Captain and The Crew

Meet the Crew

Eric Thor Olsen

Captain and Owner of the Midnight Sun

I was born in Seward in the Territory of Alaska. I grew up on the Kenai Peninsula living on the homestead my dad settled in the late 1940s. I fished with my dad through my teens and then independently along the Alaska coast from Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kodiak Island and out west to Bristol Bay.

I sat for my USCG Masters license in 1984 and captained my first passenger boat running a nature tour for Kenai Fjords Tours. I have been the Captain of many different vessels, taking visitors out along the rugged Alaska coast for 40 years.

Now, I have my own yacht that will fulfill a dream I have had for years. A dream that has grown out of a love of sharing my Alaska with thousands of visitors of all ages and nationalities: to spend my summers cruising the inland waters of Alaska; anchoring in a different bay or cove every night; watching the whales, coastal brown bears, and bald eagles, trying to capture their beauty in my photography. Fishing, setting crab and shrimp pots, and eating seafood just pulled from the ocean.

It doesn’t get any better than that! If you have any questions or want to book a cruise please contact me.

Cap@TrueNorthAlaskaCharters.com

Fair Winds, Calm Seas and the best of health and happiness to you.

Cap

Emma Petersen

Chef

I am a self trained chef. I grew up in a house hold of foodies from San Fransisco. My father is an excelent cook and worked for years in fine dining. I would say that I have a multicultural cooking background growing up in Hawaii and learned how to make many Japanese and Vietnamese dishes from friends and family on the island. Growing up in Hawaii also exposed me to all types of seafood and I can confidently cook fish that is moist and flakey, not over cooked, white wine and garlic clams, or scampi, or saffron and honey salmon, just to name a few. I like to make plates look beautiful as I believe presentation is very important.

I have traveled a bit and during my travels I had the great privilege to cook with both home cooks as well as chefs abroad. I spent time learning how to make pupusas in El Salvador, learned to can and preserve in Bulgaria with a friends ancient grandma, worked as a line cook in Honduras in trade for room and board, cooked octopus with another friends grandmother in greece (after way too many shots of a syrupy orange liquor she kept forcing on me). These are just a few of many food adventures. These interactions with lovely strangers were propelled by my curiosity and my sincere love of food. I also have lived in Mexico for 6 moths and love to prepare Latin dishes.

Emma

Gavin McGowan

Deckhand

Born and raised in Sitka, Alaska, I have spent much of my life exploring, studying, and working in the Southeast Alaskan wilderness and on its oceans. My deep appreciation for this region has shaped my education, career, and hobbies, and I take great pride in sharing this extraordinary place with visitors from around the world.

While in Alaska I have worked in the commercial fishing industry, served as a naturalist for marine tours, guided wilderness excursions, and taught marine safety courses, among other roles. In my leisure time, I enjoy mountain sports, hunting, fishing, camping, and freediving.

I also work with drones and enjoy flying them recreationally to capture wilderness and wildlife photography.

I have spent significant periods of my adult life living, working, and studying in various parts of the country and around the world, but the wild landscapes and close-knit community of Southeast Alaska always draw me back home between my adventures abroad.

Gavin

Naomi Stock

Steward

I am service and Purpose driven. Mixed with my deep rooted passion for adventure – I find fulfillment in every path I tread.

Most recently, I had the privilege of wearing many hats assisting a solo sailor on a three month trek throughout The Bahamas. Last year I went solo exploring through Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Year prior I embarked on an epic two month bike-packing journey. Dirt from Boise to Canada, pavement on my return – yes solo. It’s during these explorations, I feel most connected to my core.

Beyond my current pursuit, I’ve trained rogue dogs from Indian reservations to point of adoption, am the right hand gal for high net worth individuals, photographed and styled hotels/resort, almost won a reality show, and have had my pictures published worldwide. Each experience has shaped me in profound ways, fueling my thirst for new challenges and meaningful connections. Which is why I am here, aboard the glorious Midnight Sun.

Naomi