The 35 year-old executive has been employed by the Hansa Treuhand Group since 2005. Having graduated with a degree in business administration, his first position within the group was as assistant to chairman Hermann Ebel.
In November 2010, he joined the management of Sea Cloud Cruises as sales director and vp sales.
The Management Board of Sea Cloud Cruises now comprises Ebel, Schäfer and Klaus Gerken.
The Sea Cloud fleet includes 83-year-old four-masted barque Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II. Sea Cloud Cruises is a member of 'Feine Privathotels'.