The Picton Castle Crew
Meet the Picton Castle Crew
for the Voyage of the Atlantic, 2008-2009
Daniel Moreland- Master
Mike Moreland- Chief Mate
Home town: Portland, OR, USA
Age: 24What I was doing before I joined the ship: Sailing Europe/Africa aboard Amistad, skiing in Oregon
Why I joined Picton Castle: To gain experience as a mate
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Sailing a square rigger in the North Sea and Baltic Sea
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Family and fresh snow
- Paul Bracken
- Second Mate
- Lynsey Rebbetoy
- Purser
Christian Barmettler- Chief Engineer
Nate Averna- Assistant Engineer
Donald "Duck" Church- Chief Cook
Home town: St. George's, Grenada
What I was doing before I joined the ship: I was minding my business enjoying the hot, hot sunshine when I was kidnapped by a hungry crew
Why I joined Picton Castle: They had me at hello
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Marlinspikes, wearing many warm layers, mail call, calypso costume
What I'll miss most while I'm away: I'll miss the Knot for not being there, my son and daughter, my warm cabin, my awesome friends in Grenada and Lunenburg
Anything else to add: "Be happy at all times and the meal will be wonderful to others." And Julie and Erin will miss my cooking so, so, so much!
David Leask- Sailmaker
Home town: Shetland Isles, UK
Age: 44
What I was doing before I joined the ship: Farmer and greens keeper, restorative justice and mediation volunteer
Why I joined Picton Castle: To freshen things up
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Getting to know crew, sailmaking, change of lifestyle
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Family, friends, dogs
Kolin S. Murray- Bosun
Home town: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Age: 29
What I was doing before I joined the ship: Studying philosophy, oilfield trucking, hiking the Rockies
Why I joined Picton Castle: To become a seafarer, to work in a challenging environment; to hand, reef and steer
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: To make safe passages under sail. To learn a trade. To learn from peers and mentors. To teach those new to square rig sailing and to strive toward the level of zen warrior-seafarer.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Sour soothers, driving semis, salt and vinegar chips, my friends and family in Alberta
Anything else to add: I love deckwash, overhauling buntlines, bracing, coiling down and hoisting upper tops'ls. My favourite heads'l is the inner jib.
Kjetil Dimmen "The Nefarious Herr Doktor Professor von Shacklestein, Esq."- Deckhand
Home town: Stavanger, Norway
Age: Peter Pan ageless
What I was doing before I joined the ship: Most recent: mad scientist working at an undisclosed location. Also a fire and safety specialist and cabbie extraordinaire.
Why I joined Picton Castle: The witness protection program was full
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Marlinspikes and attire, long walks on the beach/breezeways, sharing a bunk with Chibley, any excuse to play in tar
What I'll miss most while I'm away: I will be pining for fjords, Julie-Mom's cooking, the Cook Islands curling team, double bubble bubble gum
Ben Rogers- Deckhand
Home town: Kansas City, Kansas, USA
Age: 24
What I was doing before I joined the ship: Wallowing in a quagmire of shadow and blisters and tooth gnashing
Why I joined Picton Castle: To grow as a mariner, to make a new knife lanyard
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Guinness in Ireland, seeing if everyone else in Norway is like Shackle, cake walking
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Football, barbeque, family and friends, curling
Nadja Nitschke- Deckhand
Sarah Gross- Deckhand
Home town: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Age: 25What I was doing before I joined the ship: University grad (UMN), crew aboard research vessel Robert C. Seamens and the proud schooner Alabama, winter work for Picton Castle
Why I joined Picton Castle: From the moment I stepped onto the PC at a tall ship event, I fell in love with the voyage, the barque and the crew. Immediately I thought "how can I become part of this ship?"
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Learning from a ship that functions at a high level of seamanship... even on land.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: All you really need is good food and good company. Well, maybe I'll miss the pine tree shores of Half Moon Lake.
Anything else to add: Thank you to the Minnesota Womens Sailing Team for your sponsorship and support. Thanks Pops for that knife you gave me for my 3-day this last year. Love you.
Ryan Doll- Deckhand
David Bellows- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Brunswick, Maine, USA
Age: 63What I was doing before I joined the ship: Working
Why I joined Picton Castle: I have wanted to make a long voyage in a sailing ship since I was about 12 years old. Now I finally have my chance. After much research and trying out several ships I chose the Picton Castle as the best ship, captain, crew and learning experience.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Learning how to put together and sail a square-rigged ship, visiting interesting ports like the Aland Islands, Bergen, the Cape Verdes and Fernando de Noronha.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My wife
Anything else to add: I enjoy the sailing, visiting interesting ports and relationships with shipmates
Sam Bracken- Trainee, Leg 2, Leg 3
- Marie Breiner
- Trainee, Leg 2
Corey Clamp- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia, Canada (Sluice Point!)
