Mick commenced working for Orion Expeditions Cruises in 2006 and has extensive experience as an Orion Expedition Leader on our ‘a path less travelled’ itineraries.

With two degrees in Marine Biology, Mick has over 20 years experience in research and in educating the general public on the myriad wonders of the tropics.

Mick’s maritime qualifications have enabled him to experience a variety of roles onboard other vessels, including as a Skipper, Engineer, First Mate and Expedition Leader. However, he gains the most satisfaction from enlightening people about the wonders of the natural world.
Mick graduated from James Cook University with majors in Marine Biology, Marine Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Geographic Information Systems and for the next ten years Mick worked in a number of different roles for James Cook University; as an associate lecturer, Field Technician and Research Assistant, spending time onboard the University’s Research Vessel the R.V. James Kirby. Mick has always enjoyed the practical and field sides of Marine research and this culminated with him managing the University’s field research station at Orpheus Island for five years.

He still lectures to visiting students and operates intensive courses for international student groups from his base in Cairns. Guests who have sailed with Orion previously will tell you that Mick is a very entertaining and informative lecturer, who will literally take you on an under sea journey of discovery.

In his role as the Expedition Team Leader aboard Orion, Mick’s duties are diverse; from leading guests on exploratory walks ashore to coordinating the Zodiac excursions from Orion’s stern marina platform. Mick also directs the informative debriefing each evening that features the day’s activities with the Expedition Team.

Andrew joins us with expedition cruising experience in Greenland, Alaska, Antarctica, the Sub Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Indonesia, South East Asia and Australia’s Kimberley region. Andrew has also skippered whale watching and dolphin swimming vessels in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and British Columbia, and has worked as a dive guide on a “liveaboard” in the Red Sea.

His qualifications range from a Bachelors degree in Zoology and a postgraduate diploma in Tourism Management and Marine Science through to a postgraduate diploma in Natural History Filmmaking and Communication.

Andrew’s documentary filmmaking projects are internationally recognised, with his films having featured at several film festivals including the Green Film Festival in South Korea, Ecovision in Italy, and the Tokyo Environmental Film Festival in Japan.

He is an accomplished and entertaining lecturer who loves marine adventure activities such as diving, surfing and sailing. The refitting of a 30 foot steel sloop over the last three years is also a passion of Andrew’s.

Andrew is the founder of Ocean International, an entity primarily created to facilitate the development and deployment of a dedicated filming expedition vessel.

Andrew is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with Orion guests.

Dr Alexander Watson is an ecologist with a special interest in seabirds and marine mammals. He is particularly interested in human-caused disturbance including long-line fishing, oil spills, seismic testing, whaling and climate change.

He is the current Kimberley Project Manager for the non-government organisation ‘World Wide Fund for Nature’ (WFF). In the summer months he works as a whale and seabird lecturer and guide in the sub-Antarctic Islands and Antarctica. He has also worked in tropical waters for the Australian government assessing impacts of oil spills of marine biodiversity.
Prior to working for WWF, he has lectured at University in conservation biology and ecology, represented the educational organisation ‘Leave No Trace’ and worked for ‘The Wilderness Society’ on the Great Western Woodland project where he brought together key stakeholders to develop a regional plan for managing this extraordinary landscape.
He has published scientific reports on topics including assessing the National Reserve System in Australia, the need for a new approach for managing the large, intact landscapes including the Great Western Woodlands and the Kimberley, the effects of habitat fragmentation on woodland birds, the effects of logging disturbance on forests and impacts of oil spills on biodiversity.
Alexander is a passionate conservation scientist who wishes to utilise his ecology background to natural biodiversity is maintained and, where possible, empower Indigenous peoples.

Damon completed his Biology degree at Charles Darwin University and James Cook University at Townsville and Cairns. Previous to this he gained his qualifications in Outdoor Guiding in the Blue Mountains, south eastern Australia, which led to a range of research assistant experiences.

Damon is the author and photographer of the Ecosystem Guide series. For the last few years he has been a company director and co-owner of Educational Tours Australia. “ETA” organises and runs various study tours, including biology and ecology programmes, for groups of students of all ages.

For the last decade he has worked as a guide and lecturer for various companies and institutes around Australia and the Pacific, leading day trips, overnight jungle hikes, rock art tours, documentary film crews, 4WD safaris, coral reef cruises, cycle tours, expedition cruises, wildlife and bird-watching tours, and biology, ecotourism and other study programs.

Damon’s work and travel experiences have taken him to most parts of the globe including New Zealand and we welcome him onboard Orion again.

Mark joined the Orion Expedition Team in 2007 with a wealth of knowledge and experience accumulated from living and working throughout the wilderness of Australia. Since that time Mark has gained experience as an Expedition Team member on most of Orion’s destinations including the Kimberley.

From Cooktown in Queensland where Mark excelled as an Adventure Trip Tour Guide at Bloomfield Lodge to the Kimberley region, Mark has enviously meshed his passion for the wilderness with his career.

Most notable of his many adventures in the Kimberley region was as Tour and Fishing Guide at one of the most remote corners of the Kimberley; Faraway Bay Bush Camp, where for 10 years Mark held the position of seasonal Senior Ranger/Tour and Fishing Guide at El Questro Wilderness Park.

Mark enjoys all outdoor activities, including scuba diving, bush walking and fishing.

Mark first joined Orion in late 2005 and has since been an integral member of our Expedition Team.

Mark is a Marine Biologist by trade. For 14 years he worked within the Tourism Industry providing educational programs to visitors in the Torres Strait, Great Barrier Reef and Kimberley regions.

He also worked for many years on the exclusive Lizard Island in Queensland, Australia and was responsible for bringing the diversity and fragile nature of the reef to the Island guests’ attention. It was here Mark started producing a series of nature-based newsletters as well compiling educational programs on the Island’s flora.

Mark was called to help establish Poruma Island Resort on Coconut Island, a tiny coral cay in the Torres Strait. This island was seen as the most viable option for creating employment for the Torres Strait Islanders and Mark was responsible for recruiting and training the local Indigenous people to work at the resort.

Mark also has extensive experience in the Kimberley region, where he worked as a guide and as an Expedition Leader for several seasons.

Mark will share with Orion guests his vast knowledge and passion for the natural environment and its inhabitants.