interest in agricultural machinery, going on to get an apprenticeship and becoming and agricultural engineer. The interest in being at sea came from spending time sailing on a friend’s yacht. In 2020 he finally took the plunge and started his yachting career working on various yachts in engineering positions before joining Arctic.
Upul Gamaralalage — Engineer (Sri Lankan)
Upul grew up in a beautiful small village inland in Sri Lanka. A quiet environment nourished by fertile fields, lush greenery and cool streams. He was educated at a village school. Upul is an excellent woodworker and much of the timber you see around Arctic has been either built or refurbished by him.
Upul joined M/Y Arctic P in 1999 and has cruised all around the world including Alaska & Antarctica. He is proud to say he has spent half of his life on M/Y Arctic P. Upul loves to watch and play cricket and enjoys photography.
Chris Dickie — Chief engineer (English)
Chris grew up on a farm outside of Edinburgh before moving into the city at the age of fifteen. He initially had a passion for the study of philosophy which he carried through to university while still living in Scotland. His other twin interest was cricket, a sport at which he considered pursuing at the professional level.
In the end, after travelling throughout South America upon graduating university, he decided to study mechanical engineering in the south of England. While the Arctic P is his first yacht, he has spent time working onboard container ships, ferries, oil rigs, military vessels, and several other classifications of ship.
Bolo Szutkowski — Engineer (Polish)
Bolo grew up in Gdansk on the coast of the Baltic Sea, a beautiful city with a thousand-year history. In his youth, he was interested in and participated in ice hockey, amateur boxing, and loved reading books on maritime topics, and it was these books that led him to join the maritime academy. After graduating from this school, his career at sea included several years in the merchant fleet and a decade in offshore on diving support, multipurpose and semi-sub vessels - and now he is a happy member of the Arctic crew. His current hobbies are motorcycles and family, and above all watching his son’s hockey matches.
Glen Dias — Engineer (Indian)
Glen, the eldest of four brothers, was born and brought up in Vasai, a small town near Mumbai. Glen completed his education from Carmelite Convent School, Vasai.
During his school days, Glen developed a technical mind and because of this, he decided to pursue further education for mechanical fitting at Joseph Cardijn Technical Institute, Mumbai. In 2004, he boarded his first ship in Merchant Navy and then it was no looking back. Glen joined ARCTIC P in 2008 and has been working happily with his Arctic family and two brothers ever since!
Glen is a generous and honest person who enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. He is also a keen motorcycle rider who owns several bikes.
Sachin Pereira — Engineer (Indian)
Sachin was born and raised just north of Mumbai where he grew up enjoying the benefits of a fairly close proximity to the bustling city as well as the more laid back life-style of his home town.
He has always had an interest in anything of a mechanical nature and went straight to college to complete a 3 year mechanical fitter’s diploma course. From then onwards he has enjoyed working in his chosen profession both ashore and at sea; the latter providing him the satisfaction of fulfilling his passion for exploring the world.
Ruwan De Silva — Steward (Sri Lankan)
Ruwan comes from a small town in the central province of Sri Lanka called Kandy. After completing high school he ventured into the world of Catering and Hospitality at the breathtaking Hunnas Falls hotel where the sacred Temple of the Tooth is. He spent several years here learning his trade before moving on to a career in fine dining, working in some of the finest award winning restaurants in Colombo. He first went to sea in 2007 where he was able to utilise his already refined skills to enhance the enjoyment of the many guests he has looked after.
Ruwan has travelled extensively and takes every opportunity to explore new places and cultures. Ruwan is passionate for the ocean and keeps active with mountain hiking, bird watching and classic car restoration and rallies.
Frank Aloysius — Steward (Sri Lankan)
Frank was raised in the scenic town of Nawalapitiya, nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands—famed for its lush tea plantations, mountain views, and cool climate. He attended Anuruddha National College, where he excelled both academically and in athletics, earning numerous school and national recognitions.
He later pursued his passion for hospitality at Asia Lanka Vocational and International Training Centre, further enhancing his skills with certifications in hotel housekeeping, food and beverage service, and barista and bartender training. After joining the Hilton Hotel in Colombo, Frank spent eight successful years delivering five-star service and was recognized multiple times for excellence in guest service and team contributions.
