BEN WALLIS
Owner / Skipper
In 1997 at age 18, Ben began sailing with his father as crew on yachts in Antarctica. Since then he has worked up to skippering 75-foot Australis. He worked alongside his father to develop the company, Ocean Expeditions, which Ben now solely operates solely in both the Arctic and Antarctic Polar Regions.
Ben spends roughly eight months onboard the yacht as skipper and the rest of the year is spent running Ocean Expeditions logistics side of things.
AYF – Australian Yachting Federation Offshore Safety & Sea Survival
RYA/ISAF – Royal Yachting Association Offshore Safety Certificate
RYA – Royal Yachting Association Diesel Engine Certificate
RYA/MCA – Royal Yachting Association Small Craft Sea Survival Certificate
MCA – Maritime Coastguard Agency ML5 medical
NSW Maritime boat drivers licence
Australian Communications Authority – Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate
Surf Lifesaving Australia – Bronze Medallion – Training officer
SSI Open Water Divers certificate
FRC – Freediving
St Johns – Apply First Aid
– Voyages to South Georgia – since 2000
– 2 Sydney to Hobart Races
– Voyages in Greenland – since 2008
– Voyages in Canada – since 2008
– 2 Voyages to Ross Sea
– 2 Macquarie Island
– 2 New Zealand Sub-Antarctic
– Full length trip of the Chilean Channels from Ushuaia to Valdivia.
– Diego Ramirez & Ildefonso Islands – since 2000
– Cape Horn & the Beagle Canal – since 1997
– Darwin – Northern Australia to Lakes Entrance – Victoria – 2003
– Sailing in Tahiti / Society Islands
MAGNUS O’GRADY
Crew / Skipper
Magnus has lived on and off boats for his entire life, spending most of his time in high latitudes and around the rugged coast of New Zealand. He first sailed south with his father at the age of thirteen where they cruised extensively through South Georgia, Antarctica and the Chilean fjords. Then later headed north to Canada – Newfoundland, Labrador. Since late 2007 he has worked on several charter vessels operating in the Antarctic and sub-antartic areas.
His navigational experience and wealth of knowledge exceeds his years. Combined with his ability to fix almost anything Magnus is an invaluable set of hands to have around.
New Zealand Radio Operator’s Certificate
Maritime New Zealand – First Aid Certificate
Maritime New Zealand – Personal safety & social responsibilities
Maritime New Zealand – Personal survival techniques
Maritime New Zealand – STCW
Working towards a masters degree in the southern ocean school of hard knocks Certificate.
– Voyages to South Georgia – since 2002
– Voyages in Eastern Canadian Arctic – since 2005
– Voyages in South Pacific – since 1994
– Cape Horn & the Beagle Canal – since 2002
– New Zealand – since ever
