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 fell in love with the sea when he went on his first sailboat ride at the age of ten in Southern California. He continued to sail after moving to the Seattle area at the age of 13 around the Puget Sound area and greater Pacific Northwest and spent over 10 years racing sailboats.

He also skippers the Fishing Vessel (F/V) North American, a 110 foot Marco built vessel (that was featured on the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch”) through the Inside Passage, and around the waters of Southeast, Southcentral  and Southwest Alaska.  As well, Erik volunteers his time as captain of the well-known 125 foot wooden Steamship Virginia V built in 1922 (a Seattle and National Historic Landmark) that is the last operational United States Coast Guard (USCG) commercially inspected steam-powered, propeller driven vessel on the west coast still carrying passengers.

Erik’s knowledge, experience and passion for the sea along with his navigational skills ensures a pleasurable and safe cruise aboard the M/Y Sea Star.  His mechanical and electrical talents ensures that Sea Star is properly prepared and safe for any voyage and that the vessel always meets or exceeds all USCG regulations.

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

 

 

Meredith Roberts – Stewardess, Naturalist & Kayak Guide

Meredith participates in many roles as a member of the North Pacific Expeditions team that includes stewardess, naturalist and kayak guide.  Meredith has always had an affinity for spending time on the water. In 2019 she drove from her home state of Pennsylvania to Valdez, Alaska to intern for a Sea Kayaking outfit. During this internship she fell so deeply in love with the “Last Frontier,” that she decided to stay.  Since then, Meredith has been working in Alaska’s tourism industry in various capacities and is thrilled to be serving as the Sea Star’s Stewardess, Naturalist and Sea Kayak Guide.

Meredith is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and is currently a student at Alaska Pacific University, gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Studies, in addition to actively working towards gaining her US Coast Guard 100 GRT Master Mariner Credential.

 

Dre Langefeld – Chef 

Meet Dre, a multifaceted “Jackie” of all trades, whose journey began in the picturesque landscapes of Asheville, NC and led to the untamed beauty of Alaska. Armed with an undergraduate degree in Biology, Dre ventured northward after graduation, captivated by the vast expanses of the Last Frontier.

Dre’s life has been filled with diverse experiences, donning hats ranging from National Park Service Ranger , Competitive Dog Musher, Licensed A&P Mechanic, and Chef, among a myriad of other roles around the world. Since 2019, Dre has been crafting culinary wonders on small boats navigating the waters of South Central Alaska. A true culinary artist, Dre views food as a love language, striving to create unforgettable memories through each dish drawing on her travels for inspiration. Embracing challenges with enthusiasm, Dre thrives in the unique realm of cooking, where the constraints of space and resources aboard a yacht ignite her creativity.

Beyond the galley, Dre feeds her adventurous spirit by paddle boarding, fishing, flying, skiing, attempting to keep house plants alive and globetrotting. Whether navigating the waters or exploring the wilderness, Dre’s passion for creating exceptional dishes and lasting experiences shines through.

 

Sara Teevin – Deckhand

This is Sara’s fourth year with Sea Star.  Born and raised on the waters of the Pacific Northwest, Sara has always felt a deep love and connection with the ocean. She grew up boating with her family in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound learning about deck work and navigation. With her interest in marine life and the outdoors, Sara relishes her time working and exploring in Alaskan waters.