Un-Cruise Adventures appoints a seasoned port captain

Masters aboard the adventure cruise line’s eight vessels will report directly to Graves. All aspects concerning vessel team management, voyage planning and navigation standards are under his leadership. Graves will also work closely with the company’s safety officer to ensure a safe and secure environment for the crew and passengers.

He reports directly to ceo Dan Blanchard.

'Mark’s expertise in our areas of operations and in the small passenger ship business is unsurpassed,' said Blanchard, adding that Graves brings more than 25 years of experience in the small ship cruise industry and 'many nautical miles of adventuring under his own keel.' He has a reputation as a strong and talented leader and team builder.

Graves most recently returned from a three-year sailing adventure with his wife Michelle. They sailed their sloop along the West Coast of Mexico, across the Pacific to French Polynesia and island-hopped through the South Pacific to New Zealand. Before leaving for his sailing adventure, Graves spent 22 years with Lindblad Expeditions as captain, operating small ships throughout the Americas.

He started his life aboard at Clipper Cruise Line as a deckhand and quickly worked his way up to chief mate.