Brian Pemberton
Owner & Flotilla Captain
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
Cell/Direct Line: 360-202-0600
Brian.Pemberton@nwexplorations.com
For over 40 years, Brian has owned and/or operated both sail and power boats. He has had extensive cruising experience in Puget Sound, Canadian and Alaskan waters, including three off shore trips from Puget Sound to Southern California, through the Sea of Cortez, and from La Rochelle, France to Gibraltar. Brian has a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer license, a 50 gross ton license first issued in 1962, as well as a current 200 gross ton license.
A long time Grand Banks enthusiast, Brian’s current Grand Banks 49, Deception, has been in the NW Explorations charter fleet since 2001 and is used as the lead boat for our Mother Goose flotillas up the Inside Passage to Alaska. He has always been an active owner, doing most of his own maintenance.
Between 1966 and 2003 Brian, was involved with a successful business career, which included being CEO for 20 + years, and raising a family of five. In July of 2004, Brian and his wife, Carol, purchased the Bellingham facility of Grand Yachts Northwest and formed NW Explorations. Brian and Carol enjoy cruising the waters of the Pacific Northwest with their two rescued dogs, Mikey, NWE’s official office greeter and China, who’s just too darn cute!
“For as long as I can remember, my family and I have cruised the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. We’re familiar with many special harbors, small communities, great gourmet restaurants, secluded anchorages, unique shopping opportunities and whale watching spots. Here at NWE, we work with clients prior to their trip to determine their objectives; we’re available to assist in planning itineraries, provisioning lists, etc. as well as help to arrange for activities such as kayaking, fishing, crabbing, hiking, and sightseeing. Safety is always our primary concern followed by our consistent passion to provide you with the best possible experience cruising.”
Craig Cooper
Service Manager
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
Cell/Direct Line: 360-201-0178
Ccooper@nwexplorations.com
While spending much of my childhood on the East side of the North Cascades and the other part on the East side of Seattle, I didn’t really find my way to the water until after high school. After spending a short time in college I somehow found myself on the NOAA research ships working as a deckhand. I sailed aboard for 2 years between Antartica and Alaska and many points between. From there I was hooked. When I finally got off the boats, I started school at Western Washington University and continued part-time on the NOAA ships working in SE Alaska mapping the sea floor during my summers. Upon finishing school I started Cooper Marine Services after apprenticing under another marine rigger.
When not working, I spend my time with my wife Melissa, our daughter Hazel and our dogs Stakine and Banjo. My hobbies include sailboat racing, mountain biking, working on house projects, and spending time with friends.
Over the years, I have developed many long lasting relationships with our clients. Customers appreciate my upfront, honest, professional and low-key approach.
Alison Horne
Accountant & Office Manager
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
Alison.Horne@nwexplorations.com
Alison Horne joined our company in 2002, having owned her own company in a previous life and helped manage finances for several companies. She is also a pilot as well as received a B.S. in Business from Western Washington University. Alison breathes life into NWE by doing it all! She handles the finances, manages and books charters, manages our moorage, helps with sales whenever needed and manages the company for Brian when he is off leading our Mother Goose flotillas. If you’ve worked with NW Explorations, you have likely met and appreciated Alison as a person and for her amazing contribution to NW Explorations.
Alison has been around the water for most of her life, having grown up on sailboats. After joining NWE, she and Scott have owned a sailboat and four Grand Banks together, a 38′ Eastbay, 36′ Europa and two 46′ Classics. They have recently bought a two-seat Champ and are excited to fly her over to their property on Decatur Island. If you are visiting our dock, be sure to stop by and say hi but don’t be surprised if she offers you a glass of wine. 
Scott Blake
Managing Broker
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
Cell/Direct Line: 360-961-7028
Scott.Blake@nwexplorations.com
Scott Blake has worked for our company for over 19 years. He bought and lived aboard his first Grand Banks, a wood 36’ sedan, when he was 27. If there is any question about his love, respect and commitment to these ideal northwest cruising boats, since then, he has owned and restored a wood 32’, lived on a 36’ Europa, owned a 38’ Eastbay and two 46’ Classics. He has owned Grand Banks in charter and helped most of the present owners in the NW Explorations fleet buy their Grand Banks.
Scott has helped hundreds of people buy and sell Grand Banks over the last 18 years. He has enjoyed cruising and helping others cruise and experience the wonder, beauty and majesty that Mother Nature has to share in the Pacific Northwest.
What Scott appreciates most about working at NW Explorations is that when you come in our door looking for a boating experience, we truly have something to offer everyone, be it charter, instruction, charter ownership or private purchase. We want to help you find the best fit for your needs, desires and dreams. We aren’t going to just try to sell you a boat, and our charterers and owners have really appreciated that low key honest approach.
Ken Bowles
Broker – Seattle based
Fax: 360-676-9059
Cell/Direct Line: 206-554-1642
Ken.Bowles@nwexplorations.com
Ken is no stranger to the water, having first started his boating career at the young age of 5 on the lakes and rivers surrounding his hometown of Atlanta, GA. He would boat the ICW to South Florida and across via Lake Okeechobee to Ft. Myers beach and spent several summers chartering sail and power boats in the Virgin Islands and Bahamas.
