MEET OUR TEAM
We gratefully acknowledge that we operate within the traditional territory of the ts'msyen people
FRANCOIS "FRANK" BLANCHET, CAPTAIN
Since moving to British Columbia at age 19, Frank has driven snowcats, worked as a steelhead and flyfishing guide, charter fishermen, mushroom forager, and caterer for tourist lodges throughout Northern BC. Also serving in the Canadian Rangers, a remote reserve for the Armed Forces, Frank is a self-described constant adventurer between the ocean, river and mountains of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Transport Canada Certifications: Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), Marine Emergency Duties (MED3), Restricted Radio Operator Certificate (ROC-M), Marine Basic First Aid
CHELSEY ELLIS, CO-OWNER + FIRST MATE
Born-and-raised on PEI in a lobster fishing family, Chelsey has over 15 years experience as as a commercial fishing deckhand, biologist, and industry representative. With her biology degree, she has worked on the water on both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts in Canada and the United States. Click here to read more about what her mother-in-law calls her 'potpourri of professional endeavours'.
Transport Canada Certifications: Marine Advanced First Aid, Navigation Safety, Simulated Electronic Navigation, Proficiency in Survival Craft, Basic Safety Training, Advanced Firefighting, Marine Commercial Radio Operator
BLAIR MIRAU, CO-OWNER + DoCKHAND
Born-and-raised in Prince Rupert, Blair has never been far from the North Pacific Ocean. After serving two terms on his hometown City Council, he published the City of Rainbows, a history of the Prince Rupert area. Son and grandson to seine fisherman and now married to a former commercial fisher, Blair agrees with his dad's cliche that "the sea is in everybody's blood".
Transport Canada Certifications: Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety
Karina dracott, relief captain
Born in Portland, Oregon, Karina moved to Prince Rupert in 2017 with a wealth of maritime fieldwork from Scandinavia to South Africa to Uruguay. She now serves as Senior North Coast specialist, Whales Initiative with Oceanwise, a global marine conservation organization. Karina also holds a Master's Degree in Coastal and Marine Management from the University of Westfjords in Iceland. In her "spare" time, she is an avid volunteer with the Marine Search and Rescue, Backcountry and North Coast Ecology Centre societies.
Transport Canada Certifications: Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), Marine Emergency Duties (MED3), Restricted Radio Operator Certificate (ROC-M), Marine Basic First Aid, Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator