The Team that makes the Voyage!

Rex Warner

A professional explorer, Rex has organised and led many international maritime expeditions.

"For ten years i've dreamed of retracing the remarkable voyages of Admiral Zheng He. Thanks to the support of Sir Edward Heath, COSCO (China's largest shipping company) and many other supporters and sponsors, this dream has been turned into reality. A big thank you especially to the team described below ..."

Nikki Alford

"I was asked to oversee a major refit of Precious Dragon in Hong Kong and have stayed on as first mate. Each crew member is a character from Winnie the Pooh - Rex is the Wise Owl, Kevin is Eeyore, Magnus is Tigger, Steve is Pooh, and I'm Christopher Robin ! Let's go off on an expedition !" Nikki now sails her own ship Bessie-Ellen!

Steve Hawksley

"I'm on board as sailor and odd job man, to sail the boat and help keep everything working! I spent several years crewing and restoring sailing ships but have been working ashore for last ten years. At present on leave from a job as a CDT technician at Northgate School, Ipswich.  I'm taking this opportunity to go on another adventure - sailing a junk in a part of the world I've never visited".

Kevin Grist

"My role on board is to take care of all the mechanical systems. When not working on these, I spend a lot of time with my head in the bilges; fitting water pumps, clearing limber holes and getting very dirty. All enjoyable stuff...".

Magnus Ström
(xBerglund)

http://ma.gnus.nu/

"I'm here to keep this site alive, tell the story of Zheng He's voyages over the Internet, and manage the on board electrical systems. I met Rex on board the brig Maria Asumpta nine years ago, and have had nothing but joy out of sailing since. This is the first time I've signed on for a long trip - something I've wanted to do for the last few years. Once back home in Sweden, I hope to resume working with Reuters at the forefront of IT, carry on with my sailing tickets, Briggen Tre Kronor, and have a full season of sweeping the mountains on telemark skis".

Christmas

Christmas joined us before we left the Aberdeen Boat Club, where he had a very good upbringing. He is always there whenever we have any trouble at all. He was the only crew member that was allowed into Qui Nhon without paying a fine for illegal entry; although it took half an hour to convince the police that Christmas didn't need a shore pass to go ashore!