Alaskan Yacht Charters

Geoff Wilson and Debbie Bennett

Alaskan Yacht Charters Eco travel Adventures

 

It is said in the yacht charter industry that the vessel attracts the clients and the crew brings them back. In the last 5 years, 80% of those chartering with Alaska Yacht Charters have been either repeat clients or referred by past clients.

Geoff and Debbie owned and operated Alaska Yacht Charters for over 30 years.  They met Ryan Lindsay, Max Stanley, and Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins over the last year and started the sale of the Alaskan Story and the business to them in August.

Finding a group with the unique skills to be able to successfully operate a charter company in Alaska was not easy. Ryan, Max, and Jonathan have lived in Alaska, and been close friends, all their lives. They are all three successful business owners. They have the passion for the sea and the Alaskan wildlife that Debbie and I have felt so strongly for the past 30 years. We are so excited to be able to turn over the ownership and operation to them. 

Captain Mariah

Alaskan Yacht Charters Eco travel Adventures

 

Captain Mariah Warren is a lifelong Alaskan with deep roots in the maritime community. She holds degrees from the University of Alaska in Marine Transportation (magna cum laude), and also taught marine transportation classes for the university from 2016 to 2020. In addition to extensive experience on private and commercial vessels, she has been commercial fishing since 2006, and a captain in the fishing industry since 2015. When not working at sea, she enjoys traveling the world (preferably also by sea!), as well as striving to capture life’s adventures through photography and the written word.

Owner/Chef Ryan

Ryan grew up in Juneau, and has spent his life on and around the waters of Southeast Alaska. In 2018, Ryan opened Juneau-based Devil’s Club Brewing Company.  Devil’s Club has won many awards and is the most highly reviewed brewery in Alaska.  Along the way Ryan also became a helicopter pilot. 

With the brewery up and running, Ryan’s interest turned back to the sea. His duel passions for aquatic adventures and exquisite food found common ground as a chef on multiple Alaskan charter yachts. He loves incorporating wild-caught Alaskan seafood into his culinary creations.                                                                               

   

Stewardess Catherine McElligott

Catherine grew up working on her family cattle ranch in Northeastern Oregon but has found a passion for boat life and the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Before following the path of adventure to sea, Catherine managed a fine dining restaurant and lodge outside Lassen Volcanic National Park, and also as a ski guide in Montana and the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska. Catherine has a soft spot for home but is a wanderlust at heart so she loves exploring and meeting people in new and old places alike.

Owners: Ryan, Jonathan, and Max


Ryan, Jonathan, and Max are lifelong Southeast Alaskans who grew up exploring the sparkling waters, emerald coves, and soaring mountain ranges of the inside passage. Max is the cofounder and partner of a successful food company, Barnacle, that specializes in kelp-based products. Jonathan is a former state legislator, whose rural district includes most of the land and water that the Alaskan Story explores.

The three share a passion for the ocean and wilderness. They are thrilled to continue the wonderful legacy that Geoff and Debbie have created with Alaska Yacht Charters, and to share the beauty of their home state with each and every guest in the upcoming years aboard the Alaskan Story.