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 100-year-old steam vessel Virginia V, a historic 125-foot wooden steamship built in 1922. Recognized as both a Seattle and National Historic Landmark, the Steamship Virginia V, owned and operated by the Steamer Virgina V Foundation, 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 has also skippered the Fishing Vessel (F/V) North American, a 110-foot Marco-built vessel featured on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch.

Captain Erik 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 – Deckhand, Stewardess & Ships Provisioner

Sara has been part of North Pacific Expeditions since its founding in 2016, giving her a unique perspective on the company’s growth from a small startup to the successful operation it is today, leading expeditions throughout Southc

entral and Southeast Alaska.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she grew up boating in the waters of the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, and the Canadian waters of British Columbia, where she developed a strong foundation in vessel operations, including all aspects of deck work and navigation, along with a lasting connection to the water.

Outside of her work on the water aboard Sea Star, Sara has a strong interest in exploration and travel. She often spends her time driving across the country in her truck, seeking out new places and experiences. Whether at sea or on land, she is motivated by a curiosity to explore and a commitment to gaining a deeper understanding of the environments in which she works and travels.

Meredith Roberts – Naturalist, Kayak Guide, Stewardess, & Deckhand  

This will be Meredith’s third season with North Pacific Expeditions. Meredith brings a deep passion for life on the water and a strong connection to Alaska’s wild landscapes. Originally from Pennsylvania, she followed her adventurous spirit in 2019, driving cross-country to Valdez for a sea kayaking internship. What began as a seasonal opportunity quickly became a life-changing journey—she fell in love with the “Last Frontier” and chose to make it her home.

Over the past several years, Meredith has built extensive experience in Alaska’s tourism industry, developing her skills in both guest service and expedition guiding. She is thrilled to return aboard the Sea Star as Stewardess, Dechhand and Sea Kayak Guide, where she combines her enthusiasm for hospitality with her love of sharing Alaska’s breathtaking environment with guests.

Meredith is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University. She is also actively working toward earning her U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master Mariner Credential, continuing to advance her professional capabilities on the water.

It is a great pleasure to have Meredith as part of the North Pacific Expeditions team.

Joey Rivera – Chef 

Now in his second season with North Pacific Expeditions, Chef Joey Rivera brings exceptional creativity, passion, and refined culinary talent to the Sea Star. Known for crafting elegant, flavor-forward cuisine, Joey consistently delivers memorable dining experiences—transforming each meal into a highlight of the journey, no matter the setting of the galley at sea.

Raised in the San Diego, California area, Joey discovered his love for cooking at a remarkably young age. He spent countless hours in his family’s kitchen, experimenting with flavors and techniques, driven by a natural curiosity and enthusiasm for the culinary arts. Determined to pursue his passion, Joey went to extraordinary lengths—before even reaching driving age, he regularly took the bus to a well-known restaurant in a neighboring town, persistently asking for an opportunity to learn.

After being turned away time and again, his determination ultimately paid off. Recognizing Joey’s unwavering commitment, the restaurant’s owner finally offered him a chance—marking the beginning of what would become a successful and dedicated culinary career.

Today, Joey brings that same drive and passion aboard the Sea Star, where he delights guests with thoughtfully prepared dishes that balance creativity, refinement, and bold, satisfying flavors. His commitment to excellence and genuine love for his craft are evident in every plate he serves.

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