Ken’s wife, Cheri, also grew up on the water on the Midwestern lakes and the Mississippi river. They made the move to Seattle in 2002 with their 10-month old daughter and in 2003 their family grew again with twin girls. Ken has recently received his OUPV Coast Guard license and they currently cruise the waters of Puget Sound, San Juan and Gulf Islands with plans to venture further north as work and school schedules allow. They are committed to instilling in their children the same love and respect of boating and the water that they were gifted with from their parents.
Ken’s other interests include architecture, travel, backpacking, camping, kayaking, sports cars, photography, performing arts, good food and wine. We are excited to expand our presence to Seattle and very much look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with Ken. We are thrilled to have him onboard!
Kris Shammel
Broker
Fax: 360-676-9059
Cell/Direct Line: 360-920-7058
Kris.Shammel@nwexplorations.com
“Life is better on the water” has been a mantra to Kris since he was 10 years old when he began boating with his family on the Puget Sound. After having left home to go to college and start a career, Kris went without boating for an agonizing 10 years. His hunger for life on the water held strong, and when his parents offered to give their 1974, 35’ wooden trawler that was literally sinking and rotting from the inside out, he didn’t have to think twice before accepting the offer. It took Kris and his wife, Lena, several years of blood, sweat and tears to complete the restoration into a beautiful boat which is fondly named, Wee. Now, with their two little boys, Isaac and Eddie, Kris and Lena are able to share the magic found while boating in the Pacific Northwest.
Kris came to NWE looking for a career working near his passion, the marine world. He knew that joining such a professional and friendly group of people would not only be satisfying and fulfilling, but fun and full of adventures along the way. His helpfulness and kind nature make him a welcome addition to the NWE family.
David Carnahan
Maintenance Manager
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
Cell/Direct Line: 360-319-1540
David.Carnahan@nwexplorations.com
David has grown up around work boats, fishing and crabbing off of the Oregon and Washington Coast. He joined the army where he learned Generator Mechanics and moved to Germany where he lived for almost 8 years. While in Germany, David studied International Studies and Computer programming outside of Stuttgart and became fluent in German. After moving back to the states, David crabbed and cut trees for a living until joining NW Explorations in 2005 as their Maintenance Manager.
David loves to push himself both mentally and physically, having road raced in both Germany and the US and competed in 3 Ironman’s. He has an extreme passion for the outdoors which includes traveling, cruising, mountain biking, snowboarding, rock climbing, and hiking. David also enjoys tinkering on his bikes, car, and of course, Grand Banks.
Emmelina Mojica
Office Administrator & Senior Naturalist
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
Emmelina.Mojica@nwexplorations.com
Emmelina received a BS with a marine biology emphasis from Western Washington University in 1993. She has worked at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor as well as the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) in Monterey, CA. At the aquarium, she taught school groups about marine science and conservation and developed special discovery labs to complement ocean studies students were learning in school. She collected live animals in the field and led aquarium member programs including hiking adventures, whale watching and kayak trips. After moving back to Bellingham she interpreted wildlife and local natural history aboard a whale watch boat. She then came to NW Explorations in 2006 and has served as naturalist aboard the Mother Goose guided flotillas to Alaska. During the off season she helps out with administrative projects in the NWE office. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her nine year old daughter and going to Bikram yoga.
Elvira Lindsay
Director of Housekeeping
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
elalindsay@gmail.com
El is in charge of NWE’s Housekeeping Management. We take an extreme pride in our boats appearance and El’s tremendous attention to detail and thoroughness ensures our charterers leave happy in a spotless and beautiful Grand Banks. Born in Germany, El was raised on Long Island, NY, and grew up enjoying fishing and lobstering in Long Island Sound. She moved out to the Pacific Northwest to build a home on Vashon Island in 1988 until eventually moving up to Bellingham and starting her own business. El joined the NW Exploration’s family in 2006 and has worked her wonders ever since. You can find her on most weekends running around on the docks but good luck pinning her down or trying to keep up with her!
Amy Pemberton
Marketing Manager
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
apemberton@nwexplorations.com
Amy joined our family in 2010. She has grown up cruising on Grand Banks including trips to Catalina Island, throughout the Chesapeake, up the Pacific Coast, and, of course, the San Juan Islands. Moving here from New England, Amy completed her MBA and is working as our key marketing person. Amy loves the outdoors and being on the water (must be that Pisces in her!), and although she is a transplant to the Pacific Northwest, she still remains loyal to the Red Sox. If ever in the area, feel free to drop in and ask Amy to see some of the amazing photos and slide shows from our Mother Goose flotillas.
Christina Hornett
Administrative Assistant
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
chornett@nwexplorations.com
Christina joins NWE after escaping 15 years in the chaotic life as a Medical Assistant. Her search for a career that would bring her a wonderful cache of co-workers, warm doggies to greet her at the door, and a joyful group of boat lovers is now over. While being new to the boating world, she has always felt the need to live near water. Years ago as a student at the University of Washington she could be found studying (aka daydreaming) near the water’s edge. The juggling of numerous responsibilities and being a “Jill-of-all-trades” was essential to her work in the medical field and Christina brings this energy and eagerness to NWE. She finds great joy in having “Things To Do” lists and a grand sense of accomplishment when marking the Done box. The crew at NWE will gladly push the joy her way!!
