The Picton Castle Crew

Introduction

The Picton Castle was about to embark on her fourth circumnavigation of the globe.The crew and trainees were getting excited and working so hard to ready the ship for their upcoming adventure. Lynsey, Kelly and I were working hard as well to ready the new "Picton Castle Sea Chest" store for opening.

By my involvement with the store and Picton Castle office, I was able to meet and interact with the interesting and varied assortment of folks about to embark on this huge life altering voyage. I was curious about the motivation and background of these individuals who would leave their "old" lives behind for this very hard working and challenging adventure. The obvious answer would be travel and new lands and peoples—but there are easier ways to go about that. After all it is no cruise. Hard work, lack of privacy, lack of contact with their families and friends—52 folks and 3 bathrooms!

So I asked all of the folks going on the Picton Castle to answer a set of open-ended questions. They could reveal as much or as little as they wished.

After getting to know the crew and trainees a bit and reading their bios I concluded that all of these people share a bond—a love of adventure, the sea, and a quest for a deeper connection to the world and themselves. As I watched the beautiful ship depart from the dock in Lunenburg, I felt so many mixed emotions to see all of these souls set off on their adventure. Sadness to see my new friends leave, excitement for them that it was finally happening, awe and inspiration that they were carrying on this seafaring tradition. Added to that was the certain knowledge that when I see all of these people next year, they will be forever changed—altered and enlightened by their time as a team on the ship, by their experience with peoples of faraway lands, and by their internal changes and growth that only a very few people in the world get to experience in this way.

Thank you to the crew and trainees for giving a glimpse of themselves in these biographies.

Crew Biographies

Mike Hendersen
Mike Henderson, 34
Trainee
Entire voyage

I was born in Antigonish, N.S. and grew up in P.E.I. I have a degree in technical engineering from Dalhousie University. After graduation I moved to Alberta where I've been working as a professional engineer specializing in oilfield rotating equipment. I'm looking forward to the whole voyage! I will miss my queen size bed and hope to return with all of the appendages that I left with!

Jack Hubbard Jr
Jack Hubbard, 20
Trainee
Entire voyage

After graduating from Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts, I moved to Florida, where I worked as crew and dive guide on scuba diving boats. My dad was on the ship for Leg 1 and he will rejoin the ship in Cape Town for leg 4. I look forward to seeing the whole world while learning my way around a tall ship. I hope to come out of this experience confident in my sailing abilities. I will miss my family, bacon cheeseburgers, and baseball.

John_Kemper
John Kemper, 20
Pro Crew, Lead Seaman
Entire voyage

I have a big family, who I'm going to miss a lot. I was on the last voyage as a trainee and am very happy to be pro crew this time around. I am looking forward to it all—the work, the sunsets, the Islands, the beers.

Maggie Ostler
Maggie Ostler, 28
Trainee
Entire voyage

I graduated from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, with an Honors B.A. in Canadian studies. I have worked seasonally at a residential camp/outdoor education center and ski hill. I'm looking forward to the challenge of the voyage and meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, learning sefaring skills, and getting to know my shipmates. I hope to be satisfied at the end of it that I have given myself to it and have taken everything I can from the journey.

Susannah_Clark,_Sailmaker
Susannah “Suzo” Clark, 25
Pro Crew, Sailmaker
Entire voyage

Born at sea in the teeth of a gale, I spent my younger years in the grand state of Maine, where I was raised, educated and gainfully employed. I am looking forward to cracking open coconuts on the beach with a machete, fishing and rambling in the South Pacific and stitching my way across the oceans. I really prefer to avoid Dengue fever; it is most unpleasant!

Andrea Moore
Andrea Moore, 24
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I'm from Alberta and have a bachelor's degree in environmental biology. I'm looking forward to learning rigging and ropework, seeing my shipmates develop to become competent seafarers and experiencing the long periods at sea with no land in sight. By the end of this voyage I hope to be a confident sailor who has done well by the ship and my shipmates.

