About the Company

North Pacific Expeditions

Captains Aspin & Erik

Owners and Captains Erik and Aspin envisioned a lifelong dream of sharing their passion of sea journeys with others which led to the creation of North Pacific Expeditions.

Erik has spent much of his life on the water where he has learned to listen and feel the nuances of the sea. This ingrained knowledge and experience enables Erik to navigate confidently while his enthusiasm and personable demeanor creates a delightful and inviting atmosphere. While skippering the F/V North American in Prince William Sound for salmon tendering season, he fell in love with the dramatic beauty and diversity of wildlife of Southcentral Alaska and his vision of providing small vessel cruises became a reality.

Aspin hails originally from Telluride, Colorado where growing up in a pristine mountain environment has made her particularly attuned to the specialness of wild places. She has also always felt an affinity for the ocean and its creatures, especially the whales and dolphins. Having both mountains and the sea, Alaska became the perfect magical place for exploration. With a guest services background, Aspin understands the details and needs of what guests desire for an exceptionally wonderful trip.

Erik and Aspin look forward to offering specialty wilderness cruises with North Pacific Expeditions aboard the classic M/V Sea Star.  They hope to exceed your expectations and are excited to share their home away from home.

 

About the Crew

 

Erik Teevin –  Captain and  Ship’s Engineer

Captain Erik – SS Virginia V

Captain Erik Teevin’s deep passion for the sea began at the age of ten during his first sailboat voyage in Southern California.  His love for sailing only grew after relocating to the Seattle area at age 13, where he sailed the waters of the greater Pacific Northwest and spent over a decade racing various sailboats, serving as both their tactician and helmsman.

Erik generously volunteers and serves as the senior captain of the Virginia V, a historic 125-foot wooden steamship built in 1922. Recognized as both a Seattle and National Historic Landmark, the Steamship Virginia V is the last operational U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) commercially inspected steam-powered-engine, propeller-driven vessel on the West Coast still carrying passengers across the waters of Puget Sound and Lake Washington.  Erik is also the skipper of the Fishing Vessel (F/V) North American, a 110-foot Marco-built vessel featured on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch.  He regularly navigates the waters of the Inside Passage that includes Canada’s beautiful British Columbia’s coastline and the remote waters of Southeast, Southcentral and Southwest Alaska.

With his extensive experience, deep knowledge, and unwavering passion and respect for the sea, Captain Erik ensures a safe and enjoyable experience aboard the yacht Sea Star. His familiarity and expertise in mechanical and electrical systems guarantees that Sea Star is always in top condition and ready for any voyage, exceeding USCG regulations at every turn.

Erik currently holds a US Coast Guard 200 ton Master – Near Coastal Merchant Mariner Credential (license) and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

 

Sara Teevin – Chief Stewardess & Head Deckhand

Sara is now in her fifth year with North Pacific Expeditions, a role that has allowed her to combine her knowledge with her passion for maritime exploration. Born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Sara has always felt an innate and unwavering connection to the sea. Her childhood was spent on the waters of the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound, where she was introduced to the art of boating by her family, learning not only the intricacies of deck work and ship handling but also the rhythms and tides that define this unique part of the world. Over the years, this early immersion in the maritime environment blossomed into a deep appreciation for the ocean and a keen interest in marine life, which has only grown as she has spent more time on the water.

Sara’s boundless curiosity and passion for the outdoors continue to inspire her, and she now relishes the opportunity to work and explore the vast, waters of Alaska. For Sara, every expedition is both a challenge and a privilege, allowing her to share her expertise with others while simultaneously deepening her own connection and knowledge of the untamed beauty of the Alaskan coastline. Each day on the water brings new discoveries, and for Sara, it’s a never-ending adventure to connect with the sea, its creatures, and the people who share her love for it.

Annika Brinkley – Naturalist, Kayak Guide, Deckhand & Stewardess

We are delighted to have Annika join the North Pacific Expeditions team this year where she will take on a variety of responsibilities, including naturalist, kayak guide, deckhand, and stewardess.

A fourth-generation Washingtonian, Annika was raised amidst the waters of Puget Sound, sparking her passion for all things marine. After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on marine studies from Western Washington University, she gained invaluable experience working in education positions across Vermont, Connecticut, and Alaska. This included presenting educational programs and teaching classroom programs at the Alaska SeaLife Center while living in Seward, Alaska, as well as serving as a marine education instructor at Seattle’s Maritime High School in Seattle, Washington. With a steadfast commitment to teaching, Annika plans to pursue a master’s degree in education this fall, aspiring to become a professional science educator at the high school level and beyond.

Having lived in Seward, Alaska, during the summer of 2019, Annika is thrilled to return to one of the most stunning places in the world. She is particularly excited about exploring the ecology and geography of new areas and enjoys sharing this knowledge with others. She looks forward to checking off more whale species from her bucket list, seeing more glaciers and towering mountains, and fully immersing herself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska. That said, Annika is deeply grateful for the opportunity to join the North Pacific Expeditions team, further pursue her passions, and continue following her dreams.

 Chef 

To Be Announced Soon.