Roger Wallis – Skipper

Roger has been on and off boats all his life. For 20 years he operated fishing trawlers in Bass Strait (several of which he built himself). As well as owning fishing boats, he has owned numerous sailing vessels. ‘AUSTRALIS’ is the fourth ocean going cruising yacht that was purchased and fitted out especially for expedition support in polar and global operations.

He has sailed in several Sydney-Hobart yacht races and has cruised extensively around the World. He first sailed to the Antarctic continent as a relief skipper on a voyage to Commonwealth Bay in 1995. Since then he has sailed his own yachts on numerous voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, the Falklands and in the Chilean Channels around Patagonia. These trips have been in support of film crews, scientists, mountaineers, skiers, sea kayakers and wildlife enthusiasts. In 2002 he sailed single handed east from South Georgia to Cape Town in South Africa.

Past clients include the Australian Antarctic Division, BBC, mountain and ski guides from Australia, the USA and NZ, film crews from various countries, sea kayak expeditioners, commercial photographers, freedivers and dozens of individuals who have joined him for cruising trips.

Roger has spent 14 seasons traveling in the area from South America to Antarctica and South Georgia.

Qualifications-
Master Mariner Class V trading
Marine Engine Driver Grade II
Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate

Experience-
- Voyages to Antarctica – since 1997
- 4 crossings of the Southern Ocean, one in mid winter.
- 2 voyages in Greenland.
- 3 full length trips of the Atlantic, Ushuaia to Greenland, return.
- 5 South Pacific crossings.
- 6 full length trips of the Chilean Channels from Valdivia to Ushuaia.
- Cape Horn & the Beagle Chanel – since 1997
- Numerous trips to Diago Ramierez & Ill Defonso
- 1 South Atlantic crossing single-handed from South Georgia to Cape Town, South Africa.
- Numerous sailing trips from Victoria to Tasmania across Bass Strait.
- Commercial fisherman – skipper and crew in Bass Strait for 37 years.
- Built own fishing trawler & 2 yachts.
- 50 years as skipper & crew.

Ben Wallis – Skipper

Ben has been around or on boats since before he could walk. By the age of 16 he had sailed in the prestigious Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, sparking his interest in Southern Ocean sailing. In 1997 at age 18, Ben began sailing with his father as crew on yachts in Antarctica. Since then he has worked up to skippering both Ocean Expeditions yachts, 75-foot Australis and 52-foot Philos. He has worked alongside his father to develop the company, Ocean Expeditions, which now operates in both the Arctic & Antarctic Polar Regions. Ben spends roughly 8 months onboard the yachts running them as Skipper, and the rest of the year is spent running Ocean Expeditions logistics side of things.

Qualifications-
Master Class 5 Trading – (Pending).
Australian Yachting Federation Certificate of Competency, Safety & Sea Survival
NSW Maritime boat drivers licence
Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate
Surf Lifesaving Australia – Bronze Medallion – Training officer
SSI Open Water Divers certificate
FRC – Freediving
Senior First Aid

Experience-
- Voyages to Antarctica – since 1997
- 2 Sydney to Hobart Races
- 3 South Georgia trips
- 2 Voyages in Greenland
- 2 Voyages to Ross Sea
- 2 Macquarie Island
- 2 New Zealand Sub-Antarctic
- 1 full length trip of the Chilean Channels from Ushuaia to Valdivia.
- 3 Diago Ramierez & Ill Defonso
- Cape Horn & the Beagle Canal – since 1997
- 1 Darwin to Lakes Entrance – 2003
- 2 Sailing in Tahiti / Society Islands

Skye Marr-Whelan – Crew

Skye Marr-Whelan’s interest in Antarctica was sparked at 16, when she went on a Russian icebreaker to Heard Island and East Antarctica, getting a taste for sailing in the Southern Ocean. Skye has made 14 trips to the Antarctic Peninsula since 2005, in addition to trips to South Georgia, the Chilean Channels, North Scotland, Norway, and Greenland. Skye is as adept at navigating icebergs in the zodiac as she is in the kitchen cooking up delicious meals for the crew.

Skye has crewed on yachts in the Chilean Channels, Antarctica and the Caribbean, mainly working with her partner for Ocean Expeditions and has just finished her fourth season working on the Antarctic Peninsula on yacht Australis. When Skye is not working on boats, she enjoys returning home to Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia and planning her next adventure.

Qualifications-
STCW95- Standards of Training, Certification & Watch keeping for seafarers.
SSI Open Water Divers certificate

Experience-
- 20 plus, voyages to Antarctica – since 2005
- 4 South Georgia trips.
- 6 Chilean Channels trips
- 2 North Scotland trips – 2007
- 1 Norway fjords trip – 2007
- 2 Spitsbergen trips – 2007
- 2 Greenland trips – 2007
- 4 Russia Far East trips – 2008
- 2 Sailing in Tahiti / Society Islands

Daniel Wallis – Crew

Dano has also been around or on boats since before he could walk. By the age of 16 he was already a commercial professional crew member sailing on the Gippsland lakes. Whether its sailing them or building them Dano has a strong passion for boats which sines through in his nature. His boat building skills combined with his ability to fix almost anything, Dano proves to be a valuable set of hands onboard.

Qualifications-
Qualified boat builder
Australian Yachting Federation Certificate of Competency, Safety & Sea Survival
Open Coxwains – Workplace First Aid Level 2
Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate

Experience-
- Winery Boat – crew – Lakes Entrance
- Hobart to Sydney – crew
- 2 Antarctic Peninsula trips – 2003/07
- 1 South Georgia trip – 2005
- 8 Chilean Channels trips – including Cape Horn
- Darwin to Lakes Entrance – 2003
- Australia to New Zealand to French Polynesia to Cape Horn- 2004
- Sailing around Tahiti / Society Islands for 5 months- April – August 2004
- Tahiti to Cape Horn – 2004

All crew have gained vast experience in the ways of the sea.