Explorer Ventures is excited to announce several changes and additions to an integral part of their liveaboard diving fleet. According to President Clay McCardell, "the long history of people dedicated to making our guests feel at home with the company has now grown." McCardell started Explorer Ventures in 1987, and during the company's 20-year history several people have dedicated over 15 years to their guests' experiences. Capt. Jim Merrill and Sue Bertram first joined Caribbean Explorer in 1992 and have been with the company ever since, currently as Operations Managers for Explorer Ventures Australia. Fleet Engineer Keith Smith joined us in 1994; Caribbean Fleet Captain Jean-Francois Chabot (better known as JF) and Caribbean Operations Manager Jennifer Cumming joined the company in 2000, and oversee daily operations of the company's 3 Caribbean-based vessels. Laurene Best, Australia Sales Manager, has been with the company in Cairns since 2000 as well.

This month Explorer Ventures announced that Operations Coordinator Diana Heaton will add to her existing duties the responsibilities of USA Sales Manager. Diana joined the Explorer Ventures' operations team in 2005 after spending 5 years with a Florida-based liveaboard diving company. In addition to Diana, the Explorer Ventures operations office in Casper, Wyoming will add an operations and assistant. This individual will join the staff of four which also includes Pat Wood, who has been the Operations Office Manager since 2004, husband and Purchasing Coordinator Frank Wood, and Marketing Manager Lynn Rodell.

The company's US Sales Office, located southeast of Dallas, TX, is now staffed full-time by Randy Harris, formerly in charge of group sales, and Barbie Ware. The company's Cairns, Australia office also announced in December that Maureen Zecchinati has been appointed Office Manager, overseeing all day to day operations of the 18-passenger Nimrod Explorer, based in Cairns.

These additions and changes will enhance the experience of our guests, and accommodate the company's rapid growth over the past few years. "The foundation of the company remains the same - providing guests with world-class liveaboard diving vacations at an exceptional value - but our hope is that each guest we have aboard our vessels becomes more than just a guest but a life-time friend." Mr. McCardell said.