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Meet the Crew of the M/V Arctic Sunrise *They come from a variety of backgrounds, age groups, and nationalities but they all share a commitment to protect our planet's fragile environment.*	Learn About the Ship Visit the bridge, check out monkey island, or spend time in the radio room during our virtual tour. Read about Sunrise's past campaign expeditions in the ship's history section. [Virtual Tour] [Ship History]
The Crew
Name: Arne Nationality: Danish Rank on board: Captain Profession: Master Mariner Professional Experience: Danish merchant navy. First started working for Greenpeace in 1988 with a trip to Antarctica. Has also worked on the Greenpeace Anti-whaling, SE-Asia, Amazon, Climate and SBT campaigns. Areas of special interest: Most aspects of the Polar regions - history, science, books & stamps.
	Name: Frank Age: 36 Home:Deventer, Netherlands Professional Experience: Ten years working on tugboats and eight years working for Greenpeace. Why you work for Greenpeace?: For the opportunity to make up to the sea for what I did wrong to the sea in the beginning of my career.
Name: Daniel Age: 33 Hometown:Tucuman, Argentina Professional Experience: Retired from Argentinean Navy, and I have a master’s ticket, which qualifies me to be a mate on merchant ships. I have been a sailor for 13 years, a mate for eight of those years, and have worked for Greenpeace for the past five years. This is my second trip to Antarctica, and I have been to the Arctic once. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I used to work on petroleum and chemical carriers and didn’t like what I saw. I want to be able to say to future generations that I have done something. I want to participate in change. Hobbies include: Scuba diving, jumping out of airplanes and climbing.
	Name: Slava Age: 22 Hometown: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk,Sakhalin Island, Russia. Position on board: 3rd Mate - marine navigator Professional Experience: I have been working at sea for almost six years, and as a navigator on commercial ships for two of those years. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I like to do this job for Greenpeace. With Greenpeace I have the chance to work with good people – we are all going in the same direction and have the same goals. And it is good not to have any regrets about what I am doing. Interesting fact: Slava is the first Russian navigator on a Greenpeace ship.
Name: Curtis Age: 30 Hometown: Pittwater - Sydney, Australia Role on ship: 4th mate Professional Experience: I have been working on boats since I was 15, and first went to sea when I was 17. This is my fourth trip with Greenpeace since I started working for the organization in 1997. When I’m not working on Greenpeace ships I work on traditional sailing vessels – square rigged ships. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I've always wanted to work for Greenpeace, ever since I was a kid and saw them involved in exciting, dangerous actions. I believe that we all need to do something positive for nature, to make a difference. In Greenpeace I can use my skills, enjoying what I do, to help the environment.
	Name: John B. Age: 47 Hometown:Dublin, Ireland Role on ship: Lead Campaigner, to ensure good management and coordination for the campaign on board the Arctic Sunrise. Professional Experience: Environmental campaigner and campaign coordinator for the past 12 years. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I began working for Greenpeace in 1987 because I believed what it stood for. I still believe in the Greenpeace philosophy.
Name: Cris Age: 31 Nationality: Brazil Position on board: 2nd Campaigner Years with Greenpeace: 2.5 years This Brazilian landlubber has challenged the power of the furious ocean to save the whales. Constantly fighting seasickness, she hopes to return to firm land with a victory for the marine mammals.
	Name: Milko Age: 24 Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina, but I was born and raised in Concordia, in the Entre Rios province. Role on ship: Campaigner. Professional Experience: I’ve been working on environmental issues since I was 18 years old. I have worked for Greenpeace for the past three and a half years. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: For our children (all though I have no children yet). And for all kinds of life that is suffering from our negligence. Also, because Greenpeace is the most radical and independent environmental organization of the world. Anything else you want people to know: I think that in the family are the primordial values of life. And I think that the most important environmentalists of the world are the aborigines.
Name: Neil Role on ship: Radio Operator. Age: Will turn 36 in January 2000 Professional Experience: Served for 10 years in the Australian army as a communications technician, have a diploma in Engineering and Maritime Electronics, and an amateur radio operator’s license (call sign – vk3grn). I have worked with Greenpeace since 1990. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: To make a change.
	Name: Colin Home Town: Woodbridge, Tasmania, Australia Role on ship: Assistant to the Radio Operator Professional Experience: Land based Maritime tech support, and Greenpeace Tour to the Arctic, summer 1999, on the Arctic Sunrise. Why do you work for Greenpeace: To lend professional support to the ongoing battle to save the planet. Likes: Music and the sea. Dislikes: Those who take advantage of the helpless.
Name: Marijke Age: 29 Hometown: Utrecht, Netherlands Role on ship: Chief scientist – coordinate the scientific research. Professional Experience: I have been working as a deckhand and scientist for Greenpeace for the last three years. I have conducted whale surveys for Greenpeace in Antarctica, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I feel very strongly about the environment and quit my job to be able to sail for Greenpeace. There is so much to learn about the oceans, they really are a "black box". I hope to try to be able to add, even if it is just a tiny bit, to the body of information that will help convince governments that it is time to stop polluting the seas.