Age: 29What I was doing before I joined the ship: Besides working for the Canadian foreign service, I was exploring the mysteries of love and life by way of years of self-experimentation
Why I joined Picton Castle: Besides wanting to learn more about life at sea and how to sail in an old timey way, I joined the PC because it's about as far away from a desk job as a person can get.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Waking up in a new place every day, knowing that I'm part of the crew that actually brought us there and eventually becoming a seaman as salty as my cousin Mike
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Friends and family are forever so I won't really "miss" them... After all, nothing's better than a warm welcome after having been away. But if I have to list something, I'll say cheap takeout, Sunday night Simpsons and all that comes with it.
Anything else to add: "May the ability to communicate and to face facts and yet to dream new dreams and to imagine fuller lives give us the sweet strength we need." -B. Powe
Bruce Cleland- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Age: 61What I was doing before I joined the ship: Business Continuity Management for the Harris Bank in Chicago
Why I joined Picton Castle: To learn the skills associated with square-rigged sailing and use those skills to sail extensively to a variety of ports of call
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Long trade wind passages in tropical waters with full sail set
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Family, friends and former business associates
Anything else to add: This voyage is one of the most authentic ways to participate in an experience uniquely separate from our modern age.
Erin Clements- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Halifax, NS, Canada
Age: 36What I was doing before I joined the ship: I have been a practicing physiotherapist for the past six years
Why I joined Picton Castle: I joined the Picton Castle to make a life change and to find joy
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: I'm looking forward to taking in as much of the experience as possible, from learning all I can about sailing to interacting with new people to seeing new places.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: I'll miss my family, friends, my cat and some creature comforts that I've gotten too used to.
Geoff Dickgieser- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Seattle, WA, USA
Age: 31What I was doing before I joined the ship: I was an engineer at Boeing by day, and spent my nights chasing good times and... well, more good times.
Why I joined Picton Castle: Because it's the most incredible thing I've ever heard of. Sailing a square rigger across the ocean! Nothing else even compares!
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: I don't have any particular expectations, but I expect I'll make some good friends, see some incredible things and learn some rare skills.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: All the good times and great people back home.
Anything else to add: I'm honoured to be a part of this crew, after only a couple weeks I have a feeling this is going to be a very good year.
John Gareri- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Westboro, Massachusetts, USA
Age: 45What I was doing before I joined the ship: I worked many years in the computer industry teaching, selling and supporting computers and storage networking equipment
Why I joined Picton Castle: To fulfill a life long dream to sail around the world. To travel to new places and meet new and exciting people. To have an adventure.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: The challenges of living and working on a ship. Crossing the North Atlantic under square sail, an experience hardly anyone gets to do.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My family, friends and my two cats
Anything else to add: I am so excited to be part of such a historic trip. No one has ever sailed this ship across the North Atlantic. The first 3/4 of the voyage we get to be the first people to sail her to places she has never sailed to before.
- Eric Gee
- Trainee, Leg 1
Home town: Toronto, Canada
Age: 29What I was doing before I joined the ship: Studying at U of T, working as a graphic designer
Why I joined Picton Castle: I felt like I was in a rut. I needed some adventure in my life.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Pushing my limits and seeing what I'm capable of.
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Mom, Dad, Newton, Slater, Alison, Eric, Tarin, Slater, Lizette and the rest of my friends
Bill Hayes- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Southport, NC, USAWhat I was doing before I joined the ship: Retired, camping, fishing, grandchildren
Why I joined Picton Castle: Once a sailor always a sailor - had to sail a square rigger one more time.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Working with young sailors and good liberty ports
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My wife, daughters, grandchildren and dog Lucy
Anything else to add: USCGA Class '60 is still sailing
Kevin Jepson- Trainee, Leg 3 and Leg 4
Home town: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Age: 49-50What I was doing before I joined the ship: Computer consultant, 4K Consulting Inc.
Why I joined Picton Castle: Number 1 on my "Top 10 things to do before I die" list
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Actually working on a square rigger
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My wife Jayne, my daughters Biz and Lex, my son Alastair, constant internet access
Anything else to add: A beautiful ship, a fine crew and a great adventure to come!
Mary Joyce- Trainee, Leg 1, Leg 2 and Leg 3
Home town: St. Louis, MO, USA
Age: 52What I was doing before I joined the ship: Working to save money and prepare; being thankful for the wonderful life I've had and the people who've made me who I am
Why I joined Picton Castle: Adventure, personal challenge, meet new people, learn new skills and increase my value in the global marketplace
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Seeing the stars from the middle of the ocean, sunny beaches and new experiences
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My son Eyan, family, friends, doing what I want to when I want and "things"
Anything else to add: My dad told me "to be universally interesting, be universally interested," there's so much out here to see and do and I want to do it all!
