David Burton Home base: Shetland Islands, UK
David (Woody) Wood Home base: Melbourne, Australia
NEIL SIERENS Chief Pilot
Years of polar experience: 10 Polar expeditions to date: 90 Areas of expertise: History and glaciology Advice to polar travelers: “Head to the outer decks after dinner to take an evening constitutional. There’s no better place than the Polar Regions to take some time and reflect on the serene beauty you’ve witnessed that day, as well as contemplate the life-changing moments you’re experiencing. You never know what you might catch sight of— the majesty of the northern lights or a sighting of some wildlife!”
Years of polar experience: 20 Polar expeditions to date: 300
Areas of expertise: Woody has developed in-depth knowledge of numerous aspects of polar wilderness throughout two decades of polar expedition. Advice to polar travelers: “Polar voyages touch people in different ways. The polar environment has a power which sets people thinking about their place in our world. Get prepared with gear and have the time of your life! Travel with eyes wide open, with no fixed ideas and be open to the beauty, wonder, tranquility and fury of the polar environment."
Home base: Fairoaks, UK Years of helicopter experience: 19 Polar expeditions to date: 10 Areas of expertise: Helicopter operations around the globe; specialist in the safe transport of passengers to and from vessels. On embracing helicopter adventures in the Polar Regions: “The view from above is like no other, but the helicopter flight provides more than just an elevated viewpoint. The landing sites we choose can only be accessed by helicopter. So, along with the great views, you can experience the thrill of possibly being the first person to have ever set foot in that area.” Our helicopter team: “Delivering an amazing helicopter experience involves a lot of highly-trained people. It’s similar to a motor racing team which entails numerous experts working behind the scenes to ensure the process goes smoothly and safely. We are very selective in the pilots we hire to fly in the Polar Regions—and we’re incredibly proud of our entire team. Guests are in very safe hands.” Advice to Polar Travelers: “Clearly you will want to take photos during your helicopter flight, but the lens cannot capture it all. Put down your camera occasionally and just look around. Secondly, on most flights you will be able to chat to the pilot. If you’ve got a question, there’s a strong likelihood your fellow guests are also keen to hear the answer. If you don’t get around to asking during the flight, you can always ask later when back on board Ultramarine .”
Ryan McDevitt Home base: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA Years of polar experience: 7 Polar expeditions to date: 75 Areas of expertise: Operations, logistics and helicopter operations Advice to polar travelers: "Exploring these wild regions is a full sensory experience. Take time to breathe in deeply and absorb the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the Polar Regions. If you pack one thing for your expedition, make it a good set of binoculars and spend time using them on the outer decks."
Shane Evoy Home base: Pointe au Baril, Ontario, Canada Years of polar experience: 26 Polar expeditions to date: 250 What guests are apt to learn on a polar voyage: “I hope guests will learn a lot about the areas we go into so they can protect what they love. There’s a quote from environmentalist Baba Dioum that I live by when I’m on an expedition: ‘In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.’" Advice to polar travelers: “Sit, look, listen, and feel what is around you and take it all in.”
Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries 9
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