Our staff

Florence is a world traveler with a passion for the polar regions, remote nature, deserts, history, and nomadic peoples.

After receiving her Master’s Degree in Educational and Organizational Psychology in the Netherlands, she worked as a consultant-manager in social affairs.

In 2004 Florence went to the big white desert of Antarctica for the first time, and her passion for this continent has drawn her back ever since.

But she also enjoys the heat, having crossed 1,200 km (745 miles) of harsh Mongolian desert on foot with an expedition team and one Bactrian camel.

Florence has lived at the historical British base of Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula, where she served as a base leader, and also works on sailing yachts in the Arctic and Antarctica.

She has been an expedition guide and leader in both polar regions since 2012, and she looks forward to sharing her knowledge and unlimited passion for the polar regions with you.

Michael began diving in 1980, training with the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Harbour.

After leaving the Navy, he continued to dive mainly around the UK, diving wrecks and always looking for a new story.

He is qualified as a dive instructor with BSAC and PADI and is certified to operate Drager Dolphin and Buddy Inspiration rebreathers.

Michael has worked for Oceanwide Expeditions for five years and enjoys giving divers a safe and exploratory experience in the polar regions.

Michael’s biggest tip for polar divers is to slow down, look around, and enjoy the environment.

He looks forward to enjoying it with you.

Remmert Koster was born in the Netherlands, and from a young age he was convinced he would become a captain.

After completing nautical college, he sailed general cargo ships for several years before switching to heavy-lift ships, transporting such loads as offshore platforms, Dutch Royal Navy vessels, submarines, parts for petrochemical plants, dredgers, cranes, and other such items.

Since 2016 he has captained passenger vessels, starting with two mega-yachts and later becoming a captain with Oceanwide Expeditions on its Polar Class 6 vessel, Hondius.

Remmert is married and lives with his wife and her daughter in an old farmhouse in north Holland. When he’s not busy renovating the house, he likes to cook, travel, and spend time with his family and friends.