Calm, competent and adventurous Captain Ben Swanson has a joy for life that is contagious. A passionate naturalist and guide his accumulated knowledge of wildlife habits and habitat comes from first hand experience. He has many colorful stories of classic yachts and the Alaska of old that make for lively conversation in the wheelhouse and at the dinner table.
Ben is a second generation Captain and lifetime lover of the water who grew up on boats in Washington and Alaska and has been cruising the coastal waterways of the Inside Passage for more than 30 years. A marine mechanic, electrician and jack of all trades Ben has been full-time Captain and partner in the Discovery since 1998 and in 2010 took over the boat.
‘Discovery’ is still very much a family affair as Ben continues the legacy of eco-responsible small ship cruising and sharing with guests an appreciation of the natural world and his love for a classic wooden boat.
“I hope to one day pass on the joy of boating and boat ownership to my kids so they can continue to share the beauty of Alaska, Canada and the Pacific Northwest with future generations”