Thomas Marks

Operating in Antarctica, I took a job role with Intrepid down in Antarctica in order to progress in to training roles within the expedition industry.

• Leading hiking and zodiac trips
• Running zodiac operations on the water
• Training new guides for zodiac driving
• Training and assessing guides for PTGA
• Ice safety guide - Leading hikes and assessing avalanche and glaciated terrain for operations
• Camping and snowshoeing
• Head of crevasse rescue response team
• Running workshops and delivering recaps and educational programs
• I also work with the research teams that come onboard as a guide on glaciers or zodiac driving for marine research teams

During my time on board I also had the chance to work two seasons with the WWF whale research team driving for them as they tagged whales in Antarctica

My first job onboard with expedition ships was with Silversea. I operated tours all over the world from the Arctic, South America, The Baltic, Mediterranean and Africa. My responsibilities on board included.

• Leading zodiac tours
• PTGA Assessments
• Ice safety guide - Assessing avalanche and crevasse terrain for operations
• Training drivers
• Leading Hikes
• Giving interpretive talks and Recap presentations
• Helping with guest bookings and enquiries

During lockdown, I sought jobs in landscaping and construction before finding a job after lockdown back in hospitality. The role was for a duty manager role for an operator who offered BBQ boat and hot tub tours in Canary Wharf.

• Scheduling team working hours
• Giving safety briefings and lessons on how to operate the boats
• Cleaning and maintenance roles
• Cash handling
• Stock-taking and ordering

While I was working with dogs in Sweden I was contacted about a role in Iceland to get back into glacier guiding

• Leading hiking and climbing trips on the glacier
• Participating in regular training programs
• Running crevasse rescue courses
• Coordinating trips and planning routes

While continuing on my career in adventure tourism I was offered a job guiding and training huskies in Sweden.

• Caring for the dogs
• Planning and running training sessions for the dogs
• Maintenance work i.e fixing sleds, vehicles and other equipment
• Running tours, from 2 hour trips and day trips to multi-day tours
• Training new staff and apprentices
• Planning and mapping routes for trips.

After finishing my first season in New Zealand, I decided to travel further and explore new opportunities. Through contacts in my time working in New Zealand I was recommended for a guide role in Norway, Where I would help build a zodiac guiding programme as well as guide hikes and ice climbing trips.

• Leading Kayak tours
• Leading glacier hikes and ice climbs
• Leading mountain hikes
• Running motorboat tours
• Maintenance work i.e
• Fixing of kayaks and motors
• Taking overnight trips
• Providing training in crevasse rescue and other emergency scenarios
• Planning and running training sessions on driving zodiacs and water rescue scenarios

After finishing my ski season at Mt Hutt, my boss recommended me to her friend in Mt Cook for the opportunity to drive motorboats on a glacial lake in Mt Cook New Zealand. This was my first job role as a guide and I worked 2 seasons there working my way up to a team leader position.

• Taking Motorboat tours on Tasman Lake
• Co-ordinating trips for the team
• Registering hazards and weather reports
• Training new members of staff to drive boats and lead trips
• Maritime emergency training scenarios i.e man overboard
• Maintenance on the boats and running checks every month