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Seabourn mourns beloved longtime captain, Karlo Buer

(Photo: Seabourn)
Karlo Buer served Seabourn for 28 years and was the first captain on several of its new ships
Karlo Buer, a respected captain with a large, loyal following who sailed decades with Seabourn, died last weekend in Norway. He was 62.

'He was one of the most beloved members of the Seabourn family,' president Rick Meadows said. 'During his 28 years with Seabourn, he earned much respect and affection from both the crew and guests.'

'He was all class,' said Richard Davey, manager of the cruise division for Ambassador Travel Services in Sydney. 'My loyal Seabourn clients are particularly sad as they held him in high regard.'

Buer joined Seabourn in 1989, supervising the construction of Seabourn Spirit. Following a brief period working shoreside, he returned to the ships in 1991 as master of Seabourn Spirit. He also served as captain of Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Legend, and was in command of Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn when the ships launched in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Davey said Buer was significant to Australia because he was the master of Seabourn Pride when it became the first first ship in the fleet to call at Sydney and New Zealand in October and November 1996. He also was in command for Seabourn Odyssey's maiden call at Sydney, and for Seabourn Sojourn's first visit in February 2014 during a world cruise.

Heading off to sea when he was 16, Buer worked for several companies and on different ships and trades, in various deck positions. He graduated as a master from the Norwegian merchant marine academy in 1980. He then married a fellow student and started a family.

Buer spent the next five years on cargo ships until late 1985. At that point, he sailed on his first passenger vessel as a staff captain, and found the profession that was his passion ever since.

'Captain Buer will be missed greatly,' Meadows said, 'and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family.'

Funeral services are scheduled for Aug. 2 in Rygge, Norway. Several members of the Seabourn team will attend on behalf of the company.