by 
Interview conducted by Kevin Huo (STEMSEAS Particpant)
Kevin: Hi Captain! Got time for an interview?
Captain: Yeah!
Kevin: Your name is?
Captain: Captain Eric Piper.
Kevin: Background?
Captain: California Maritime Academy – Majored in Marine Transportation
I have been with the Sikuliaq since October of 2015 as the chief mate. Then, in May of 2017 became the Captain.
Kevin: How is the job as a Captain?
Captain: This job is a great job, get to see different people from mostly science, but it’s always a changing of people. So, that is the nice thing about it. You’re not stuck with the same 21 people on a tanker that I have worked on before.
Kevin: Captain’s are the coolest guy, the old man, the one true leader, but how do you feel when others call out your name?
Captain: Having sailed for a while, I’m not sure, most Captains I have met are generally older. Other captains have been around for a long time, but, being only 33 years old it is hard to put myself in the shoes of a 60-year-old captain that I have sailed with. It is sometimes weird hearing it, but it often reminds me of all the work I have put in the last 10 years and it is nice to hear. But, I am not your typical captain. That is the best way to put it.
Kevin: What type of Captain are you?
Captain: I am a new age, fair captain, run of a tight ship, but, also a pretty a loose ship at the same time. Guys who work with me like working for me and that has been a big aspect of sailing. Oftentimes sailing for captains who are difficult was not the type of captain I wanted to be. Having sailed with 22 captains throughout my career, you get to choose what you like from each and I have tried to mold those into the way I do things.
Kevin: Favorite Color?
Captain: Orange.
Kevin: Favorite Dishes on the Sikuliaq?
Captain:Chocolate Chip Cookies / Mexican Day
Kevin: Being a captain there are many experiences you have throughout your career, any stories of maritime feats, difficulties, or dangers to tell?
Captain: The most recent story was our trip that we are on right now and we almost didn’t get off the dock. At the start of the trip at one point I was about 2 minutes away from saying alright let’s tie back up, but luckily, we got off the dock. You guys didn’t know, you guys were inside, but we worked through it.
My favorite cruise so far as we were in San Diego working for the Navy, we were working with small boats and underwater drones specifically with regards to science.
Kevin: How long do you want to be a Captain?
Captain: I enjoy working at sea. It may be until I start a family or until I would rather be at home than at sea. But you never know what life is going to give you and I hope to continue as long as I can.
Kevin: For those who want to be Captain or want to join a program like STEMSEAS or get on a boat what is the biggest tip that you can give to them?
Captain: I would say if you are interested in maritime activities to participate and start from the bottom and work your way up. It is a field that is available through one of the 6 or 7 maritime academies where you can participate in a 4-year program of obtaining a Bachelor of Science. Many top-paying jobs are a result of it. It is a worthy field to continue in and the way to go.
Kevin: What is a saying you mention to motivate your crew-members?
Captain: To be decided.
Thank You Captain Eric Piper for having us STEMSEAS, Thank You crew-members of the R/V Sikuliaq for taking on this journey.