When not in the office you can find Christina enjoying the Bellingham outdoors with her partner Brian and his son Isaak. Her love of their dog Rusty is the only reason you will find her walking him in the wee hours of the morning when he decides to wake up the household. A collector of cookbooks, she loves to enjoy good food and the company of close friends. Her love of literature is apparent as most evenings she has her nose in a book. When feeling more adventurous she takes on a knitting project, but not without wine in hand!
Jason Reid
Service Technician
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
jreid@nwexplorations.com
Jason came to Washington from Illinois to attend Western Washington University. Drawn to the northwest by the combination of mountains and water he quickly decided that this was where he would call home. With a knack for all things mechanical and an eye for detail he found himself on a crew refitting a 90 foot yacht. The combination of being on the water, along with the diverse and complex systems found on a boat, he knew he had found his calling. From there he went to work for a local boat manufacturer as a rigger commissioning new boats and increased his skill set. Following that he went to work for Cooper Marine Services installing more complicated systems and commissioning larger yachts where his attention to detail set his work apart from the rest.
When not at work Jason can be found on his mountain or road bike, hiking traveling and exploring with his wife Jenny, or tinkering with one of his many projects in his shop.
“I look forward to the challenges yet to come as we work together at making the dreams and the impossible a reality for out clients and customers.”
Brian Hinson
Service Technician
Office Phone: 360-676-1248
Fax: 360-676-9059
bhinson@nwexplorations.com
Born and raised in the northwest, Brian knew at a very young age that he enjoyed “tinkering” on things. Mechanical knowledge came naturally and from very early on he began working on motorcycles, tractors, and pretty much anything he could get his hands on. He moved to Bellingham for college where he received a computer support degree at Whatcom Community College. Brian loves a challenge, the research and the work it takes to get things done. He has a seven year background in fleet maintenance and diesel engine work. Though new to the boating world, Brian is quickly learning all about boats and their various systems. Brian is looking forward to working and learning with his peers and maintaining NW Explorations’ fleet as well as the rest of the boating community in and around Bellingham. When not working Brian spends his time with his son Isaak and his life partner Christina. Brian enjoys mountain biking, ski to sea racing, hiking and anything else in the outdoors.
Mikey Dog, Chill Master
Mikey Dog was rescued by Brian and Carol, after he was found on the side of the road, covered in mud, beaten, and abandoned. After working with him to not be frightened by a simple hand movement, Mikey has become a happy and very loyal addition of the Pemberton and NWE pack. Mikey is known for his chill attitude and loving demeanor. He has become a staple at NW Explorations and loves to greet guests at the office as well as trot along our docks gathering head scratches from all our Grand Banks boaters.
China Dog
After the unfortunate loss of our beloved Panda, China found her way into the Pemberton Pack and into our hearts. She came to us as a 5 month old puppy and is full of life with a very sweet demeanor. China has immediately taken on the role of play buddy for Mikey as they love to wrestle and play tug o’ woof together. China uses Mikey as a jungle gym, crawling all over him while nibbling on his ears. She brings a fantastic energy to the office and is working on getting her sea legs.
Abby Dog
Meet Abby – the newest member of the NWE Pack! Abby was recently adopted by Amy from a local shelter and is 10-months old. She is SUPER sweet, playful, and smart. She absolutely loves to go for walks, meet new people and other doggies, and she’s a sucker for rubdowns. Having been fairly isolated most of her life, she is excitedly experiencing many of life’s firsts and we’re thrilled to be able to experience them with her. China has taken on the responsibility of showing Abby how to be a puppy and chase each other as fast as possible in circles. Mikey is appreciative of the chance to take a break and nap now that China is distracted. Come meet Abby as she would love to welcome you to NWE but be careful, she may try to go with you on your charter!
Meisha Dog, Alpha Diva
RIP Meisha – you will be missed. Meisha was rescued from an animal shelter by owners, Brian and Carol, and is the alpha female and diva of the pack. She is stoic, strong willed and very much the mother hen. She has an uncanny ability to mediate other dogs around her without barking, growling, or raising a paw. She loves and is quite at home on the water. She enjoys going on kayak rides and just wishes she had opposable thumbs so she could paddle herself.
Panda Dog, Snuffle Snorter
RIP Panda – You will be missed. Panda was rescued by Brian and Carol from a neglectful home. Unfortunately, due to the neglect, Panda has gone mostly blind at her young age of 3. She is a little skittish and makes lots of strange noises and snuffle snorts, letting people know she’s there. Panda is a purebred Shar-pei and contrary to what many say, she is fully evolved and not prehistoric – that’s just how her face is. With a lot of dedicated work, Brian & Carol are making great strides in socializing this adorable little dog and Panda is very grateful for the much needed attention- as is expressed by the wag of her little pig tail and a head butt.