In 2007, Frank transitioned into the yachting industry, joining the private luxury yacht Arctic. Over the past 17+ years, he has brought his wealth of hospitality experience onboard—serving guests with dedication in stewarding, fine dining, bartending, housekeeping, and galley assistance. He is known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and warm, guest- focused service.
Recently, Frank expanded his qualifications to include elderly and patient care, completing multiple caregiver certifications and first aid training, making him a valuable asset for yachts that require support for elderly or high-care guests. When not at sea, Frank enjoys restoring vintage cars and spending quality time with his Family.
Ivan Antonic — Engineer (Croatian)
Ivan is a highly skilled Second Engineer originally from Rijeka, Croatia where he graduated at Marine engineering university. With years of experience in the yachting industry, as well as on commercial vessels, Ivan is an expert at maintaining the yacht’s mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems. When Ivan is on rotation, he loves to return home to Rijeka, Croatia, to spend time with his family and friends on hiking trips. He also likes long distance swimming, skiing, cycling and gym training.
James O'rourke — Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) (Irish)
ETO James hails from Ireland and has been in the yachting industry for the last 8 years. Before finding his love for the sea, he was a schoolteacher and taught students from 5 to 55 years old! Once he caught the yachting bug though, there was no going back. His favourite cruising location to date has been the fjords in Norway. In his free time, James likes being outdoors, exploring nature, doing water sports and adventuring in his vintage Land Rover Defender. He lives in Galway, one of Europe’s most charming city which is on the Wild Atlantic Way. Which is the longest coastal drive in Europe and stretches from the North to the South of Ireland. The beach is a 5 minute walk from his house and his labradoodle Zeus makes a great stand up paddle board partner! He is a foodie who loves to experience new cuisines. His positive attitude means that no
problem is unsolvable and there is always time for a smile!
Rino Lorenzo — Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) (Filipino)
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Rino Enjoys hosting and entertaining foreign colleagues and friends visiting the Philippines from all over the world.He is currently the ETO onboard Arctic and is happy to help any guests or crew with any of their AVIT needs. Rino holds a certificate for Electronics Engineer designation. During Rino’s Seafaring career, he has previously served as an IT Communication Officer for Norwegian Cruise Lines and also as an Electro Technical Officer on many different types of commercial vessels. He has also worked as a Field Engineer in a land-based electricity distribution company. Rino’s happy times are when he is
at home with his wife and five children.
Paul Crierie — Captain (British / American)
Paul originates from Everton, England. He spent his teenage years on the West Coast of America. Snowboarding, camping and hiking in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest or riding motor bikes and quad bikes in the deserts of California, he has always been at his happiest exploring the outdoors.
Paul’s interest in life at sea began when his dad worked in the yachting industry. Paul began his nautical career in 1998 at a marine mechanic’s school in Florida. After getting hands-on experience at several boat building companies in Seattle he jumped on his motorbike and rode to Florida to start working on yachts.
He learned and honed his craft working on motor yachts that took him to all the continents of the world. Having experienced the cold vast areas of the Arctic & Antarctic Polar regions to the warm and sunny islands of the Caribbean and Pacific. Paul has truly travelled the world and had some fantastic life changing experiences. Including meeting his wife who he now lives with in Western Australia with their two young children.
Paul is a knowledgeable, affable seafarer who with his hard working, friendly crew will make your time onboard MY Arctic a wonderful and memorable experience
Mitchell Freeman — Deckhand (New Zealand)
Mitch, another one of our antipodean crew members was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand.
After finishing school, Mitch started working on construction sites all over New Zealand and quickly learned many aspects of the construction industry. This experience has transferred over to working on Arctic very well for Mitch because he is rarely seen without a tool in his hand on deck.
During the summer you can find Mitch surfing one of the many beaches on the North Island and During the Winter, you will find him snowboarding in the mountains of the South Island. Mitch is always good for a chat and conversation and his polite and friendly demeaner will enhance your experience when enjoying any of Arctic’s water sports activities.
Brendan Barnett — Chief steward/ess (Australian)
Brendan was born on Australia’s small southern island of Tasmania.
