Our Crew

In the company of experts

Wilfred Chivell

Owner of Marine Dynamics

Wilfred Chivell can be described in many ways – charismatic, dynamic, naturalist, visionary, rough diamond, entrepreneur and shrewd business man . . . and they all fit him like a glove. But beneath a tough outer veneer is a softie who gets all mushy and poetic about a petite little bird and who will not hesitate to put his life at risk to rescue an endangered animal.

Hennie Otto

Skipper & General Manager

General Manager and Skipper Hennie Otto regards his vast responsibilities as captain of the crew as “a full-time paid holiday and a way of life” rather than a job. A versatile all-rounder who also boasts in-depth knowledge of seabirds (both vagrants and residents) and a fundi with cameras, Hennie is the guy to help you set your camera for those once in a lifetime shots.

Shaun van Tonder

Skipper

Skipper Shaun van Tonder is captain of the crew on Slashfin. Shaun is often found assisting the crew on Slashfin and will be sure to enjoy his quick wit and passion for sharks.

Alison Towner

Marine biologist DICT, PhD Candidate

Alison graduated from UK’S Bangor University in 2006 with a BSc Hons degree in Marine biology. She joined the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, South Africa, in January 2007 and has remained on site ever since! Alison has worked extensively with the media and her research has been featured with National Geographic, BBC, Discovery channel among various other productions. The latest program Alison co-hosted ‘Air Jaws: The Hunted’ followed the intriguing and unprecedented events of orca predation on white sharks in South Africa.

Dickie Chivell

All Rounder

You might have seen him on Shark Week doing crazy stunts with Great White Sharks, now learn more about Dickie Chivell behind the scenes.

Michelle Jewell

Alumni Biologist

Michelle Jewell specialised in animal behaviour during her undergraduate Zoology degree. Her MSc focused on the behavioural ecology between the Great white sharks and Cape fur seals. She was supervised by Prof. Justin O’Riain and Dr. Alta de Vos of the University of Cape Town and supported by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. Michelle is currently a Lecturer and Chief Science Communicator at NC State University, and a Research Associate at Michigan State University Museums

Aletta van Bosch

Reservations

Aletta is our reservations expert who will ensure your booking is handled smoothly and swiftly. She will also be there to welcome you as you arrive.

Khwezi Baleni

Decoy Master

Khwezi Baleni is a qualified marine wild life tour guide and used to be the “doctor” on board the whale watching boat Whale Whisperer for more than 4 years before he joined the shark cage diving team on Slashfin a year ago.

Jan du Toit

Skipper

Skipper Jan du Toit was born and raised in Gansbaai. He truly loves the sea and was once a commercial diamond diver, involved in the commercial fishing industry, and then joined the shark cage diving world in 2010.

Mawethu Phalamahashe

Chum Handler

Nicknamed Bruce after well-known Bafana Bafana soccer player Bruce Ramogida of the early 90’s, Mawethu Phalamahashe (32) traded his job at a construction site for the open seas a mere three months ago. Bruce and Khwezi were school friends in Umtata and after working in the construction business for a while, Bruce joined the Slashfin crew in August 2011.

Clarence Ngcwembe

Videographer

Clarence is our professional videographer on board Slashfin. He joined Fasttrax Marine in 2005 filming the Marine Big Five™ including Southern Right Whales from on board our very own whale watching vessel the Whale Whisperer. He became a crew member in 2008 and continues to help out with all duties on board including anchor lifting and helping divers with wetsuits.

Benz

Benz has worked on shark boats for years and joined Marine Dynamics at the start of 2022. Benz is the boat manager and assists wherever he is needed on Slashfin.

Alfred

Bait Handler

Alfred was born and raised in the Eastern Cape, where most of his family still resides.

Onno Keller

Alumni Marine Biologist

Onno was born in Dordrecht, The Netherlands and moved to Utrecht after high school to study Biology at the University of Utrecht. After graduating with a Bachelor of Biology from the University of Utrecht he decided it was time to go abroad before he would start a Master’s degree in Oceanography at the University of Amsterdam.