Mhari_Russell
Mhairi Russell, 27
Trainee
Leg 1

I'm a dentist, and I'm originally from British Columbia. I am really excited to pass through the Panama Canal and am looking forward to seeing the Galapagos and Pitcairn Island, especially Pitcairn, because it is so remote. Being aloft is also something I'm keen to experience again, as it is such an amazing place to be on board.

Pania Warren
Pania Warren, 18
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I come from New Zealand but have lived most of my life on Pitcairn Island. I'm looking forward to learning, seeing, and experiencing just about everything. One place I'm really looking forward to visiting is Palmerston Atoll because I've never heard of it.

Greg_Bailey,_2nd_Mate
Greg Bailey, 26
Pro Crew, 2nd Mate
Entire Voyage

I started sailing in Brig Niagara as a boy and eventually left school to go to sea. Most recently have been sailing in schooners, doing educational programming. I don't really know what I'm most looking forward to; however, I know there's a lot out there. I hope to accomplish some sort of positive change by the end of this voyage.

Margot Bower
Margot Bower, 22
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I have just recently graduated with a BA in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. I came on this trip to have the chance to learn skills that few people today still practice, and to see places and meet people around the world, which I would otherwise never be able to experience. By the end of this trip I hope to have mastered the general skills of a traditional square-rigged sailor.

Brent Howell
Brent Howell, 19
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I graduated from high school in Georgia, and then took a year off to work in Florida. I look forward to learning seamanship and navigation, plus seeing the islands and different cultures. After this voyage I hope to get my Able-Bodied Seaman certificate.

Brian Snelson
Brian Snelson, 39
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I am an ex-marine and a published author of a teen science fiction fantasy novel. I am looking forward to learning the ways of the sea and ships, seeing and meeting new interesting people, and experiencing the cultures of exotic lands. By the end of this journey I hope to have a new book written and a sense of spiritual awareness one can only get from such an adventure.

John D
J. D. Weber, 52
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I have been a general insurance broker for 27 years and have done some extensive sailing and racing on the Great Lakes and the Virgin Islands. I look forward to learning about the square-rigged ship, teamwork, the open ocean passage and the grass roots social interaction with multiple cultures. By the end of the voyage I hope to qualify for marine licensing.

Becky Fisher
Becky Fisher, 35
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I graduated from the Ohio State with a bachelor's degree in Allied Health and became a licensed physical therapist. I have been working at the Columbus Children's Hospital for 11 years. I'm looking forward to learning everything there is to learn about seafaring, experiencing the new lands, people, and cultures, and specifically excited to see the Galapagos Islands, Pitcairn, Bali and Cape Town. I hope to gain a broader perspective of the world I live in and advance from a trainee to a respected knowledgeable crew member.

Andrea Deyling
Andrea Deyling, 30
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I grew up in Ohio and studied Aerospace Flight Technology, climatology and earned all of my airplane pilot certificates and have flight instructed at Ohio State and have flown airships. I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can about everything I am exposed to, however more than anything, experiencing that right now I'm unaware of. I hope to have accomplished all the skills of an Able-Bodied Seaman and gain a new perspective on life.

Sam_Heyman,_Chief_Mate
Samantha Heyman, 33
Born and raised in Massachusetts Pro Crew, First Mate
Entire Voyage

My first offshore experience was on Gazela from New Orleans to Philadelphia. Since then I have been crew on Rosemary, Ernestina, Irving Johnson, Pride of Baltimore II and the Clearwater, of which I was captain during 2000–2004. I'm looking forward to honing my leadership skills, never having had a crew this big. I have traveled extensively, but I'm eager to interact with people and cultures so far removed from my own. I will miss my family, close friends and rockin' boyfriend, Dan—but the rest is just stuff.

Tracy_Nichols,_Lead_Seaman
Tracy Nichols, 21
Pro Crew, AB Seaman
Entire voyage

I have been sailing for the past five years on the museum ship Balclutha, the HMS Rose, Irving Johnson, Niagara, and Pride of Baltimore II. I am looking forward to the whole new experience.