	Name: Klaas Age: 27 Hometown: Amsterdam Role on ship:Bird scientist.- I take bird counts every hour, writing down what species they are and what their behavior is. During the rest of the time I help the rest of the science team count whales, determine whale species and eventually measure diving times. Professional experience: I have a degree in biology and I have been working on a 100 year-old Dutch Greenpeace sailing vessel. During the summer we take classes of 12 year olds out for a sail, and teach them about the environment, nature and Greenpeace. Which is really good fun. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: Because I really feel Greenpeace makes a difference. Globally. Some people make such a mess of this world that it is good that there is so many people in the world to support Greenpeace so that we can knock 'em down without hurting them. Comment on life on board the Arctic Sunrise: The kind of cooks that we have on board should be forbidden. I think I will come back home twice as big as I was.
Name: Martin Age: 25 Hometown: Peterborough, UK, originally but London mainly now. Role on ship: Scientist - I work with the science team in the collection of sightings data on whales and dolphins, seals and debris. We also do photo identification of whales, underwater acoustics studies of whale noises, and collect general environmental data including salinity and plankton sampling. Professional Experience: This is my fourth whale and dolphin survey with Greenpeace. Outside of Greenpeace I have worked with seals in rescue, rehabilitation and release at a seal sanctuary in Cornwall, UK, and at a monkey sanctuary with Amazonian monkeys in a rehabilitation program aimed at returning captive animals to their natural environment. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: Simply caring about environmental degradation is not enough. I have to do something about it. The best way to do this is to work with other people who share the same concerns. One voice is sometimes difficult to hear, many voices cannot be ignored!
	Name: Nicholas Age: 40 Hometown: Now I live in Sydney, Australia, but was born in London, UK. Role on ship: Whale, bird and debris surveyor. Usual Occupation: When not on a Greenpeace ship I work for Greenpeace (Australia) supporter services. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: To try and redress the imbalance caused by mad monkeys whose actions are only driven by short term profit. Seriously would you let this species (Homo sapiens) guard nuclear waste for 10,000 years, or even 50? I came on this trip because it’s a great opportunity to do something positive towards ending whaling. We're proving we can do scientific research without killing anything.
Name: David Age:30 (almost 31) Home: Rotterdam, Netherlands Role on ship: I am the chief engineer on board of the Arctic Sunrise. Everything technical that moves, spins or makes noise is my responsibility. Professional Experience: In 1992, I took my first trip working for Greenpeace, since then I have been working, off an on, on the GP ships. However, most of my experience is on commercial vessels, but I would like to change that in the future. Why do I work for Greenpeace?: I want to use my skills and training for the right purpose. I also like being part of our effort to use the most environmentally sound technologies, and will keep pushing within the organization to do even more on this.
	Name:Aaron Age: 24 Home town: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, but Melbourne is where the real action takes place. Role on ship: Second Engineer. Professional Experience: Since receiving my certificate in 1997, I have been working as a seagoing marine engineer for BHP. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: This gives me the chance to do something that is worth doing. I think that one day we will look back at this and think, wow we really did make a difference.
Name: Jaume Age: 38 Hometown: Palma, Mallorca Island, Spain Role on ship: Electrician Professional Experience: I have been working with electricity, and ship electronics for 8 years. I was also the skipper of the Greenpeace Spain ship, ZORBA, for more than 2 years as part of an education project for Spanish Greenpeace supporters. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: It is good to push in the right direction for a better world. Likes: I love sailing, no matter the ship or the ocean. But also I love to be at home, play my saxophone (I'm really bad), skate, and especially, do nothing - spending time at anchor in a nice place on my own little boat.
	Name: Richard (RP) Age: 34 Home: New Zealand Position on ship: Outboard Mechanic Time working for Greenpeace: 7 years Reason for working with Greenpeace: To be a spanner in the works of big business and governments.
Name: Emilie Age: 27 Hometown: Marken - A little Island in a great lake in Holland Role on ship: Second cook Professional Experience: I worked on a Greenpeace ship as cook in 1992, and then started with Greenpeace again about a year ago. For the last six years I have also been cooking on a charter boat where my boyfriend works. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: Because I prefer to work on the other side of the fine line between consuming and constructing. Other interesting bits: My motivation for studying Anthropology, physiotherapy and environmental studies has been to learn how to do good for the world and humanity. I think that now I am less naive about how much one person can do alone.
	Name: Sue Age: 51 Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand. Role on ship: Medic/deckhand/activist. Professional Experience: Registered Nurse specializing in preventative medicine (public health and occupational health). Fifteen years seagoing experience including 12 with Greenpeace. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: A clean and healthy environment is essential for the health of the people.
Name: Eddie Age: 55 Home: Edinburgh, Scotland. Role on ship: Bosun Professional Experience: I’ve been working at sea since 1960. I served 10 years in the Royal Navy (UK), and was a merchant marine in the Falklands and the Gulf wars. I’ve been working for Greenpeace since 1996. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: It’s about time somebody done something.
	Name: Yasu Age: 29 Home: Tokyo, Japan Professional Experience: I worked as a deckhand on commercial fishing ships for a year. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I wanted to work for a non-commercial ship. I don’t like how many companies, and their ships, put money before everything else.