After qualifying in Hotel Management, he worked in some of Tasmania’s finest and most awarded restaurants. Then ultimately a love of the sea and travelling became somewhat an obsession and so yachting came into his life, combining the very best of both worlds.
Passions include all things wine – with researching and finding that perfect bottle to pair with your favorite meal on top of his list. As well as mixing up your favorite cocktail or finding some new and exciting inspirations from the local area.
When not at work he enjoys: running, yoga, sailing and hiking.
Janaka Gamaralalage — Engineer (Sri Lankan)
Janaka, Brother of Upul is from Sri Lanka and grew up in a quiet town called Kurunegala which is NE of the hustle and bustle of Colombo. During his younger years he and his siblings would help his father harvest the family owned rice paddy with the many professional farmers in the area. Upon completion of school he joined the carpentry academy in the big city and then gained on the job training prior to joining the Arctic P. Janaka is an exceptional master of craftsmanship within his trade and is able to fix most wooden problems. His creative mind is able to design anything from even a piece of scrap wood.
Joseph (John) Britto — Engineer (Indian)
John grew up in the south of India; an area that possesses a long and rich culture. He has a love of all things mechanical and enjoys swimming at the beach, cricket, as well as continuing his engineering passion by working around the house, on his car and motorbikes.
Partly inspired by his older brother, who was enjoying a career working offshore, John started with a 3 years diploma course in electrical and electronics before joining the Merchant Navy in 2001. This involved a wide variety of different ships including tankers and container vessels before he moved his focus to the yachting world in 2008 and has never looked back since.
Sachin Kadolkar — Engineer (Indian)
Sachin was Born and raised in GOA, he serves as an electrician on-board, and is a part of the solid engine team.
GOA is the smallest and the most beautiful state of India, well-known worldwide for it's whispering coconut trees, cool beaches and traditional food.
His craze and curiosity towards how different machines work, started at the age of 10, when he opened up a television set just to find out how we get pictures on the screen, where he received his first electrical shock followed by thrashing from his parents.
Having finished his engineering schooling in electrics and electronics, he took up his first job at the age of 18.
He has 25 years’ experience in his particular field and prides himself on his troubleshooting and maintenance skills of all electrical and electronic equipment and ensuring all equipment is functioning correctly.
Philipp Leithold — Chief steward/ess (German)
Philipp was born in East Germany, as a young boy he wanted to be a farmer and breed horses. In his teenage years though, he decided the hospitality industry is where he saw himself starting a career. After working for eight years for luxury 5 star hotels in Germany and London, he decided to start a new career in the yachting industry. He has worked for several yacht owners, before starting his new journey as a Chief Steward with the Arctic family. Philipp is on board to make you feel like you are in your home away from home by exceeding any guest’s expectations. Our whole interior team will truly make your stay on Arctic an unforgettable experience. While Philipp is away from his Arctic family, he spends every free minute with his wife and young son at home in Barcelona, Spain.
Norman Puschmann — Captain (German)
Born land locked in the East of Germany, Norman was always lured to water. At the tender age of 16 the sea called and he started his apprenticeship on tug boats in the North & Baltic Seas. It did not take long to realize that he has found his career and went straight to study for his OOW and Masters License. Fueled with the desire for adventure, Norman took on a new challenge and entered the yachting industry. Being first on a full Charter Yacht for 3 years his next step was Arctic. After over 7 years Arctic turned into his home away from home and the crew turned to family. Together with the captain and the deck team, Norman will make sure the guests have the safest and most enjoyable time on, in and around the water.
Outside of sea life, Norman enjoys going on adventures together with his wife and daughter in their old VW kombi van. Norman is also partial owner of a local, organic coffee and ice cream shop where he works part time when at home. The crew would say he is the green soul on board having a conscious eye on the environment.
Hugo Aspden — First Officer (English)
Having grown up on the water from a young age with a family run sailing school, Hugo has always been destined to make a life for himself at Sea. He started his on-water career as a multidisciplined water sports instructor on the Isle of Wight in the UK and after a couple of years teaching, he was able to secure his place on a yachting cadetship to take him to his Oicer of the Watch qualification. Over the next 12 years he progressed through the ranks on a variety of superyachts ranging from 50m – 102m. Having completed his Master 3000 qualification earlier this year he now looks forward to many more years at sea. After so many years going back and forth to the Isle of Wight for his studies, it was only a matter of time before he placed roots down. Hugo and his wife purchased their first house together there in 2023 and they are now making the most of living and working by the sea.
