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.

First Mate and Naturalist Tracy on Sea Star Foredeck

Captain Tracy’s earliest memories include riding the waves on southern California beaches. Loving all things in, on or around the water, Tracy learned to sail and then race sailboats with the University of Washington Navy Sailing team. She then joined the U.S. Navy to become a Surface Warfare Officer, qualifying as an Officer of the Deck to operate larger ships in oceans around the world.  Tracy served for eight years in the Navy, traveling extensively, broadening her skills and always increasing her love for the sea. She finally returned to Seattle after a 15 year absence and is thrilled to be back to sailing the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Drawing on her varied career, skills and experiences aboard the yacht Sea Star, Tracy also serves as the Naturalist/Guide.  She also participates in the engine room performing preventive and operational maintenance.  Tracy is a qualified Wilderness First Responder and has two Masters degrees. She has recently completed training at the Northwest Wine Academy and is also an Alaska Certified Expert. Tracy is thrilled to have the chance to share her knowledge, passion for Alaska, and love of the water with Sea Star’s guests.

Tracy also volunteers as a crew member onboard the Steamship Virginia V and is an avid kayaker, rower, paddler, diver and swimmer. She currently holds a US Coast Guard 100-ton Master, 200-ton Mate Merchant Mariner Credential (license) and is a certified NOLS Wilderness First Responder.

Steve Carter – Chef

Steve’s varied background has brought him across the globe during his time in the Army and his culinary career. Originally from north Idaho, Steve’s hometown environment immersed him in the outdoors. Rugged mountains, deep lakes and flowing rivers were all within walking distance, as well as time in the kitchen with his grandparents. Every fall the freezer was packed with deer and elk meat, and during the summer smoked trout and huckleberries were regularly included on the dinner table as well as fresh vegetables from his grandfather’s garden.

Following high school Steve attended the University of Idaho for civil engineering where upon completion he served in the US Army for five years. Steve spent most of his military career either stationed in Germany, where he often explored other parts of Europe or in Iraq leading soldiers throughout the Baghdad area. The diverse cultures of these places gave Steve a further appreciation for food that he would carry throughout his culinary career.

After completing his military service Steve decided to pursue his passion for food and travel and attended the Art Institute of Seattle where he completed his culinary arts degree and began a career that has taken him across the US. In his ten years of professional cooking Steve has worked in some diverse locations including cruise ships, billion-dollar ski resorts, luxurious oceanfront hotels, private catering and even a commercial fishing vessel on the Bering Sea.

Outside of the summer season in Alaska Steve can be found hunting in the mountains of north Idaho, preparing meals aboard scuba dive vessels in the Caribbean or catering banquets in more remote winter locations.

Sara Teevin – Deckhand

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.