Name: Deb Age: 28 Home: Pambula, Australia Professional Experience: I have been working for Greenpeace for five years. I started as an office manager, but after 18 months I moved over to the actions team. I have been working as a deckhand for a year now, and have a degree in Administration. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: In the hope that our actions can assist in providing a world, an environment, free of contamination and social injustice for future generations to appreciate, enjoy and respect.
	First name: Zeger Age: 37 Hometown: Marken, Holland Role on ship: Deckhand. Professional Experience:I am skipper on a charter boat in Holland. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I hope that I can do something with my experience to help the organization and the goal they are standing for.
First name: Namhee Age: 28 Hometown: Pusan, South Korea Role on ship: Deckhand as well as campaign duties. Professional Experience: Masters degree in International Environmental Law. Studied at Kyushu University in Japan for 1 year. Worked for Korean Federation for Environmental Movements (KFEM) as a researcher. Then I joined in for two Greenpeace actions, and now I am on the ship! Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I love the spirit of the Greenpeace. And the most important reason is that I can be myself and enjoy what I am doing here. Of course I am here to "Save the Earth". Thoughts on ship life: Being on the ship is enjoyable. Except sleeping can be very difficult for me when the sea is rough. Also, I am looking forward to seeing penguins.
	Name: Phil Age:40 Home: Marton, New Zealand (on the lower North island) Role on ship: Helicopter pilot Professional Experience: Twenty years of aviation background. Two years fixed wing and 18 years helicopter. As a helicopter pilot I have done everything from crop dusting to search and rescue. I have a lot of experience working in remote locations, and have two instructor ratings. This is my first trip with Greenpeace. Why do you work for Greenpeace: I feel working for Greenpeace is a rewarding compliment to my belief that one person can make a difference, but more importantly, that working together we can make a big difference.
Name: Barry Age: 48 Home:TeAnau, New Zealand Role on ship: Helicopter mechanic Professional Experience: Thirty years as an aircraft engineer. Four thousand hours logged as a helicopter pilot. This is my first trip with Greenpeace. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I turned down a job with Greenpeace once. My brother went instead of me, and I have always regretted not going. Life changing event: I was a passenger on an airplane that went down. Out of 254 people on that plane, only 26 of us survived. This changed my outlook on life, and made working on a Greenpeace ship even more important to me.
	Name: John C. Position: Ship's Photographer (Freelance). Age: 34 Nationality: Scottish Education: University of Glasgow (Geography & Marine Science) Why do you work for Greenpeace?: I have been working as a photographer for Greenpeace for almost 2 years and find the work truly vocational. You never know what you will be asked to photograph, or what will happen when you try. Actions often require the photographer to be in the thick of it, calling for a high degree of adaptability and a range of skills, such as climbing or diving, over and above the ability to come back with high quality images. About the crew: Sometimes the crew find me a pain in the neck, but on the whole are very tolerant of being followed everywhere and photographed doing almost everything. I don't know if I'd be as patient being on the other side of the lens.
Name: Moose Age: 28 Nationality: An Aussie living abroad. Role on the ship: Videogapher (Freelance) - One of the guys in charge of Greenpeace ’s most useful tool. Professional Experience: Worked in television for nearly 10 years. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: Satisfaction that as an individual I can’t do jack, but as a team we get results.
	Name: Andrew Age: 30 Hometown: Washington, DC, USA, but was living in New York right before this trip. Role on ship: Ship’s webmaster - A grandiose way of saying I provide content from the ship for this website. Professional Experience: I have been doing Internet and public communications work for about five years. I have been working for Greenpeace since May of 1996, and before that was an intern for the Institute for Global Communications (a progressive Internet service provider). Why do you work for Greenpeace?: Because the good guys are going to have to seize the high ground on the net or we’re all in trouble. Plus, where else could I work with such cheeky bastards? Other interesting facts about yourself: I have never been out to sea before this trip, but I did take a sailing course in college. I got a grade of “B” (above average) even though I capsized every single day I went out on the water.
First name: Lena Age: 37 Hometown: Shetland Islands but have been working out of the Amsterdam office as Ships Coordinator for the last 5 months. Role on ship: Cook and purveyor of superior dining - but usually sail as second mate. I just fancied a change of scene. I started out sailing commercially as a cook and worked my way up to mate. I always wanted to do an Antarctic Voyage as a cook and this is my chance. Professional Experience: I have been working on ships for 13 years. I used to be a mate on coasters around northern Europe & West Africa lugging around general cargo. In 1990, I joined the Greenpeace Marine Division. Since then I have worked in all of the campaign areas. This is my fourth Antarctic Whaling Trip. Why do you work for Greenpeace?: It is good to feel that I can use my skills to help Greenpeace. In the commercial sector,we were often carrying chemicals and fertilizers and it was depressing to see the general lack of concern for the marine environment. Garbage and oil going overboard was a daily occurrence. I enjoy the camaraderie of working with an international team of dedicated people towards a common goal.

Meet the Crew of the M/V Arctic Sunrise

Learn About the Ship

Meet the Crew of
the M/V Arctic Sunrise