Our crew | Bark EUROPA

Though the atmosphere on board the Bark EUROPA is very relaxed and there is little hierarchy there are some offical jobs on board. There are two officers on board: the captain and 1st mate. Next to them a bosun, cook and cooksmate, barhand, engineer and last but not least a number of deckhands populate the ship. We are very pleased that the ship enjoys the company of a very international crew.

Captains

Bark EUROPA captains are among the most experienced and knowledgeable in the industry, expertly steering our vessel in regions of the world where conditions are constantly changing. Our captains combine traditional seamanship with the responsibilities of leading a historic tall ship on long and adventurous voyages.

Eric Kesteloo

Captain

Since 2001

Nationality Dutch

Managing ship's technical systems to leading long and challenging voyages, Eric's calm yet highly in...
Janke Kingma

Captain

Since 2017

Nationality Dutch

Janke is our female captain badass lady!...
Hans de Lind

Captain

Since 2002 and back since 2023

Nationality Dutch

Our most musical captain! After his first voyage on board in 1993, Hans started working on board in ...
Moritz Kuhlenbäumer

Captain

Since 2024

Nationality Dutch

On board

Captain Moritz is a very experienced sailor, who sailed for many years with the Stad Amsterdam....

Mates

Our dedicated team of officers play an essential role in supporting the captain and leading the crew through the daily operations of a traditional tall ship. With years of experience on board EUROPA, these mates have not only developed expert sailing skills but also have become mentors and trusted guides to new crew members.

Dan Baxter

Chief Mate

Since 2009

Nationality UK

On board

This Scotsman has a dry sense of humor and is a very skilled seaman....
Terry van Kampen

Chief mate

Since 2009

Nationality Dutch

Known for his approachable manners that instantly makes others feel at home, Terry navigates the shi...
Clara Ahlborn

Mate

Since 2022

Nationality Germany

On board

Clara treasures the unforgettable landscapes and wildlife of destinations like the Chilean Fjords, w...

Bosun

Our bosuns are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ship's rigging, sails and deck equipment. They oversee the deck crew, ensuring that all hands work efficiently and safely to keep the ship sailing. Most bosuns have years of experience as deckhand on board EUROPA and therefore know perfectly how to best guide their deck teams with confidence and expertise.

Natalie Razavi

Bosun

Since 2016

Nationality UK

Natalie is a skilled and experienced bosun with a calm, gentle character that belies her incredible ...
Ayla Diesing

Bosun

Since 2023

Nationality Germany

Ayla is a dynamic and down-to-earth person, with a deep love for both the sea and the natural world....

Engineers

Working in the dungeons of Bark EUROPA, our engineers play an important role below deck, ensuring that all systems operate smoothly and safely.

Niels Somers

Engineer

Since 2023

Nationality Belgian

Full-time worldtraveling Engineer...
Rocio Delger

Engineer

Since 2023

Nationality Argentinian

On board

Meet our female Argentinian engineer Rocio, pronounced”Rose-e-oh” (the Spanish word for morning dew)...
Ed Schoot

Chief Engineer

Since 2019

Nationality Dutch

“There's very little he can't fix”. He handles everything from engines, pumps, deck machinery, sanit...

Galley

The galley is the heart of life on board Bark EUROPA, where our cook and cook's mate play a crucial role in keeping the crew and voyage crew happy through every adventure. Responsible for planning and preparing nutritious, satisfying meals at sea, the cook team works creatively within the challenges of a moving, compact kitchen.

Gjalt Gaastra

Cook

Since 2000

Nationality Dutch

Gjalt is our chef cook, and a member of the Bark Europa family for so many years. Inspired by his fa...
Shani Meintjes

Cook

Since 2024

Nationality UK and South African

On board

Since joining the Bark Europa as a cook in the spring of 2024, Shani has impressed both guests and c...
Sasha Borggrefe

Cook's mate

Since 2017

Nationality Dutch

With a warm smile and boundless enthusiasm, Sasha brings life and flavor to the Bark EUROPA’s galley...
Meike Gunneman

Cook's mate

Since 2024

Nationality Dutch

Meike is a warm and creative crewmember that makes her a great addition to our team....
Cato Bezooijen

Cook's mate

Since 2023

Nationality Dutch

On board

Cato joined the crew of Bark Europa in the spring of 2023 as a cook's assistant, working closely wit...

Barhands

Our barhands are the heart of the crew and the ship, connecting with guests and creating a warm and welcoming environment. In addition to serving drinks and assisting the galley, our barhands supervise the household duties. With close daily interaction, barhands have the unique opportunity to engage with our guests, sharing stories and listening to their stories.