Matt McGraw- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Age: 29What I was doing before I joined the ship: Framing houses
Why I joined Picton Castle: For a change in pace, travel, learn new things, I want to have stories to tell my grandkids some day
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Learning marine and ships carpentry
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Clean underwear
Spenser Norrish- Trainee, Leg 1
Home town: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Age: 23What I was doing before I joined the ship: Finishing school at Simon Fraser University
Why I joined Picton Castle: The experience fascinated me and gave me something to aspire towards
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Everything except the end
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Sleeping in until 2:00pm
Anything else to add: 1+1=2
Susie Ordway- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Montpelier, Vermont, USA
Age: 22What I was doing before I joined the ship: I was living in Burlington, Vermont studying latin dance and working as a chocolate factory tour guide.
Why I joined Picton Castle: After a brief flirtation with university I decided that sailing on a tall ship would be infinitely cooler.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Rust busting
What I'll miss most while I'm away: I'm going to miss my dog Clapke and Magic Hat Brewery. I'll also miss driving my car and watching the West Wing. I'll certainly miss Johnny who let me cheat at Scrabble.
Gary Samson- Medical Officer
Home town: Arichat, Nova Scotia, Canada
Age: 53What I was doing before I joined the ship: Retired dentist
Why I joined Picton Castle: Have always dreamed of sailing on a square rigger as my forefathers did over 100 years ago. Having volunteered as a health professional in third world countries I look upon this as another challenging adventure
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Adventure in visiting over 20 countries over the year and challenging myself in doing my part in helping sail the ship
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My wife and family
Anything else to add: I am amazed at the camaraderie we are already developing among trainees and crew. The entire group is developing pride in the ship and want to sail and show her off around the entire Atlantic coast that we will be visiting.
WT Simmons- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Smithville, Ontario, Canada
Age: 57What I was doing before I joined the ship: Steel worker retired
Why I joined Picton Castle: Learning the way of the ship
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Making new friends and visiting new places
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My children and grandchildren
Luke Skrzypek- Trainee, Leg 1
Home town: Freemantle, Western Australia
Age: 24What I was doing before I joined the ship: Polywelder making plastic boats and ducting for underground mines and roto-molding
Why I joined Picton Castle: To learn more about sailing and to further a career in boating
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Not seeing land for weeks on end
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Land, pub
Anything else to add: Beakz up!
Cody Sletten- Trainee, Leg 2
- Nicola Stewart
- Trainee, full voyage
Home town: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 29What I was doing before I joined the ship: My "job" was at a jewellery supply store but my whole real life has been spent finding different ways to express myself through my work. Hair stylist, make up artist, jewellery maker and more were how I 've spent my last couple of decades.
Why I joined Picton Castle: I joined the PC for the simple reason that I wanted to do something that was completely different for me and that would help me learn more about who I am at this point in my life.
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Besides the chance to see the world in a way most people will never experience, I'm genuinely looking forward to learning a whole new set of skills that I otherwise would likely never have gotten to. Furl a sail? Make a ditty bag? Grease up the royal? Ya, I'll be able to do all that!
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Friends and family are the easy answers to this question. What else though... Olympia's on Denman. Movies on a Sunday night. Rollerskating along the sea wall on my purple on purple rollerskates (the real kind, not rollerblades!).
Anything else to add: "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tim Stiefler- Trainee, Leg 1
Home town: San Diego, CA, USA
Age: 19What I was doing before I joined the ship: I was doing a lot of things, I graduated from my freshman year at Trinity College
Why I joined Picton Castle: I joined to get away from capitalism
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Tying knots, pulling lines, sleeping in a comfy bunk, Donald's cooking, staying up late and then waking up early for watches, going aloft, meeting new people, seeing new places, legally being able to drink
What I'll miss most while I'm away: Family, friends, sleeping in, American cheeseburgers from In and Out, the internet (facebook)
Gunner Stone- Trainee, Leg 2, Leg 3 and Leg 4
Deb Vos- Trainee, Leg 2, Leg 3 and Leg 4
Peter Walters- Trainee, Leg 1
Home town: Concord, MA, USA
Age: 19What I was doing before I joined the ship: Studying philosophy and wasting time at Trinity College in Hartford, CT
Why I joined Picton Castle: Friendship, travel, adventure and escape
What I'm looking forward to most on the voyage: Being out of my comfort zone and seeing water on every side of me for miles
What I'll miss most while I'm away: My family, a gorgeous golden retriever, a wifey and clean clothes
Jackie Yeoman- Trainee, full voyage
Sound Like a Great Learning Adventure?
Why not learn more about becoming a sail trainee, apply for one of our upcoming trips or our next world voyage!
Just Want to Know More About the Voyage?
Read the Captain's Log and the Crew Journals to learn about the experiences, the people met along a the way and get a different perspective of the world. You can also see where we've been, who we've met and what we do along with many other great images in the Photo Galleries.
Come Sail With Us
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World Voyage 5
Step aboard for an epic journey around the world as Picton Castle circumnavigates the globe under sail for a fifth time.
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From the Voyages
