Our Crew for our Alaska Wildlife Cruises aboard Discovery

Captain John Swanson - Licensed Captain - STCW - First Aid & CPR

Shortly after receiving a degree from the University of Puget Sound in economics and accounting in 1975. I decided the world had much more to offer than ivory towers and three piece suits, so I began working in the maritime industry.

At first I owned and operated a charter fishing vessel off the Washington coast, then decided to try my hand at fishing. After enduring the hardships of fishing for a few years, I decided I needed to make a change. Though I loved working in Alaska, I did not love being away from my family for months at a time.

So in 1981, with my wife Ellen and son Ben at my side, we began conducting natural history and Alaska wildlife cruises in Southeast Alaska. I wanted to share my amazement at the grandeur of this vast wilderness region, my love for its great natural beauty, and my respect and affection for its abundant wildlife.

Our first Alaska wildlife cruises were on the Norden , the Sobre Los Olas and the Sea Play. In 1999 along with my son Ben we acquired a new vessel the Discovery to continue our Alaska wildlife cruises.

The past 27 years have been the happiest time of our lives. We have accumulated a wealth of memories, both of wonderful people met and new friends made along the way, and of incredible wildlife experiences such as our friendly Humpback Whale who sometimes swims along side within touching distance.

So it is with both pleasure and pride that we continue to offer these Alaska wildlife cruises. Pleasure because they are as much fun for us as they are for our passengers. Pride because the unforgettable nature of these trips is evident in the fact that fully 50% or more of our bookings are repeat passengers.

If your imagination is captured by the thought of seeing areas of Alaska where few others have been, incidentally, I am one of only two guides permitted to visit both of Southeast Alaska's two Bear Observatories, ( Anan and Pack Creek ), then we hope you will decide to take a cruise with us. We would be delighted to share our great Alaskan wilderness with you.

Captain John Swanson & Family

Captain John "Ben" Swanson - Licensed Captain- STCW- First Aid & CPR.

My partner and son has been captaining the Discovery since 1999. After growing up on boats in the Pacific Northwest and spending most of his youth living on boats and crewing on our boats in Alaska. He is a gem as a captain and does a fantastic job as the Captain of the Discovery. He usually adds Ford's Terror among many other beautiful out of the way places to his trips. Married with three little boys anxious to carry on. One is always surprised when their son chooses to follow them, but these trips had such a profound impact on his life he would like to share the experience with his sons too.

Thaddeus Charles Hickey - First Mate

( Uncle Ted to Ben my brother in law and partner as well ) Teddy is mister reliable. He is an excellent First Mate and does a fantastic job leading shore excursions as well as making sure all the boats systems are functioning properly. He is always there to lend a hand or a steady shoulder when getting into the kayaks or skiffs. He is eager to assist when setting crab and shrimp pots and when fishing.

Susi Zimmerman ( Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie )

Crew- Chef's helper - Always a genuine smile and a helping hand she does a fantastic job making sure the little things are in place. Her deserts are to die for like her Pavlova and Sticky Date Pudding.

Chef Brian Lewis

Does a fantastic job in the galley making sure we all have a full stomach. In this little galley he'll prepare some absolute five star meals with a smile and a good sense of humor.

Email allaboard@alaskacharters.com

For More information on our Alaska Wildlife Cruises please contact:

All Aboard Yacht Charters, P.O. Box 436, Union, WA 98592 Phone: 1-800-767-1024

Copyright ©1997-2004 John Swanson - Alaska Wildlife Cruises aboard Discovery