Meet our Captains

	Captain, Rod Dufour A native Californian, Captain Rod is not only a licensed Captain, but also an avid surfer, a First Aid instructor and a scuba instructor, specializing in the handicapped. He has operated research vessels, charter boats and tugboats all along the Pacific. He has also worked with Jean-Michael Cousteau and for National Geographic. If that’s not enough, he can whip up a mean omelet as well.
	Captain, Shawnda Gallup Shawnda began her seagoing life in the waters of Southern California. A native of southern California. Shawnda spent her childhood near the sea and her entire adult life on the water. Trained as a deck officer on a large passenger vessel and self-taught as an engineer, Shawnda brings a wealth of experience to American Safari Cruises’ yachts.
	Captain, Tate Grant Tate’s professional sailing days began as a deckhand and later as a mate in Southeast Alaska, the Columbia River, the San Francisco Bay area and the Sea of Cortés. Tate received his Captain's license in 2002 after completing the necessary courses and testing at Crawford Nautical School in Seattle. He has been working as a licensed mariner ever since.
	Captain, Rob Earle Rob has spent the last thirteen years showing guests the natural wonders and cultures of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and Mexico. His first shipboard job was as a steward on a small cruise ship, and from there he worked his way "up the hawsepipe" to Captain. Rob moonlights as a short story writer and also enjoys hiking, cooking and reading.
	Captain, Rick Brewer Captain Rick began life on the water crewing onboard his father’s racing sailboats. Rick has since sailed waters around the world and worked from Deckhand to Captain on a variety of vessels including a Tug & Barge in the North Sea to Schooners, Yachts and Cruise Vessels. Rick has served as an Instructor for the Seattle Maritime Academy as well as a guest instructor & speaker for several public & private boating organizations. As Captain, he states “The experience of seeing the wildlife and habitat through fresh eyes on each voyage keeps my job fun and exciting!”