In The Same Boat crew

Get to know a bit more about In The Same Boat’s full time crew. These are skippers and managers that are employed by the operative unit of In The Same Boat and this job is their livelihood. Although the beach cleaning is done by volunteers, running the logistics and managing the organization needs a dedicated professional crew. It takes a team of motivated and inspiring people to protect our planet!

Photos by Runa Andersen.

Sølvi Maria Stordalen Blindheim

Norway

A true and passionate sea lover, living in her own boat for years, and now CO for our skippers and team leaders, making sure everyone has what they need to do the best possible job.

Her background as a judge in the Norwegian court system adds another dimension to our team,  and she is actually good in identifying and solving conflicts – not judging anyone.

She came, as most of our crew, as a volunteer, and the relationship developed. 

Rolf-Ørjan Høgset

Norway

Rolf Ørjan founded In The Same Boat back in 2017. Until then, his career was all about innovation, building several companies and concepts in technology and communication, and for a long period of time a recognized photographer and producer of digital marketing.

When he realized that the sea was struggling with plastic pollution he decided to go all in to save it, shut down all his running businesses, and became a full time sailor and defender of the sea. 

Also known for: Being on the upper half of the Asberger scale, playing the piano and other instruments, living in a boat since 2017, father of 4, survived cancer, and a passion for gourmet food. 

Runa Andersen

Norway

With her skippering experience beginning back in 2020, Runa is one of our most senior skippers.

She is also our valued photographer, award winning surfer, and a true ambassador for the ocean.  Runa brought us the In The Same Bread, which has become a tradition and important part of our healthy on board diet. Get the recipe here.

Runa loves to travel and is expanding her network in other areas of the world – maybe she’s the one that will establish a new In The Same Boat branch over the big seas?

Claire Legrand

France

Claire has been with us since 2021, and is one of our most experienced skippers.

With the most joyous contagious laugh and enormous work ethic, she is an excellent leader and brings good vibes to wherever she is.

You can count on Claire to brew you endless amounts of coffee and cook the most delicious meals.

Claire is also head of our ship medicine with a nursing background. 

Maren Sveinsen

Norway 

An experienced and avid sailor –  Maren has crossed the North Sea (several times), and the Atlantic Ocean.

She brings a calming energy to any team and her patience allows her to be a great teacher and leader for both skippers in training and volunteers.

You can count on her to bake delicious chocolate chip cookies and join in any card game.

Bas Vermeulen

Netherlands 

Skipper and CO for our Tech Team keeping our boats  operating safely, Bas is one of our most experienced skippers and handyman of our crew.

There is no pump this man can’t fix and he has endless amounts of puns and jokes ready to use for any occasion.

A part of the story is how he randomly showed up at one of our boats biking from Cape North back to the Netherlands, curious about what we were doing – he ended up staying from that day, and we hope will continue to do so.

Morten Wesnes 

Norway 

Our valued skipper and multi talented musician of the crew, there is no instrument that Morten can’t play!

He is an experienced sailor after living years on his own boat, highly loved by his volunteers that admire him for him being true to the traditional sailor spirit.

You can count on him to teach you sea shanties, pick wild herbs in the summer for tea, and bake a delicious lava cake.

Zamira Chevrestt

Spain/ US 

Zamira began with us as a long term volunteer and then joined our management team in 2024 after falling in love with sailing and the Norwegian nature. 

She is passionate about protecting the environment and with her positive attitude you can count on her to encourage and support the volunteers and her colleagues. 

When she’s not on board you can find Zamira in the mountains, reading a fantasy book, or doing Yoga.

Arno LeRoux

France

Arno is another long term volunteer we recruited to become a skipper in 2024 and he has proven himself to be a true sailor.

When he is not at sea you can find him skiing in the mountains or rock climbing. He is a true adventurer and an excellent cook and pastry chef. 

Among his talents are carpentry and mechanical work, and you will often see him with tools in his hands, and maybe some oil in his face.

Faune Bilde Jørgensen

Norway 

Faune is a great skipper that comes from a long career in fishing.

He is a real pro when it comes to driving our workboats and he takes great care of his volunteers and colleagues diett when he fishes us dinner and teaches us cool knots.

When he discover fishing gear at the beaches, he’s able to tell the exact usage and sometimes the reason why it was lost, just by a brief look at it.

Joris Grüning

Germany

Joris began with us as a long term volunteer and in 2023 and joined the skipper team from 2024.

He is a true adventurer and sailor, steering in 18 m/s wind like it’s nothing, and an he’s an amazing drone photographer.

His calming energy and endless patience creates a welcoming and peaceful environment for anyone on his team.

Nicolai Henningsen

Norway

After volunteering with us, Nicolai became a skipper in 2024 and has been an excellent addition to our team.

He is a natural born leader and has a true passion for keeping our oceans healthy and clean. In his free time you can find surfing, diving, or skiing somewhere around the world – also as an instructor. 

His patience and skills with training people also comes handy when bringing new teams of volunteer beach cleaners up to speed.

Jesse Magin

Germany 

A long term volunteer turned skipper, Jesse has picked up navigation skills and gained an immense amount of experience in a short time.

Willing to go with the flow and bringing chill vibes, there is no sea state or weather that will rattle him.

When he is not on the helm you can find him knitting, reading, playing chess or making advanced graphs of our cleanup statistics.

We’ve nicknamed him Jesse Margin, and we think he will live up to the name and make sure we have margins where we need it. 

Luisa Thiel

Germany

Working with InTheSameBoat since 2020: social media manager, documentary director and videographer.

Being based somewhere between Portugal and Norway, she is a passionate surfer and filmmaker, telling stories that matter.

Also holds the record in unintentionally doing the most 360s with a sailboat during her first ever time steering. Very interesting circles to see on the plotter.