Silversea has completed its third Expedition Training Academy, this time with a team consisting of two academy instructors and five guides from the Silver Galapagos ship, andsupervised by the director of Silversea's pioneering expedition training academy, which aims to provide a unique experience for its guests.
The rigorous month of training began on October 5, 2019, with a five-day Zodiac course led by Zodiac Milpro, just outside Annapolis, Maryland. From there, the team traveled south to Fort Lauderdale and boarded the Silver Cloud for a 19-day voyage to Callau, Peru. During the navigation course, the crew members experienced the Silver Cloud and received instruction on various topics to enhance their knowledge and experience on board. The navigation team members had the opportunity to refine and develop their Zodiac and seamanship skills, learning from expedition teams who shared their different approaches to operating the Silver Galapagos, acting as ambassadors for their equatorial operations.
The experts who participated in Silversea's third Expedition Training Academy are:
- Paulina Aguirre – Biologist, Naturalist / Guide
- Aura Banda – Environmental Manager, Naturalist / Guide
- Nicolai Bølling – Biologist, Naturalist / Guide
- Bernardo Galvez – Architect, Naturalist / Guide
- Leandro Vaca – Biologist, Naturalist / Guide
- Nicolas Danyau – Naturalist / Guide, Head Trainer at Silversea Academy
- Sarah Merusi – Naturalist / Guide, Head Trainer at Silversea Academy
“I’m delighted with the success of Silversea and its Expedition Training Academy program in the Galápagos, led by our experts,” says Kit van Wagner, Director of Training and Staff Development. “They are true professionals, both onboard and ashore. The academy’s lead trainers did a fantastic job guiding the team throughout the voyage. They focused on development and leadership challenges. I was very impressed by both the trainers and the trainees.”.
Silversea's first Expedition Training Academy was held in 2017-18 aboard Silver Cloud in Antarctica, while the second took place in 2018-19 in the Indian Ocean. On both occasions, the academy trained guides new to the expedition cruise industry to Silversea's high standards. This latest course provided an opportunity for dual training, designed to share ideas and practices across the Silversea Expeditions fleet.
Five of the guides who participated in the expedition have returned to the Galápagos archipelago to share and implement the skills they acquired. Starting in July 2020, they will welcome guests aboard Silversea's new Silver Origin , the first destination-focused cruise ship and the most elegant vessel ever to sail the Galápagos. Built with sustainability in mind and designed specifically to navigate among these unique islands, the Silver Origin will combine Silversea's local destination expertise with the company's signature luxury to offer guests an unparalleled experience.