Amelke Fortuin

Barhand

Since 2019

Nationality Dutch

On board

With a warm and motherly presence on board, Amelke has been a beloved member of the Bark EUROPA crew...
Aurane Le Gouallec

Barhand

Since 2024

Nationality French

Our Parisian barlady, Stella!...
Ben van Zelst

Barhand

Since 2023

Nationality Dutch

Known for his everlasting smile and always ready to serve our guest, the best way possible....

Deckhands

Our team of deckhands is not only dedicated to maintaining the ship and ensuring smooth sailing, but they are also passionate about sharing their skills with you! Through hands-on sail training, they guide you in mastering the art of traditional seamanship, making your experience aboard unforgettable.

Sara Källvik

Deckhand

Since 2023

Nationality Sweden

Originally from Sweden, Sara has embraced life in various places, including Amsterdam, where she att...
Nadia Hulshof

Deckhand

Since 2023

Nationality Dutch

This happy Dutchie is maybe tiny of posture, but a grand addition to the team! ...
Amelie Marchand

Deckhand

Since 2021

Nationality Canada

On board

Amelie is a talented and passionate Canadian sailor and musician from Quebec, Canada. She has an imp...
Haakon Festoy

Deckhand

Since 2022

Nationality Norway

Håkon is a reliable and competent sailor with a great sense of humor. At 23 years old and originally...
Matti Borchardt-Hume

Deckhand

Since 2022

Nationality UK

Matti joined Bark Europa in 2022, embarking on his first leg from Cape Town to the Azores, and since...
Dante Petersen

Deckhand

Since 2024

Nationality Danish

Dante is a 22-year-old sailor from Copenhagen, Denmark. Dante’s decision to start sailing on tall sh...
Sarah Loman

Deckhand

Since 2021

Nationality Dutch

On board

Originally from Eindhoven, she has a solid foundation in design, having completed 2 studies in Desig...
Aske Jensen

Deckhand

Since 2021

Nationality Danish

With a reputation for dependability, Aske thrives in challenging conditions, maintaining a calm and ...
Phil Wells

Deckhand

Since 2023

Nationality USA

On board

Phillip joined Europa as voyage crew in the autumn of 2023, sailing from Cape Town to Montevideo....
Vera Marschall

Deckhand

Since 2023

Nationality Germany

On board

Meet Vera Marchall, a German sailor with many sea miles on Tall Ships like the Nordstjernen, Alexand...

Guides

Our team of guides is always willing to share their knowledge with the voyage crew.

Beth Hitchcock

Expedition leader

Since 2016

Nationality Scottish

From her first journey aboard Bark EUROPA as a guest to leading expeditions in Antarctica, Beth has ...
Vicky Inglis

Guide

Since 2023

Nationality UK

On board

Vicky brings a wealth of experience from her work as a guide and naturalist in the polar regions. He...
Richard Simko

Guide

Since 2019

Nationality Slovakian

Richard is a dedicated visual storyteller and expedition guide aboard Bark EUROPA. With a profound p...

Researchers

On board Bark EUROPA, researchers play a crucial role in our mission to deepen understanding of the ocean’s ecosystems. By collaborating with universities and scientific organizations, EUROPA offers a platform for conducting marine research during long ocean crossings. Researchers engage the voyage crew in hands-on projects, from plankton trawling to oceanographic studies, fostering a deeper appreciation for the areas we sail in. These collaborations not only contribute valuable data but also inspire our crew to become passionate advocates for ocean conservation.

Marretje Adriaanse

Researcher

Since 2022

Nationality Dutch

Marretje Adriaanse joined Bark EUROPA after feeling an undeniable pull to be part of the crew. With ...

Office

Our office team is available from Monday till Friday 9-17 u (GMT+1) From our location in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) we keep contact with the ship and are happy to help our guests preparing their adventure on board Bark EUROPA.

Leentje Toering

Director

Since 2011

Nationality Dutch

Meet Leentje: Bark EUROPA’s Director and Guiding Force. Our director Leentje lives in both Ushuaia, ...
Nina Jolink

General manager & Science on board

Since 2017

Nationality Dutch

Nina has been an integral part of Bark EUROPA's office team since 2017, bringing her dedication, har...
Pilou Ronchetti

Sales & merchandise

Since 2021

Nationality Dutch

Meet Pilou: Bark EUROPA’s Sales and network hero!...
Liza de Kurver

Crew and Sales

Since 2007

Nationality Dutch

Liza has been an integral part of the Bark EUROPA crew since 2007, where she manages crew logistics,...
Lucky Harthoorn

Marketing & Sales

Since 2021

Nationality Dutch

Meet Lucky: The Creative Force Behind Bark EUROPA’s Social Media and Marketing...
Kobus Christianen

HR & Logistics

Since 2021

Nationality Dutch

Kobus joined the Bark EUROPA office in 2021, bringing a positive energy and a wealth of experience f...