The Crew

The Pacific Yellowfin is owned and ran by Captain Colin Griffinson with his crew of four. Each of them is dedicated to offering guests the cruise they have dreamed of, and even beyond. Colin is highly entertaining and makes guests feel relaxed and safe, Chef Milan is a creme de la creme in the galley, the debonair Sebastien pairs perfectly Milan's creations with local wines, the extensively travelled Dominic accompanies guests on all activities and Chief Engineer Jack, the curator of the 1920s Twin Atlas Imperial engines recounts zany stories from his 50 years at sea. Guests also benefit from the expertise of the even more local people: local artisans, local wildlife scientists and First Nations guides.

Every detail was perfect. Each and every crew member was outstanding in their unique, yet all encompassing expertise. Hats off to you Colin for having good karma and management style that attracts people of that caliber.

Susan Campbell, California, Desolation Sound 2011

Captain Colin Griffinson

Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

As the Captain and co-owner of the Pacific Yellowfin with his wife, Colin delivers unique luxurious private yacht cruises along the BC coast. As a long-time sufferer of “wooden boat disease”, his love of the water started in childhood in Dublin’s busy DunLaoighre Harbour. From his early experience on fishing trawlers in the North and Irish seas to his first boat, a 72-foot seiner, his passion for boats has spanned more than five decades.

Colin has cruised the BC coast for more than twenty years and his love of the sea and interest in people make him incredibly knowledgeable of all fishing hot spots, beautiful hikes and secret waterfalls. Numerous guests have commented on Colin’s sense of humour and storytelling abilities, with “kids” of all ages enjoying his tales. His mastery over the 140ft long Pacific Yellowfin makes our guests feel utterly safe.

When he’s not working in Colin Griffinson Inc., his Vancouver-based painting and decorating company, Colin can often be found tinkering aboard the Pacific Yellowfin, having a Guinness or our own Pacific Yellowfin Ale.

Milan Kocourek

Birthplace: Brno, Czech Republic.

As an adventurous 18-year-old, Milan began his professional cooking career in Ottawa, Canada. After 16 years of life in Eastern Canada, he migrated west in search of inspiring culinary education and to indulge his love of extreme sports. He has worked at some of the West Coast’s foremost restaurants including two Relais Gourmand properties:

Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel,
Lumiere, where he worked with well-known chef Rob Feenie

After several years in Vancouver, the siren call of Whistler lured him away where he honed his culinary skills as executive sous-chef of Araxi, voted best restaurant in Whistler several years running.

As the Pacific Yellowfin’s creative Executive Chef, he pushes the boundaries with new creations using fresh seafood, most often caught by our guests themselves. Milan’s generosity exudes in the flavor of his menus.

Sebastien Lagors

Birthplace: Murret, France.

Sebastien was born nearby Toulouse, South of France. He studied Hospitality in Perpignan and prestigious École Hôtelière de Tarbes.

His first working experience was a 6 months internship in Ireland which turned into 7 years. After working for the renowned K Club, a 5 star-hotel, Michelin-star award winner and host to the 2006 Ryder Cup. He managed to erase his French accent into a typical Irish one but still close to his roots, Sebastien opened a European cuisine restaurant with a partner. This led him to open four other restaurants under the name of LemonGrass, an up and coming fast fusion Asian cuisine.

Despite all this success, Sebastien’s energy and fondness for meeting new people took him on a three-year trip around the world. He worked here and there “to survive” but mostly enjoyed every second as he usually does.

He landed in Canada in 2006 and never left since then. He has worked as a GM for the acclaimed Chambar restaurant in Vancouver and at Araxi in Whistler, where he met Executive Chef Milan.

Sebastien is our wine expert and steward. His friendship with Executive Chef Milan is ideal for the culinary aspect of the cruises as they work very well together e.g. pairing wine and food. Though he is from France, Sebastien loves BC wines and is really keen on having our guests discover them.

Sebastien is a true people person and he is never cheap when it comes to sharing a good laugh.

Dominic Giossan

Birthplace : Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Dominic was born in Spain but grew up in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Brazil before moving to Canada. He graduated from a combined BA in philosophy and political sciences and a Master’s degree in Law with a major in International Relations.

His love for the outdoors and other cultures led him to guiding hundreds of trips for Butterfield & Robinson as well as being a regional director and trip designer. Dominic has travelled all over the world, including the most unique destinations but if you ask him his favourite country, he will answer Switzerland “because everything is set and works like a charm!!”.

A few years back, Dominic came on board the Pacific Yellowfin for the first time as the guide for a Butterfield & Robinson Bespoke group. When the position of deck-hand was open this season, the Captain called Dominic and got him on board.

As a deck-hand, Dominic is in charge of all the toys we have on board and takes care of our guests’ safety while operating them. His favourite activity is going kayaking, whether at a leisure pace or at a more sporting level, for a “real workout!”.

Dominic is a guide book encyclopaedia on his own and listening to him describing a region with the respective accent is a pure delight! Ask him about Big Bend National Park in West Texas!

Jack Dixon

Birthplace: Victoria, BC, Canada.

With 50+ years of experience on the water, Jack has seen and heard it all. And if you can persuade him to, he’s got dozens of fascinating stories about life aboard coastal freighters and tankers along the BC coast.

Jack’s dry sense of humour and his resourcefulness are highly prized assets aboard the Pacific Yellowfin. His care and attention to the twin Atlas Imperial engines – and their exposed, hand-oiled push rods – is key to keeping these classic engines ticking away. He takes great pride in his spotless, but highly functional, engine room.

As he likes to remind our guests, you will always recognize him as he is the only one that washes his hands not only after but also before going to the washroom!

Our crew endeavors to go above & beyond our guests’ wishes. Their knowledge of the coast, experience on the water and incredible personalities are great assets of the journey aboard the Pacific Yellowfin. However, though always keen on sharing travel anecdotes or out of the ordinary happenings, they know when to vanish and let our guests relax, regenerate themselves and make the most of these magnificent landscapes.

Your crew are all fantastic!!! They certainly exude BC hospitality and charm.

Liz Howard, Fraser Yachts