Silversea Cruises appoints its first female captain

AUGUST 30, 2013 — For the first time in the cruise line’s nearly 20-year history, a woman captain is in command of a Silversea Cruises ship.

The ultra-luxury line, which operates a fleet of six ships, recently reported that it had promoted Margrith Ettlin to the position of captain.

Captain Margrith Ettlin

A Swiss national with extensive maritime experience in remote regions, including the Arctic and Antarctica, Captain Ettlin assumed control of the 132-passenger expedition ship Silver Explorer on August 7, in Reykjavik. Her first tour of duty as captain will extend into October.

Christian Sauleau, Silversea’s executive vice president of fleet operations, said: “We’re very pleased and proud to extend this promotion to Captain Ettlin. Although we’re not the first cruise company to have a female captain, we hope Captain Ettlin’s achievement will inspire other women to pursue careers at sea.”

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  Hapag Lloyd.