EXPERIENCE
Ashley's passion for the polar regions began when she lived on base at Rothera (67S) and King Edward Point while working for British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as senior boating officer from 2009 to 2012. Ashley's responsibilities on both bases included maintaining and driving the rigid-inflatable boats (RIBs) and pilot vessels, training base members up to skipper level and supporting terrestrial and marine science. As a member of the marine team she dove as a science support diver. Ashley also provided SAR cover for the airplanes, was trained as an advanced first aider to assist the base doctor. Ancillary jobs took advantage of her varied skills including dive chamber operator, search and rescue coordinator, maintenance of the emergency field huts and seal tagging with the marine biologists. Her blog will give you an insight into living and working on this beautiful continent.
Ashley successfully started Racing Yacht Management (RYM) in 2004, which provides boat captain and management services on race boats and superyachts all over the world.
Her experience is extensive and diverse; including wilderness first responder, ice piloting, mountaineering, and refit project management with over 150,000 miles of ocean sailing experience on vessels from 30 feet to 185 feet. Ashore her exploits include having climbed to 21,000 feet on Aconcaqua the highest mountain in South America at 22,841 feet and 19,690 feet on Island Peak in the Himalayas (20,300 feet).
In 2012 she first worked in Tourism in Antarctica aboard Corinthian II as expedition staff. Since 2014 she has been expedition leading activity intensive expeditions on private yachts and ships. Many of the private expeditions have been multi vessel with helicopters and submersibles. She has completed dozens of expeditions to Antarctica, including the only one to receive a permit to enter the region during the Covid epidemic, a two vessel helicopter and submersible superyacht project with a significant science program.
Since 2021 Antarctic Ice Pilot has also been operating in the Arctic providing a variety of services for small yachts, superyachts and ships. Ashley has personally led numerous expeditions in the region and using Olex has created 3D mapping for over 200 nautical miles of previously poorly or un-sounded routes and anchorages, discovering dozens of new landing sites in the process. She completed her third full east to west traverse of the North West Passage 2025.
With an honours degree from the University of Southampton in Geography and Oceanography and a European Science Divers certificate, Ashley understands how to support both terrestrial and marine science projects. She also has the background to write the required Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) required to obtain a permit for the Antarctic Treaty Zone (south of 60). Ashley has written applications to the FCO (British Foreign and Commonwealth Office), the AAD (Australian Antarctic Division) and the US Office of Polar Affairs.
Certifications
STCW Ice Pilot Navigation
Advanced First Aid - Paramedic and NOLS Wilderness First Responder
MCA 200 Ton Masters
MCA 500 Ton Mate Unlimited
General operators certificate (GOC), Global Maritime Distressed Safety Systems (GMDSS)
European Science Diver and PADI Divemaster
Fellow of Royal Geographical Society
Senior Polar Guide PTGA