Logan_Livingston,_Carpenter_and_Deckhand
Logan Livingston, 21
Pro Crew, Carpenter/Seaman
Whole voyage

I stowed away on a Spanish fishing vessel as a young boy and learned to read from the ship's Bible. My family is spread all over the world. I'm most looking forward to the wind filling the sails and I will miss my friends, his family, and my dog, Orpheu.

Jane McDonald
Jane McDonald, 37
Trainee
Leg 1 (Lunenburg-Rarotonga)

I am originally from Manchester, England. I now live in London, and before joining the ship I was a freelance editor working on magazines. I am looking forward to the Panama Canal, Pitcairn, the Galapagos—her whole voyage. I'll miss English tea and chocolate, among other things.

Dr Jeremy Morton
Jeremy Morton, 69
Trainee & Ship's Medical Officer
Definitely first leg, perhaps more.

I have been a cardiac and vascular surgeon practicing in Portland, Maine for the past 34 years. I am most looking forward to experiencing circumnavigation—to seeing the Galapagos, Panama Canal and the South Pacific islands. I will miss my wife and children. I hope to become more facile with celestial navigation and to further my skills and understanding of seamanship and square-rigged ships.

David Zimmer
David Zimmer, 24
Trainee
Entire voyage

Recently I graduated from Emboy-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. There really isn't “one thing” I'm looking forward to learning. I intend to get the most out of my time on the Picton Castle. I want to learn navigation, small boat handling, and rope work.

Brett Robinson
Brett Robinson, 18
Trainee
Leg 1 & 2

I grew up between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia around sailing and fishing boats during the summer. I have spent time assisting the engineer during winter maintenance aboard the ship. I hope to be a competent sailor who contributes a lot to the combined effort of the ship.

Ivan Klok
Ivan Klok, 42
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I have been a permanent resident of my home-town in Alberta my whole life and own/operate a building construction company. I'm excited about learning to adapt into the whole culture & lifestyle of living on a ship as well as experiencing the cultures of the various landfalls we'll be making. I'd like to achieve my A.B. seaman level.

Bruce Macbain
Bruce Macbain, 56
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I am a resident of Kansas City and president of a software company, having been in business for 21 years. I look forward to meeting the indigenous populations, learning their culture, playing their music, and tasting their food.

Kolin Murray
Kolin S. Murray, 26
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I'm from Alberta and still working on my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Anthropology. I am mostly looking forward to learning how to sail and all of the workshops on board, especially those on celestial navigation. If I take part in all shipboard activities and learn what I can from other crew, I will have gained all what I was looking for and more.

Barbara Johnson
Barbara C. Johnson, 49
Trainee
Leg 1 & 2

I am a nationally (US) certified massage therapist with a strong family background in sailing tall ships. I look forward to learning navigation, sail handling, rigging, sail making, and experiencing other cultures, especially the Galapagos and Pitcairn Island. I hope to accomplish learning to sail a square rigger and visit places that I would not otherwise on my own.

Paulina Brooks
Paulina Brooks , 50
Trainee
Leg 1

I live in Bermuda and have already done some sailing with the Picton Castle on the second and third World Voyages. I am looking forward to the wonderful young people the ship attracts and learning from them and learning traditional seamanship. I hope to gain a thorough knowledge of all I start.

Morgan Davis
Morgan Davis, 62
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I am the third great-grandson of C. W. Morgan, have a 5-year degree in anthropology, and am now retired. I am looking forward to learning sailmaking and visiting Madagascar. I hope to meet and accomplish my commitment to this ship.

Ryan Doll
Ryan Anthony Doll, 26
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I am from Alberta and have diplomas in electronic engineering, technology and robotics, and automation technology. I'm excited to see people and cultures outside North America and learn about the ship and traditional sailing. I hope to gain my A.B. seaman's certificate, my open water Scuba Diving permit and to complete the journey having made some wonderful lifelong friends.

