Alex Cowan
I am a geologist and wildlife guide working in Svalbard and on the Antarctic Peninsula.
I am also a professional yacht skipper and powerboat driver, and an experienced mountaineer and skier.
Contact me if you are looking for a driver or field assistant for scientific groups.
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Info
- Summary
Powerboat/Zodiac handler and field guide with experience in the Arctic and Antarctic as well as European waters.
Qualified RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore and RYA Cruising Instructor; experience of yacht delivery and instruction.
Marine engine troubleshooting and maintenance knowledge.
Resourceful and skilled guiding groups on shore in glaciated and/or mountainous regions, with history of wilderness and mountain travel and extensive ropework experience. Trained and experienced with managing safety in Polar bear country and the use of various firearms.
Strong geological background with experience of fieldwork and mapping as well as lecturing and teaching in laboratory and field environments.
Interested in boat driving and field assistant work for leisure or scientific parties both at sea and on shore, yacht delivery and skippered charters, and staff positions on expedition cruise ships.
Experience- Jun 2011 - PresentExpedition Leader, Lecturer, Zodiac Driver / G Adventures
Expedition Leader, geology/glaciology and physics lecturer, powerboat driver, group leader, firearms handler and wildlife guide.
This extremely varied role involves leading and working within very close teams both on shore and at sea in small craft and on larger expedition cruise ships. It requires diverse skill and knowledge sets including small boat handling, use of short- and long-range communications equipment, group leadership and control, identification and behavioural interpretation of wildlife, and the management, maintenance and use of various sea and land safety equipment and firearms in order to operate safely in harsh weather conditions and amongst dangerous wildlife in polar regions. Duties include regular public speaking in the pursuit of education, in the form of lectures and Q&A sessions.
The position also involves scheduling and coordination of trips, working with all ship departments to unify efforts toward a common goal.
- May 2011 - PresentYacht Instructor / Cambridge University Yacht Club
Training groups of students to RYA syllabus and also Yachtmaster exam prep weeks.
- Aug 2011 - Mar 2013Delivery Skipper / Polaris Yacht Deliveries
Yacht deliveries
- May 2012 - May 2012Zodiac Driver/Naturalist / Noble Caledonia
Zodiac driving, lecturing and general expedition staff duties.
- May 2010 - Aug 2010Yacht Instructor and Flotilla Crew / Seafarer Cruising and Sailing Holidays
Working as yachting instructor and delivery skipper, and also as part of a flotilla lead boat crew.
In addition to working independently in the instructor role, this job involved working as part of a team ensuring the smooth running of the flotilla and maintenance of craft at sea. This also involved use of marine engine and electrical maintenance skills.
- Dec 2004 - Sept 2005Laboratory Manager / BP Institute, University of Cambridge
Responsible for day to day running of the BP Institute fluids laboratories.
As well as ensuring the supply and servicing of laboratory equipment, this position involved research related to carbon sequestration and potash mining in collaboration with industrial partners.
Education-
2006 - 2010University of CambridgePhD in Geology
Activities: Cambridge University Yacht Club Vice Commodore, Gonville and Caius College MCR -
2005 - 2006University of CambridgeMPhil in Fluid Flow in Industry and the Environment
Activities: Cambridge University Hare and Hounds, Gonville and Caius College Athletics Club Cross Country Captain -
2003 - 2004University of CambridgeMSci in Geology
Activities: Wherry Librarian (Cambridge University Mountaineering Club) -
2000 - 2003University of CambridgeMA in Natural Sciences
Activities: Cambridge University Mountaineering Club
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Interests:Climbing, mountaineering, ski mountaineering, sailing
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Posts
- Feb 07, 13Gold Harbour; Thousands of King Penguins, Fur Seals and Elephant Seals. South Georgia. http://flic.kr/p/dSUYJB
- Feb 07, 13Stromness whaling base; Fur seals litter the remains of an abandoned whaling station. South Georgia. http://flic.kr/p/dSUWmM
- Feb 07, 13South Georgia Reindeer; One of the last South Georgia Reindeer http://flic.kr/p/dT1wjh
- Feb 07, 13King Penguin at Grytviken; King Penguin wanders a post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland http://flic.kr/p/dT1w3f
