CREW

From Dorset, UK

 

Philip Beale is an adventurer, maritime history enthusiast, author and public speaker.

 

Philip undertook his first international expedition at the age of 18 when he won a place on Operation Drake sailing on ship Eye of the Wind from Fiji and Papua New Guinea in 1979.

​

He read Politics at the University of Hull before joining the Royal Navy. Then, in 2003, after a 12 year career in the City of London, Philip pursued a project focussing on Indonesian cultural influence on Africa, through the building of a double outrigger vessel, which he then successfully sailed from Indonesia to West Africa via Madagascar and the Cape of Good Hope. The Borobudur Ship Expedition (Aug 2003- Feb 2004) was a voyage that some professional sailors’ thought was too dangerous and would be impossible to achieve in such a limited vessel. In 2005 he was honoured by Indonesian President, Megawati, for Services to Indonesian Culture for leading the Borobudur Ship Expedition.

​

In 2005 Philip conceived the idea of recreating the first circumnavigation of Africa by the Phoenicians as recorded by Greek historian Herodotus. After 3 years of research the Phoenicia was launched in 2008 at the start of the Phoenicia Ship Expedition. The recreation of the Phoenician circumnavigation of Africa was completed in October 2010 - arguably the longest voyage in a replica of an ancient ship in distance and time in modern history.

Continuing the theme of the Phoenicians being the greatest of the ancient sailors, the 2019 the Phoenicians Before Columbus Expedition was launched to look at whether the Phoenicians could have reached the Americas before the Vikings and Columbus, by sailing the Phoenicia across the Atlantic. Progress of the expedition can be found here. 

​

When not on expedition, Philip is an owner and director of off the beaten track adventure and wildlife company Pioneer Expeditions.

​

He also undertakes speaking engagements in the UK and internationally on his Phoenician and other adventures and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Scientific Exploration Society.

From Jakarta, Indonesia

 

"I love getting to know the crew of  many different backgrounds and making new friendships with all those we visit on our way."

 

Phoenicians Before Columbus benefits from Aziz's expedition experience, including Philip's First Phoenicia Ship Expedition and the Borobudor Ship Expedition.

Brazilian/Italian

 

Yuri lives in Brazil, in a sustainable house.  "I'm here to document the expedition, also to promote the Clean Seas Campaign and represent the NY Explorer's Club."

 

Yuri has significant sailing experience, having lived aboard  sailboards with his wife Vera for 12 years . He also spent time as a diving instructor in Japan, has written several publications about sailing, history, TV and cinema producing and has been a filmmaker since 1998. Despite all this Yuri says "the crew may prefer my skills to make bread and pizzas on this long leg."

From Lebanon.

 

Sheimaa has been instrumental in the planning of the Phoenicians Before Columbus Expedition and we are delighted she has also been able to join the crew. 

​

"I am thrilled to be on board especially because the journey will shed some light on the cultural heritage of my country, Lebanon"

From New York and Utah, USA

 

Boyd hopes that the expedition will enable him to gather information for his book, "In the Footsteps of Mulek" in which he seeks to examine the possibility that Israelites from Jerusalem were capable of reaching America by means of Phoenician sailing vessels around 600 BC, a claim put forward in the Book of Mormon.  

55 years old, from Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

Leg: Tunisia to Gibraltar.

 

"Sailing on the Phoenicia was an opportunity to connect with ancient maritime history, in a way that would not be possible otherwise. It was also a great way to share a unique adventure with my son Carson."

From Saskatchewan, Canada

 

"Home for me is 2000km+ from any ocean. I've been to +60 countries in 6 continents including Antarctica but nothing compares to this!  The apex of my travels!"

​

Having had a taste of Phoenicia during her circumnavigation of Africa, it's been great having Ray on board again and to have his continuing support.

From London, England

 

Max signed up for "the thrill of the adventure painted beneath starry nights and sunny skies!"

 

Having recently graduated in Zoology, Max also hopes it will be an ideal opportunity to see an abundance of marine life.  As a keen musician,  he's also hoping to fill the long nights with some harmonised sea shanties!

From London, UK

​

Describes himself as 'an old man of the sea!'

​

"Great to share in this historic expedition, showing Columbus was not the first to cross the Atlantic."

From Tunisia

​

"I have been fascinated by archaeology and the history of civilizations since childhood.

 

When I met the crew of Phoenicia at Port Gammarth, something in me was inspired to be on the ship. Something told me I had to be with this crew that impressed me from the moment I met them."

From the UK

​

Clary manages the Expedition's administration and website.

​

"I'm delighted to be involved in such an inspired adventure.  Fingers crossed the achievement will boost further archaeological and academic research into Philip's theory."

​