Erin Standing
Erin Standing, 22
Sail Trainee
Education Officer for Worldwise & Mystic Seaport
Entire Voyage

I am from Cape Breton and a recent graduate of King's College in Halifax. I am most looking forward to meeting the people in ports, receiving a culture shock and cannot wait to get the books and supplies to schools. I hope to earn my A.B. seaman's certificate and to gain a perspective of the world outside of North America.

Kimberly_Helms,_Purser
Kimberly Helms, 30
Pro Crew, Ship's Purser
Entire Voyage

I am from England and I have been aboard the ship more or less since February 2002. Immensely looking forward to seeing my friends I made on the voyage last time, enjoying the shopping and dining at all the ports, the gorgeous sailing in the South Atlantic, and the quiet of being at sea. I hope the ship arrives back at the dock with 52 happy crew, a cat still intact, undamaged cargo, and more great memories.

Jeffrey Radkins
Jeffrey Radkins, 48
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I have a B.A. in history and bachelor's in engineering technology. My primary learning will be celestial navigation and how to sail a square-rigged ship. I hope to arrive back in Lunenburg with an understanding of the people and cultures of a small part of the world and a deep appreciation for the other persons who shared in this voyage.

Catherine Guiher
Catharine Guiher, 46
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I work in Theatre Administration/Management. I look forward to learning everything about a square rigger, experiencing a cultural exchange and seeing Polynesia and the South Seas. I hope to learn the fundamentals of seafaring, gain new friends, and have a well-traveled experience.

David Matthews
David Matthews, 36
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I am most looking forward to learning to be a good seaman, seeing the extramural and experiencing good company. I hope to have accomplished this circumnavigation and a safe sail home.

John Kerr
John D. Kerr, 60
Trainee
Leg 1 & 2

I'm a registered professional electrical engineer and have a permanent residence in New Hampshire. I'm looking forward to the square-rig sailing, and experiencing the South Pacific and those who inhabit that area. I hope to have a good understanding and experience of sailing a square rigged ship and good memories of the voyage.

Billy Campbell
William “Ollie” Campbell, 45
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I've been pursuing acting since 1983 with work in television, film and theatre. I'm looking forward to learning everything I can that pertains to square-rig sailing. However, I'm trying not to have perceptions of what I might experience or the effect it may have. I hope to have gained some knowledge of seafaring and work at getting better at the fiddle.

Ray Conrady
Ray Conrady, 69
Trainee
Leg 1

I used to be a schoolteacher; however, I realized later that the sea was the place I wanted to be. I most look forward to learning to work the sails. I hope to have finally gotten going to sea out of my system by the end of this journey.

Torunn Andersen
Torunn Andersen, 38
Trainee
Entire Voyage

I worked as a finance manager at a shipyard on the west coast of Norway. I'm looking forward to learning everything about sailing a tall ship, as these skills I will practice in my life when I get back. I hope to have accomplished an adventure that has given me the passion to meet people and places about which I normally would know little or nothing.

Johanna Hancock
Johanna Hancock, 61
Trainee
Legs 1 & 2

I've been an educator, worked in live theatre, and presently own an antique store in Lunenburg, N.S. I'm looking forward to learning sail maintenance, to being part of a sailing adventure that has virtually vanished and the teamwork necessary to make this voyage happen. I hope to have achieved competence on deck at the end of this journey.

Kathleen Zirone
Kathleen Zirone, 21
Trainee Entire Voyage

I graduated from high school two years ago, volunteered in West Africa, and came on the ship last summer, returning again in the winter to ready the ship. I am most looking forward to learning the arts of a marlin spike sailor, traveling to new places and experiencing different cultures.

 

Sound Like a Great Learning Adventure?

Why not learn more about becoming a sail trainee, apply for one of our upcoming trips or our next world voyage!

Just Want to Know More About the Voyage?

Read the Captain's Log and the Crew Journals to learn about the experiences, the people met along a the way and get a different perspective of the world. You can also see where we've been, who we've met and what we do along with many other great images in the Photo Galleries.