- Feb 07, 13King Penguin at Grytviken; King Penguin wanders a post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland http://flic.kr/p/dSUVn4
- Feb 07, 13Shackleton's Grave; The grave of Ernest Shackleton, Grytviken, South Georgia. http://flic.kr/p/dT1uZm
- Feb 07, 13Black Browed Albatross Chick; Nesting Albatross in the Falkland Islands http://flic.kr/p/dSUUAc
- Feb 07, 13Nesting Black Browed Albatrosses; Nesting Albatross in the Falkland Islands http://flic.kr/p/dSUTHn
- Feb 07, 13Black Browed Albatross; Albatrosses flying in to land on their nests, Falkland Islands http://flic.kr/p/dT1te1
- Feb 07, 13Black Browed Albatross; Albatrosses flying in to land on their nests, Falkland Islands http://flic.kr/p/dT1sQU
- Feb 04, 13Chinstrap penguin with chick; Half Moon Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica http://flic.kr/p/dSeekB
- Feb 04, 13Chinstrap penguin with chick; Half Moon Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica http://flic.kr/p/dSjKQo
- Feb 04, 13Macaroni Penguin; A well and truly lost Macaroni penguin nesting unsuccessfully in his usual spot on Half Moon Island. South Shetland Islands, Anatrctica, December 2012 http://flic.kr/p/dSjGAJ
- Feb 04, 13Macaroni Penguin; A well and truly lost Macaroni penguin nesting unsuccessfully in his usual spot on Half Moon Island. South Shetland Islands, Anatrctica, December 2012 http://flic.kr/p/dSjFYQ
- Feb 04, 13Humpback fluke; Humpback whale sounding next to the M/S Expedition. Antarctic Peninsula, December 2012 http://flic.kr/p/dSe6kV
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Posts
Wash!; One of many many waves hammering the ship during a February crossing of the Drake. Winds varied 50-90 knots through the day.
Stromness whaling base; Fur seals litter the remains of an abandoned whaling station.
South Georgia.
Kayaking with Humpbacks; Behind Hovgaard Island, just north of Petermann Island, Antarctica
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Tweets
- @scottbouch It's tempting to stop following you for a bit so you're down to 199.
- Apr 03, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- RT @gp_russia: A polar bear reached the Kremlin today with the message: Arctic not for sale: http://t.co/ST5OL1lI8e http://t.co/a9MK4Zh8cFApr 01, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Video looks right in the eye of a curious #humpback #whale in #antarctica @gAdventures @g_msexpedition http://t.co/cPcQTghCiLMar 31, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- #Hurricane force winds in the Drake Passage after a visit to #antarctica aboard @g_msexpedition http://t.co/cyK7sKyApPMar 31, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Mar 31, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Thanks to @laurenfarmer for alerting me to http://t.co/GFFNehpGWY. #Antarctica is a driver for productivity throughout the world's #oceans.Mar 29, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @BradburyDoreen Thanks Doreen! Glad you enjoyed your trip. Nice to see some green grass though, right?
- RT @GadvLWDub: 'Arctic is the home of adventure' Alex Cowan, expedition leader talks up the poles at London's RGS #polarfun #gadv http:/ ...Mar 28, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @laurenfarmer @collinhughes If only we knew who took such an amazing photo...
- @hbsquared @g_msexpedition I know; I once met David Attenborough there while working at an event!
- Speaking about #polar #travel on board @g_msexpedition at the Royal Geographical Society on Wednesday evening with #trailfinders and #gadvMar 26, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @k202edc8 Jonathan fixed it -- we tweeted photos ok.Mar 25, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- After 2 days of rain in #Antarctica it's nice to come to the UK and find a #climate where it actually snows.Mar 24, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Thanks to all @g_msexpedition and @gAdventures. 2012-2013 #Antarctic season all wrapped up. So long!Mar 22, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- That's me!! RT Our M/S Expedition crew finishing up another amazing season. 12 fabulous voyages to the Great White… http://t.co/d2VFfnmVoUMar 21, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @m_windridge http://t.co/CamvNsEPG6 You'll laugh so hard milk will come out of your nose.Mar 21, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- RT @laurenfarmer: I'm selling #ANTARCTICA prints for 3 wks only. 20 prints avail of each, 5 sizes. Order today 20% OFF code PENGUINS. ht ...Mar 21, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Back as Expedition Leader on the 2012-2013 season's final hurrah in the #Antarctic peninsula on board @g_msexpedition Look out penguins!Mar 11, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
