Roger Wallis & crew

Roger Wallis - Skipper

Roger has been in and out of boats all his life. For the past 20 years he has operated a fishing trawler in Bass Strait (which he built the trawler himself). As well as owning fishing boats, he has owned numerous sailing vessels, 'AUSTRALIS' is the fourth ocean going cruising yacht that has been specially purchased and fitted out for expedition support for polar and global operations.

He has sailed in numerous Sydney-Hobart yacht races and has cruised extensively around the World. He first sailed to the Antarctic continent as 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, mountain and ski guides from Australia, the USA and NZ, film crews from various countries, sea kayak expeditioners, commercial photographers and dozens of individuals who have joined him for cruising trips.

Roger's adult sons Ben and Daniel regularly work with him both behind the scenes and on voyages.

Roger has spent 10 seasons traveling the area from South America to Antarctica and South Georgia.

 

  • 14 voyages to Antarctica.
  • 2 crossings of the Southern Ocean, one in mid winter.
  • 2 Pacific crossings.
  • 5 full length trips of the Chilean Channels from Valdivia to Ushuaia.
  • Numerous trips to Cape Horn & the Beagle Canal.
  • 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.
  • 44 years as skipper & crew.

 

 

Ben Wallis - Skipper

29 years old

Qualifications-
Master Class 5 Trading – (Pending).
Australian Yachting Federation Certificate of Competency, Safety & Sea Survival
NSW Maritime boat drivers licence
SSI Open Water Divers certificate

Experience-
2 Sydney to Hobart Races
9 Antarctic Peninsula trips - 1997 - 2007
1 South Georgia trip- 2005
5 Chilean Channels trips - including Diago Ramierez, Ill Defonso, Cape Horn
Darwin to Sydney
Sailing in Tahiti / Society Islands - 2 trips

Crew

Daniel Wallis - Crew

25 years old

Qualifications-
Australian Yachting Federation Certificate of Competency, Safety and Sea Survival
Open Coxwains - Workplace First Aid Level 2 and Radio Operators Certificate
Boat building apprenticing

Experience-
Winery Boat – crew - Lakes Entrance
Hobart to Sydney - crew
2 Antarctic Peninsula trip - 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.

©2005 Ocean Expeditions