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Alaska Sea Adventurs - Crew

Dennis Rogers
Captain and Owner

Captain Dennis 'Hank' Rogers is a professional mariner with over three decades of experience navigating the waters of Alaska as a commercial fisherman. He is a U.S. Coast Guard certified master of vessels to 200 tons and is trained and certified in first aid and CPR. Continued educational courses in marine safety, technical training, first aid, and even a certification as an emergency medical technician have added an even greater degree of expertise, and an extra margin of precaution. With enthusiastic affection for the Alaskan outdoors and a fascination with its diverse wilderness flora and fauna, Dennis continues on his quest to experience and explore more of the wonders of this area he calls home, Southeast Alaska!

While pursuing an education in marine biology Dennis enjoyed the allure of time spent aboard research vessels and eventually satisfied the desire to be on the water after becoming involved with the commercial fisheries in Alaska. The waters of SE Alaska are home to this long-time Petersburg Alaska resident, who with his wife Toni has raised two sons that enjoyed summers learning nautical skills aboard the families' fishing vessels. Decades of fishing the local waters during year-around seasonal fisheries for salmon, herring, halibut, prawns, tanner and king crab, have made him a master of this region and its waterways.

A career change from commercial fishing to charter yacht ownership and operations provides the platform for Dennis to share with visitors the raw magnificent beauty and wildlife found among the islands, fjords, coves and bays of Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage and Tongass National Forest that he so passionately enjoys.

With great enthusiasm, Captain Dennis continues Alaska Sea Adventures 35-year tradition of unsurpassed SE Alaskan cruises. Dennis addition of a variety of professionally guided expeditions has augmented the companies’ diversity of cruise offerings. Individual tours focused on archeology, natural and cultural history, photography, sea kayaking, fly-fishing, ornithology, whale and wildlife observation are only some of the typical adventures offered.

Dennis enthusiastically looks forward to utilizing the knowledge acquired during a career of fishing on and owning vessels up to 180 feet in length to safely share with guests aboard the Northern Song and Alaska Legend the beauty and adventure of the Alaskan seas and spectacular surroundings he has passionately enjoyed all of his adult life.

"Thanks to Captain Dennis and all the crew for an outstanding introduction to Southeast Alaska.  It is a delight to travel with a crew that enjoys their work so much."

Dick & Doris R.
Livermore CA.

Leanna J Stern
Captain/Mate
Marine Naturalist
USCG 100-Ton Master

Leanna grew up on/in the lakes and waters around California. Learning to drive boats young and being on the water became a passion early on. She holds a U.S.Coast Guard, 100- Ton Masters license, and is certified in CPR/First aid.

After leaving California in 1993, Leanna began traveling around the country. Her love of the outdoors growing into a career. By the spring of 2000, Leanna made her first trip to Alaska, a long awaited dream. From the moment her feet touched down, she knew it would be home.

Over the last 11 years, Leanna has traveled/worked between Alaska and Hawaii waters following the migrations of the North Pacific Humpback Whales. On Maui, she worked as Crew/Naturalist for Gemini Charters, a 64ft sailing catamaran. Also volunteering with Hawaii Whale Research Foundation as a Captain. And, still found time to work as a Massage therapist at a world class spa and chiropractor’s office.

In Alaska, Leanna has pursued many opportunities throughout the state. From running/managing a busy Hostel in Anchorage, to guiding remote eco-tours and kayak adventures for Seaside Adventure in Little Tutka Bay, outside of Homer. Making her way to SE Alaskan waters in 2009 to guide whale watching tours outside of Juneau, where she met and married her ‘Coastie’ (Coast Guard) husband.

During her time in Anchorage, Leanna studied Biology at the University of Alaska, and plans to complete her degree as soon as a land based lifestyle presents itself. A passion for ‘learning from the field’ has been the main focus for the past decade. Alaska’s raw wild has kept up her enthusiasm for moving forward. Learning and teaching in her life path, as well as developing new skills as a seamen and naturalist.

Leanna looks forward to sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm and new experiences with all who come aboard Northern Song.

Johann Rousseau
Chef

Johann Rouseau brings an international flavor to his role as chef on the M/V Northern Song. He started his cooking career making pizzas while in high school in his native South Africa where he received his formal culinary training. After graduation he traveled extensively and learned and practiced his trade in England, Switzerland and Israel. Then he was offered a position as head cook for a camp in New England where he worked summers preparing meals for 350 children and 100 staff members. During the winter, he cooked on a fishing trawler in Iceland.

Johann moved to the U.S. and earned his international business MBA degree from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. After nine years with the Hyatt Corporation in Florida, he decided to join the Norwegian Cruise Lines in Hawaii. From there, he worked on a luxury yacht as chef for a 16-month cruise in Central and South America – the journey started in San Diego and the yacht cruised to Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador mainland and the Galapagos Islands, then on to Chile, through the Straights of Magellan to the Falkland Islands, Argentina and Brazil. He remarks, "Working on yachts in different parts of the world, visiting new countries and ports of call, while cooking for and meeting new and interesting guests and crew - well it's just perfect. Life is good and remember; never stop dreaming!"

Johann has extensive experience cooking for different people and discriminating palates. Every scrumptious meal is sure to please.

Sake Kasu grilled blackcod. A favorite on the Northern Song!

Captain Wade Loofbourrow USCG Master 1600/3000 tons
Captain/Mate

Capt. Wade Loofbourrow is a long-time professional mariner with decades of experience. He holds a US Coast Guard Master license for vessels of up to 1600/3000 gross tons.

He began his maritime career while a freshman at the University of California, Santa Barbara working as an oceanographic technician. In order to pay his way through university he pursued a combination of commercial diving, commercial fishing, and continued work in biological oceanography. He completed a degree in zoology with emphases in marine biology and fisheries at Humboldt State University. After a stint working as a fisheries biologist in East Africa, he spent many years working as a commercial diver and commercial fisherman from Mexico to Alaska.

In 1980 he moved to Juneau, where he pursued construction, boat repair, and commercial fishing. In 1985 he accepted a position aboard a patrol vessel with the Alaska State Troopers, then accepted a job as Master aboard Alaska Department of Fish and Game research vessels in 1988, eventually becoming fleet manager for Southeast Region. This enabled him to participate in work on numerous species (3 species of king crab, tanner crab, Dungeness crab, all 5 species of Pacific salmon, geoduck clams, sea cucumbers, spot shrimp, numerous groundfish species, herring, various pelagic species, and marine mammals including whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals), physical oceanography, marine geology, parasitology, and various educational missions with numerous institutions including University of Alaska, University of British Columbia, Texas A&M University, University of Hawaii, Colorado State University, and the University of California. This research work enabled unusually extensive exploration of virtually every corner of Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, and Kodiak Island.

In the spring of 2006 he retired from State service to pursue other interests.

Capt. Loofbourrow feels extremely privileged to have had such remarkable opportunities to have explored Southeast Alaska and Southcentral Alaska in such depth over the past quarter century, and takes great pleasure in sharing those privileges. He enjoys teaching, particularly natural history, navigation, and seamanship.

He has been married for 30 years. His two sons were born and raised in Juneau. He actively hunts and fishes and enjoys hiking, music, and good conversation. He continues to study biology.