Crew

Lawrence holds multiple licenses including 1600 Ton Master Oceans Inspected, 5000 Ton Oceans Uninspected, and 3rd Mate Unlimited.  Lawrence has been the Mt. Mitchell Captain since 2006, but started as Chief Mate in 2003.  With more than four decades of maritime experience, Lawrence is always prepared for the unexpected while on the Ocean.  Lawrence has a vast amount of experience navigating ice conditions in the Arctic, Norton Sound, Cook Inlet, Sea of Okhotsk, Japan, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and the North Pacific and has operated in Puget Sound, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, Camden Bay, Russian Far East, Korea, and Japan.  His maritime background includes commanding a converted drillship, large factory trawler, oil research and supply vessel, mother ships, container shuttle vessel, catcher processor, and an auto passenger ferry. 

Some of his recent research missions include surveying for the Alaska Oregon Network (AKORN) fiber optic cable route, Regional Scale Nodes (RSN) cable route, Cook Inlet, Pribilof Canyon, and Unimak Pass.  Lawrence and the crew have multiple years experience working with multibeam sonars, towed side scan equipment and a variety of other research equipment.  Scientists and Party Chiefs count on Captain Lawrence’s expertise to ensure safety for all, maximize efficiencies and keep research missions running on schedule.  Clients and crew members appreciate Lawrence’s leadership, professionalism, accommodating demeanor, and his sea stories.  Many who have sailed with him state, “I would go anywhere with Lawrence and know I am in safe hands”.

Brian has 14 years experience in the maritime industry and has been a part of the crew since December 2008.  He has both a 3rd Mate Oceans Unlimited Tonnage and AB Unlimited license.  Brian’s training includes Seafarer’s Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), Basic Safety Training, Lifeboatman, STCW Ratings of Navigation Watch, ARPA, Medical Provider, FCC GMDSS Radio Operator, Advanced Firefighting, and Bridge Resource Management. His responsibilities include standing a navigation watch, organizing and directing all fire and emergency drills, providing safety and orientation briefings for clients.  He is also the onboard medical person during missions that do not have client-based medical personnel.  Brian enjoys the variety of missions he gets to be a part of while working on Mt. Mitchell. 

Paul has been a part of the crew since 2009.  He has over ten years experience working in recreation and commercial fishing on the east coast.  He graduated from State University of New York Maritime College, has his 3^rd Mate Oceans Unlimited Tonnage license, is a USCG Licensed 3rd Officer of Unlimited Tonnage and has his FCC Marine Radio Operators License.  Paul’s training includes Seafarer’s Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), Basic Safety Training, Lifeboatman, STCW Ratings of Navigation Watch, ARPA, Medical Provider, Advanced Firefighting, MARAD Approved VSO, CSO, FSO Security training, and Bridge Resource Management.  Paul ensures safe navigation of the Mt. Mitchell by sitting two navigational watches a day.  He is also responsible for the submitting daily reports of the vessel and preparing weather reports for clients, crew and the bridge. Paul enjoys working with the crew and the adventures they experience during each research mission.

Randy has more than 35 years of experience in the maritime industry and recently joined the Mt. Mitchell crew. He received training at Crawford Nautical School and has his 3rd Mate Unlimited License, credentials to serve as captain, relief captain, engineer, and deck hand.  Beyond his experience working on research vessels, Randy has enjoyed his time delivering yachts for owners and guests, crab fishing in Alaska and Russia, squid fishing in New Zealand, the North Pacific and Peru, and Tuna fishing off Mariana Island and the South Pacific. Some of his responsibilities on the Mt. Mitchell include bridge watch, safety inspections and running safety drills.  Randy's favorite part of working on the Mt. Mitchell is working with clients and the professionalism of the entire crew. 

Waldemar has been with the Mt. Mitchell crew since 2006. He started his career by attending the Deep Sea Fishing School of Poland as well as the Maritime College of Poland.  With over 25 years experience in the marine industry, Waldemar takes pride in maintaining various components of the inside and outside of the vessel, as well as ensuring safety for clients and other crew members.

Andy has more than 30 years experience in the maritime industry and has enjoyed meeting new people while working on the Mt. Mitchell since joining the crew in 2003.  As a certified Able Seaman Limited and Wiper, Andy received professional deckhand, crane operator, and offshore rigger training.   While on the Mt. Mitchell, he serves as the deck operator of the incinerator and also assists the stewards department. 

Matt joined the Mt. Mitchell crew in 2009 and enjoys the atmosphere on board the vessel.  With more than 10 years in the maritime industry, he is a licensed Able Seaman Unlimited 100 Ton Master and 200 Ton Mate.  Professional training Matt has received includes Marine Radio Operator, Unlimited Lifeboatman, Basic Safety Training, pedestal crane/rigging, engine utility, helo-firefighting, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER), forklift/crane, SafeGulf, vessel security and anti-terrorism, and explosive and combat warfare training. While on the Mt. Mitchell, he is responsible for deck maintenance, general maintenance, cargo operations, crane operation and rigging, line handling while docking, and assisting engineers with fueling operations.

Per has spent more than 40 years working in the maritime profession and joined the Mt. Mitchell in early 2005.  He received training from the Norwegian Maritime Academy and is a USCG Licensed Chief Engineer with Unlimited Horsepower. As Chief Engineer, he is responsible for keeping the ship in tip-top operating shape and maintaining all the machinery and equipment throughout the ship.  Per is an excellent engineer with extensive experience giving Mt. Mitchell clients' confidence that any mechanical issues will be prevented or addressed with the highest expertise.