For the first time in its nearly 20-year history, a female captain is at the helm of a Silversea ship. The cruise line has promoted Margrith Ettlin to the position of captain. A Swiss national with extensive maritime experience in remote regions, including the Arctic and Antarctica, Captain Ettlin assumed control of the 132-guest expedition ship Silver Explorer on August 7 in Reykjavik. Her first tour of duty as captain will extend into October.
Prior to joining Silversea as a staff captain in March 2010, Captain Ettlin worked for Germany’s F. Laeisz shipping group. Her maritime career also includes nearly nine years as a staff captain with the German shipping company Hapag Lloyd.