Kaz Vickery — Dive Instructor (Australian)
Growing up in the coastal town of Fremantle, on the West coast of Australia, Kaz developed a strong interest in the ocean early on. Initially, working on dive/sail charters in the Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier reef in 2000, then gaining experience travelling and working around the world, diving, he joined the yachting industry in the Caribbean in 2007. An experienced ‘skipper’ with confidence in vessel handling and a love for the water, above and below, Kaz has a passion for the marine and subaquatic environment, education and exploration.
With a keen knowledge and understanding of the water, 20 years’ experience in dive instruction and a focus on fun and safety, he has the ability to cater for the seasoned adventurer or simply, to help you share the underwater world with him, experiencing something new.
Krzysztof Kolo — Chief engineer (Polish)
Krzysztof, better known as Kris onboard was born and raised in Gdynia, Poland. A breath of salty breeze, an infinite sea horizon, the sounds of ship's sirens, majestic sailing ships entering the port of Gdynia helped him choose Gdynia Maritime University. Upon completing full time studies in the field of Mechanical Engineering, he was awarded his Masters of engineering degree and started polishing his technical knowledge working on vessels around the globe. In 2011 he got his first job in yachting where he spent four years. Krzysztof likes to always challenge himself and wanted to work on most sophisticated installations and between 2015 and 2020 worked on 4 different semi-submersible rigs. Since he fell in love with yachting, he finally got back to the yachting industry in 2020 and became a member of Arctic family. He has been in marine industry for over 12 years. He loves to spend time with his wife and son exploring Poland.
Rizwan Yusef Azeem — Steward (Sri Lankan)
Rizwan commonly known as Riz hails from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Soon after finishing school, he earned his diploma in hospitality at a reputed hospitality training institute in Sri Lanka. Upon completing his higher education, he worked at a 5 star luxury hotel in Dubai as a steward. Riz was the youngest steward recruited to Dubai. Riz has amassed over 18 years working in the luxury hospitality industry and because of this experience he has a wealth of knowledge to ensure you have the most comfortable time onboard Arctic. During Riz’s time off he enjoys hiking in and exploring the jungles of Sri Lanka. When he is not getting his boots muddy he enjoys 5 minute crafts and spending time with his wife and family.
Asela Werallagama — Steward (Sri Lankan)
Asela was born in Sri Lanka, as a boy he was a very active sportsman and always dreamt of becoming a professional cricket player. As a young man he decided to start his first job in the hospitality industry with the Hilton Colombo. After three 3 years at the Hilton he went on to work in Dubai at several 5 star hotels for 14 years. His next stop was Silverseas cruising as his first experience as a seaman. He thoroughly enjoyed working at sea and found a way into the private yachting industry with 98m Aviva, which was his last stop before joining Arctic in 2022. Asela has a very broad spectrum of hospitality experience to help make every guest feel at home while staying on Arctic. He still enjoys cricket, but now plays with his son to teach him how to play the sport.
Connor Wyness — Second Officer (English)
Connor grew up in the Middle East. Although he didn’t come from a maritime background, his early interest in water sports, including wakeboarding and scuba diving sparked an interest for life at sea. He began his professional career with a cadetship on bulk carriers and went on to serve as an Officer of the Watch on sailing cruise ships.
Now serving as Second Officer on Arctic, his responsibilities focus on ensuring the safety of guests and crew as well as managing the vessel’s navigation. A recent highlight in his career was a voyage on a 60 metre yacht from the Maldives to Dubai and onward to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. With Arctic, he looks forward to exploring the more remote areas of the world.
Sajad Markar — Bosun (Sri Lankan)
Sajad, known simply as Saj, grew up in Colombo. Saj is a nature lover and enjoys being outdoors. Having spent many hours outdoors he learned the unique skill of elephant tracking through the Sri Lankan jungle. Saj is an avid sports fan and player, he represented his college cricket and soccer teams. Being a self proclaimed island boy, Saj was fond of water sports and this led him to commit himself to learn and enjoy anything to do with water, in particular diving, jet skiing and boat handling.
