About Us
Sea Wolf Adventures is a green, conservation-driven, eco-tourism small ship cruise adventure company. As rugged as it appears, Southeast Alaska’s environment encompasses hundreds of vulnerable ecosystems. These systems, in the air and on land and water, are melded together by fragile food webs that support the amazing flora and fauna that makes up that part of planet earth. Sea Wolf Adventures specializes in natural history cruises that explore the glacial fjords, traveling to where new life is attaching itself to barren, glacial scrubbed rock and then following the succession of plant and animal life in Glacier Bay National Park. Expert naturalists share not only their botany, geology, marine- and wildlife knowledge, but also past and current climate sciences about the wilderness, its known affects and possible outcomes. Sea Wolf Adventures operates under the belief that immersing guests in a pristine wilderness brings home to each person how there are not many places left like this in the world. Most harbor a dream of rebuilding fractured ecosystems in their own neighborhoods, towns, states and countries with a sustainable and green plan that promotes healthy lifestyles for humans and a future for all living things. Sea Wolf is trying to do just that in Alaska.
THE SEA WOLF
The good ship Sea Wolf is an before 97′ ocean-going ship that carries 12 passengers plus 5-6 crew in great comfort. She is an amazing expedition platform for cruising, wildlife spotting, whale watching and as a kayaking mothership. The Sea Wolf has many guest areas including a main viewing salon, covered aft viewing/dining deck and a wonderful wide bow. Our aft deck is enclosed in eisen glass and heated. There is a large outdoor viewing deck behind the wheelhouse. The side decks are also covered for your sightseeing comfort. Our staterooms each have their own bathrooms including shower, sink and head. We carry an extensive naturalist library for our guests to enjoy. Our crew are all fun, knowledgeable and eager to share their naturalist lore and stories. We carry 6 double kayaks for guests and 2 guide kayaks. We also have a 18′ Rigid inflatable for shore excursions. The Sea Wolf is an incredibly stable vessel and our waters as a rule as glassy calm for a wonderful cruising adventure.
Capacity: 12 guests in 6 staterooms
Year Built: 1941
Remodeled: 2003/2019
Crew Members: 5-6 crew members
Length: 97 feet
Beam: 22’6
Cruising Speed: 8 knots
History
USS OBSERVER aka “Sea WOLF” The Sea Wolf (aka USS Observer) had her 97′ hull laid in 1941 as a US Navy Harbor minesweeper. In 1947 she was decommissioned after serving as protection for San Francisco Bay. In the 1950’s She was purchased by the Krieger Family and used as the family’s private yacht. Douglas Oil acquired her in the 60’s as part of the purchase of Krieger Oil. She was found tied to a dock in the early 1980’s by another Alaskan charter company and refitted as a charter vessel that was pivotal in moving forward legislation to protect the Tongass National Forest. They decided to refit another minesweeper that accommodated twice the passengers and sell the Observer aka the “Sea Wolf”. We found her for sale in 2003 and fell in love with her classic lines and history. In her history she has traveled from Alaska to the Galapagos and is the perfect vessel for exploring our Inside Passage wilderness waters from Glacier Bay, Alaska to the San Juan Islands.
Public Areas
STATEROOMS
Gourmet dining on the Sea Wolf
We believe in supporting local business’s, growers and fisherman. Our salmon, halibut, spot prawns, scallops and dungeness crab is all harvested in SE Alaska by local fisherman. There is nothing better than FAS Wild Alaska Salmon, Right off the Hook Halibut or Dungeness Crabs straight from the crab pot to the steamer to your plate! We try to use mostly fresh and organic produce and most of our baked goods are prepared on board. Our chef can work with most any special diets: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and lo-fat and youth friendly. Just let us know well ahead of time and we can accommodate your special need.
All of our cruises offer accessible activities
- Double State Room means over/under Twin Bunks
- Side decks are at minimum 32″ wide
- Access doors are 32″ wide with a straight in or 90° entry from the deck.
- Staterooms have T turns as there is not a 5′ radius.
- Heads have a shower that a wheelchair can roll to the side of it and transfer onto a fold-down 19″ high shower bench. Hand controls are within reach and the shower has a remote wand with on/off switch. We have a shower chair available.
- Wheelchairs can roll to the side of the toilet for transfer
- The toilet is 17″-19″ high.
- Public areas have room for maneuvering.
- We have a Man Rated winch for access into the kayaks and skiff.
- Wheelchair lift to second deck suitable for chairs without an extended wheel in front.
- Portable grab bars for transferring into bunk
- Transfer boards
The Crew
Kimber Owen
Keith Thompson
Darren Sparks
Joe Rush
Alex Westcott
Paul Granthem
Sven Hooson
Jenny Hahn
Yarrow Platt
Laurel Khan
Monika Becker
Nina Valadez
Emily Herman
Emma Carey
Jess Mulligan
Conservation and Philanthropy
Our Environmental Footprint:
- The Sea Wolf has minimal ambient noise (underwater)so has a low disturbance rate to marine mammals
- Minimal use of plastics with an annual reduction plan as new materials become available.
- Meet EPA standards for overboard discharge of black water.
- Recycle all garbage and food waste at the Gustavus Recycle Center
- Use Eco-Friendly cleaning supplies
- Guests are provided with eco-friendly shampoos, conditioners and soaps in refillable units to reduce plastics and be environmentally safe.
- Our engine in combination with a generator uses less than10 gallons of diesel per hour. We are investigating carbon footprint reductions and programs.
- Use a paperless communication, marketing, and accounting system
Out Flora and Fauna Stewardship Program
- Follow the guidelines of the “Marine Mammal Viewing Code of Conduct” as published by the National Marine Fisheries Service
- Practice “Leave no Trace” principals
- Follow wildlife viewing guides set by Glacier Bay National Park and the Tongass National forest.
Supporting Local Program
- Our crew is over 70% Alaskans.
- We Support various conservation and education organizations through monetary donations.
- WE support our community of Gustavus by:
- Purchase local produce from Gustavus and Alaskan community growers- Kimber-the owner also has an epic garden
- Purchase our seafoods from local commercial fisherman
- Hire locals for onboard and land support crew
Philanthropy
- The Sea Wolf is an active wheelchair accessible vessel. We have a fund though Craig Hospital foundation to raise funds for trips for wheelers. The Therapeutic Recreation Program at Craig Hospital promotes overall fitness and well-being, with the goal of improving, maintaining or restoring physical strength, cognition, and mobility for someone with a nervous system injury through recreational activity. Recreation is an integral part of the total rehabilitation process. Leisure-time activities help define who we are, gives life fullness, and keeps us healthy. We have seen patients make dramatic improvement in their rehabilitation program when they rediscover their leisure-time activities.We love hosting Craig Clients on our wilderness adventure trips. We are all on an even keel as we paddle through the pristine wilderness-help support their adventures in life. Link to accessible photos. Click on Craig to give a charitable contribution. Craig (https://craighospital.org/foundation/support-the-sea-wolf-adventure-scholarship-program)
- Southeast Alaska Conservation (https://www.seacc.org/)
- Salmon beyond Borders to protect our Transboundary Rivers https://www.salmonbeyondborders.org/
- We participate in Citizen Science projects whenever applicable.