Astrid

We have been really busy this past week in West End, Tortola getting everything ready for the shipmates' arrival. It has been a great meeting and getting to know all the other AQ staff members. We have grown close as a tight-knit team, and we are all stoked for the summer that lies ahead. We picked up Astrid a few days ago from Road Town and have since been sailing on her a few times, which was exciting. The sun has been shining, a breeze blowing, and adventure is waiting in every bay and on every beach! The decks are now clean, the bunks are made, the salon is tidy, hammocks are on board, and food is in the fridge- all we need now is 12 awesome shipmates to complete Astrid. We can't wait to welcome the shipmates onto the docks in the BVI and to go sailing and scuba diving with them. We know it's going to be a great session!

Here is an introduction to the crew of Astrid:

Jack- skipper

Jack was born in the UK but moved shortly afterward to be raised on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, where his love for the ocean was born. After endless days in and around the sea, and ten years in Antigua, Jack moved back to the UK where he studied until the age of 18. After traveling and four years as a successful chef, he decided it was time to rekindle his relationship with the ocean and hasn't looked back since. Having gained qualifications up to Yachtmaster Ocean and over 25000 nm on charter vessels, work vessels, and deliveries, Jack has seen many aspects of the profession and had the benefit of gaining knowledge from captains at the top of their game. Outgoing, fun, and professional, Jack is looking forward to returning to the BVIs for what promises to be a great summer.

Pippa- dive instructor/mate

Pippa is a gap year student from England who discovered ActionQuest in 2010 as a shipmate on the Dolphin voyage. She is an avid scuba diver who was first certified at age 10 and is now a professional Scuba Instructor with teaching experience gained in the Gili islands, Indonesia, and Mauritius. This September Pippa will be following her passion for the ocean by studying marine biology and oceanography at Newcastle University, UK. If she is not under the water, you will find her on top of the water in a rowing boat. Pippa is a member of the GB Rowing World Class Start Programme and hopes to one day represent her country at an international regatta.

Sam- EMT/mate

Sam has attended several ActionQuest programs as a shipmate and began working for AQ as an EMT/Mate in 2011. Sam grew up all over the world, spending the majority of her time in Doha, Qatar. After graduating high school in Qatar, she attended Boston University where she obtained a degree in psychology with a minor in Arabic. She's been working as an EMT since 2010 and is looking forward to attending Paramedic school in January of 2014. Sam has a variety of interests, including medicine, sports, languages, and teaching. At the moment, Sam plans to pursue a career as a medical doctor while continuing to expand her knowledge of sailing, scuba diving, and other aquatic sports.