He joined the yachting industry in 2001 and has never looked back. He has been fortunate enough to have cruised extensively around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Antarctic, The Pacific and Asia.
George Haddington — Steward (English)
Raised in Manchester, England, George’s hospitality journey began with a part-time position as a Wine Waiter at the prestigious and historical Midland Hotel in the city center. What started as a weekend position to keep him busy whilst studying English Literature at university has turned into a lifelong obsession with high-quality service and warm hospitality for George.
Over the next 5 years he progressed to Operations Manager for the Events team, helping to plan and execute all manner of functions including weddings, birthday parties, business meetings and even political party conferences. During this time, he also assisted on the Concierge desk, developing his passion for problem solving and fulfilling sometimes very out-of-the-ordinary requests! However, ever the explorer, George’s wanderlust got the better of him and after completing his Interior course at the UKSA on the Isle of Wight, George is excited to commence his first voyage aboard Arctic.
Outside of work, George is an avid reader and can usually be found lounging in his garden hammock (British weather permitting), nose buried in a book. Additionally, he’s a keen amateur cook, with an interest in world-cuisine, especially seafood. He tries to keep as active as possible by running, swimming or walking his beloved Springer-Spaniel/Labrador
cross, Bertie.
Isam Amsal — Deckhand (Sri Lankan)
Isam grew up in the palm-fringed island of Sri Lanka surrounded by uncles who were yachtsmen. After hearing their adventures of travelling the world and the thrills of the ocean, it was inevitable that Isam followed in their footsteps. The sea was already a part of Isam’s life, he’s an avid surfer and swimmer having done a 6 mile sea swim more recently. He is also a trained rescue swimmer and played water polo so he knows how to stay afloat at all costs.
Isam joined Arctic as a deckhand in October 2019 and has very quickly become a lovable member in the team. You may find him driving tenders into the sunset (and back) and handling the water sports facilities. You cannot ignore his warm smile and willingness to always lend a hand. Isam is also the resident personal trainer to many of his teammates having had a stint in Dubai teaching royalty how to work out. He will be happy to share best practices on how to get in shape.
Suresh Kalimuthu — Engineer (Indian)
Suresh was born and raised in the coastal city of Thoothukudi, in South India. Growing up near the sea, he was naturally drawn to a life connected with the ocean. This early fascination led him to pursue a Diploma in Marine Engineering, which laid the foundation for his maritime career.
In 2007, Suresh began his professional journey in Singapore, working in a marine yard as an Electrician. His strong technical skills and dedication quickly earned him the opportunity to work as a Ship’s Electrician within the same company. Seeking new challenges, Suresh transitioned into the cruise industry in 2013, where he spent five years gaining valuable experience aboard cruise liners.
From 2018 to 2025, he continued building his career in the offshore sector, further sharpening his electrical and engineering skills across various vessels. During this time, his passion for yachting continued to grow. A long-time dream finally came true when he joined Arctic as an Electrician—an environment where his expertise, adaptability, and love for the sea could truly shine.
With nearly two decades of marine industry experience, Suresh brings professionalism, calm under pressure, and a hands-on approach to every project. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his son and daughter, often planning family trips during his time off.
Amit Dias — Engineer (Indian)
Amit was raised in Vasai , near border of Mumbai, India, he has always been a very assertive, confident and a dependable person since his teenage years. He has the calibre to work hard in given circumstances and has a good rapport with his mates.
He accomplished his schooling from Carmelite convent school in Vasai After completing school, Amit’s curiosity and interest in machinery started to peak so he applied himself at Joseph Cardijan technical school to further his mechanical fitting education. Upon receiving his diploma, he spent several years working for various dockyards machining tools and various other unique parts for various ships. In 2003, Amit started his career in the Merchant navy working with chemical tankers. In 2009 Amit joined ARCTIC P and is working happily with his Arctic family and two brothers!
Amit is a responsible and reliable crew member and will always strives to make your onboard experience a significant one.
Pradeep Fernando — Chef (Sri Lankan)
Pradeep was born in Sri Lanka, his passion always was travel and he wanted to see the whole world and cross the oceans. Pradeep went to a culinary college in Sri Lanka. After his graduation, he started as a trainee chef in Colombo. Once he gathered enough hospitality experience ashore he decided to follow his dreams and started to work on cruise ships and commercial vessels. He went on to work in some small island resorts in Maldives and several other luxury establishments. In 2022 Pradeep joined his new family on Arctic as a 2nd Chef. His broad culinary experience will indulge any guest from traditional and modern cooking styles from all over the world. Pradeep and Bert our head chef will both make sure your culinary experience from Arctic will be an unforgettable one for you.
Arham Ergis — Chef (Sri Lankan)
Arham is from the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Growing up on the South Coast of the island he spent his childhood swimming in rivers and the ocean with his brothers. That’s where his love for the ocean began. Arham has always found interest in experimenting with different ingredients and flavours in the kitchen and thus his journey as a Chef began. As Chef onboard Arctic, Arham has been preparing delectable dishes from around the world. His exposure to different cuisines in his 30 years of travel has given him a versatile palate. While on holiday, Arham enjoys growing his own produce and fusing local flavours with international cuisines.
Ryan McNeil — Chase Boat Captain (New Zealand)
Ryan was raised in Tauranga on north island of New Zealand. His summers were spent on the oceans, firths and rivers, boating and fishing his native waters. His passion for boating led him to Australia for sail racing, followed by travelling to the US for the opportunity to teach sailing to children. From there, he entered the world of yachting, where he gained invaluable experience, leading him to his 20+ years in the industry, ensuring the safety of his crew and guests as well as maintaining a high standard of excellence and professionalism in yachting.
Today, after seeing many countries and their surrounding waters around the world, Ryan continues to explore the seas while sharing his knowledge with his guests. He lives in Wine Country of Northern California with his wife and their French Bulldog, Birdy. He loves to fish, tinker in the vegetable garden, and take road trips.
Bert Bakering — Chef (Dutch)
Bert was Born and raised on a small farm in the north of Holland.
He has been in the yachting industry for over 20 years. He has travelled the world extensively all the while learning new dishes from most places he visited.
His cuisine is considered to be healthy with the use of salads and vegetables and also mixes in flavours from all over the world. Bert can also produce an amazing burger if that’s what you like!
He currently lives with his family in the Philippines otherwise known as the queen city of the south, Cebu City. One of Berts favourite Hobbies is gardening. He set up his own hydroponic system growing fish and various salads. If he is not in his garden you could find him hiking up mountains or playing with and learning about new
technology.
Tony Barnes — Purser (Australian)
Tony is originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, but moved to Australia in 1992 with his family and finished off his remaining 2 years of High School on the southern Gold Coast.
After starting his working life as a Photocopier Technician, he soon found a love for travel and moved to the Canadian Ski Resort of Whistler in British Colombia for a working holiday where he learned to Ski and Snowboard. In 2003 he headed out to sea and started working on Cruise Ships with Norwegian Cruise in the Accounting Department, before becoming a Port & Shopping Guide on Holland America Cruise Line.
Tony has been working onboard Arctic P since 2012 and has been able to visit and experience some of the most amazing places around the world. Of all the places he has seen, his two trips to Antarctic while onboard will always stand out above the rest as the most astonishing and memorable.
Keith Samarakone — Purser (Sri Lankan)
Born and raised in Colombo, the bustling commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Keith began his
journey in the hospitality industry at the International Hotel School in Mount Lavinia, where he studied hospitality management. His dedication and talent earned him a coveted position as a management trainee with a prestigious 5-star hotel chain. There, he had the opportunity to train alongside some of the most respected figures in Global hospitality, gaining invaluable experience in high-end service and operations.
After several successful years in the hotel sector, Keith shifted his focus to managing a chain of restaurants and catering businesses in Colombo. In this role, he played a key part in expanding and growing the company, further honing his leadership and business development skills.
Keith’s passion for hospitality is evident in every role he takes on. Over the past 14 years with Arctic, he has travelled extensively, continuing to develop his knowledge and share his expertise across diverse environments and cultures.
When he’s not working, Keith enjoys spending time with his young family, walking his dogs,
playing cricket, cooking, exploring new destinations, and meeting people from all walks of life.
