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
Isabelle Richard
Chef
Embarking on journeys across the globe at a young age, has been the cornerstone of my life’s adventures. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, as a French Canadian, I learned English in the first grade. Shortly there after I discovered the sunshine and the ocean on a vacation to Florida. That was a life altering experience. I returned to Sarasota to attend College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. Its was during those 6 years in Florida that I caught the sailing oceans bug. I was invited by a college friend to join a small group hired as crew for boat deliveries all
over the Western Hemisphere. I had never felt so in my own element and deeply connected to nature. This initial adventure humbled me. To cook in 20 foot waves and pouring rain, below deck under the worst of conditions for days and nights on end, quickly taught me to be resilient and adaptable often changing menus on the fly.
Fueled by these early experiences, would not take long for my sailing career to expand.
Over the years, I found myself navigating the seas as a first mate and crew, provisioning and creating menus to serve more and more guests. Preparing and serving delicious cuisine in a celebratory setting is a wonderful way to bond, connect with others.
Driven by an innate artistic nature, crafting exquisite dining experiences, I approach each endeavor with a commitment to excellence and a reverence for the creative process in the hopes of exceeding our guests expectations. Extending my hospitality and sharing my gifts with others with humility and discretion, has been an honor and privilege, both at sea and most recently, in private aviation. Being of service to others and making a difference is what it is all about for me.
Isabelle
Jesse Ballard
Deckhand
Jesse always felt at home in the wilderness. He remembers vividly his first camping trip with dad as a young boy. Fortunately for him, he has been able to come back full circle to a life he can enjoy, working on an Alaskan adventure charter.
A cool jack of all trades, he’s rarely shy about lifting up his sleeves and going for it. He has a passion for making those around him comfortable and his curious, engaging and adventurous spirit are what continue to keep him popping out of bed every day and stoked to do something memorable.
Jess
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
