Our Crew

In the company of experts

Wilfred Chivell

Owner of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust

Meet Wilfred Chivell: charismatic, dynamic, and a true naturalist. He’s a visionary entrepreneur and shrewd businessman, but beneath his rugged exterior lies a caring heart. Wilfred’s passion extends beyond business to the preservation of marine wildlife. Whether he’s rescuing endangered species or waxing poetic about a tiny bird, his compassion shines through, reflecting his unwavering commitment to marine wildlife conservation.

Hennie Otto

Chief Operational Officer & Skipper

Meet Hennie Otto, our COO and Skipper extraordinaire! To him, steering the ship isn’t just a job – it’s a perpetual vacation with a side of adventure. With a knack for navigating the high seas and a passion for seabirds (whether they’re locals or just passing through), Hennie’s your go-to guru for all things marine and avian. Plus, he’s a camera whiz, ready to help you capture those epic, once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Wiehann Myburgh

Skipper

Meet Wiehann, a seasoned skipper with 24 years of thrilling shark cage diving adventures in the bay. Safety is his first priority as he navigates the ocean with expertise honed over decades. Operating in the Cape of Storms, Wiehann ensures a secure and unforgettable experience for all. Join him as he shares his innate love for marine wildlife.

Dickie Chivell

Skipper

You might have seen him on Shark Week doing crazy stunts with Great White Sharks, now learn more about Dickie Chivell behind the scenes.
Dickie Chivell, son of CEO Wilfred Chivell, is a skilled skipper, commercial diver, and scuba instructor. With a passion for marine conservation, he’s an expert on the Marine Big Five of Gansbaai’s Dyer Island Nature Reserve. Dickie’s photography and video journalism capture the essence of marine life.

Susy Alexandersen

Senior Marine Guide

Susy hails from the coastal fjords of northern Norway, where her love affair with the ocean began. Since 2013, she’s been chasing her dream of meeting great white sharks, leading her to South Africa’s shores. Susy returned in 2014 as a volunteer with the Marine Dynamics Academy and returned for multiple visits. She became a regular fixture, joining the Marine Dynamics crew in 2019. Now, as Senior Guide on Slashfin, she’s your go-to for all things shark-related. Additionally, she is also a frequent diver and loves to share her knowledge about sharks and the ocean.

Amy Webber

Marine Biologist

Amy, a marine biologist from South Africa, brings a wealth of knowledge in elasmobranch distribution and identification, having pursued Marine Biology at the undergraduate level and Tropical Marine Biology for her master’s in the UK. Joining us as a Marine Dynamics Academy Intern in 2022, exploring the use of photo-ID as a mark-recapture method for benthic catsharks in South Africa. Today, Amy not only contributes to our shark cage diving guiding team but also spearheads the coordination of intern activities within our skills-based scientific internship programme, nurturing the next generation of marine scientists.

Grainne Perryman

Visiting Marine Biologist

Grainne, a passionate Marine Scientist hailing from Ireland, embarked on her journey with us as a Marine Dynamics Academy Intern in 2022. For her Bachelor’s project, she focused on Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs), unravelling mysteries beneath the waves. Since 2023, Grainne has been guiding our shark cage diving boats, all the while collecting invaluable species data and capturing ID photography. But her thirst for knowledge doesn’t stop there; this year, she’ll be diving even deeper into the realm of Marine Top Predator Ecology, pursuing her Master’s Degree.

Mandlonke Ngazini (Mandla)

Boat Manager

Mandla is one of our most experienced crew members, having worked within the shark cage diving industry for over 20 years as a bait handler and crew. Originally from the Eastern Cape, Mandla has been a valuable part of the Marine Dynamics team for 3 years. He loves working with sharks as each day is never the same, the variability and excitement are what makes him passionate about his role.

Mphumzi Magunxu (Alfred)

Bait Handler

Originally from the Eastern Cape, Alfred forms part of the crew and bait handling team and has been with Marine Dynamics for 14 years, a core member of the family here! With an additional 7 years of experience prior, it’s clear to see he has a love for South Africa’s shark species and a passion to continuously learn about and protect them. As a bait handler, Alfred appreciates all sharks but particularly enjoys interacting with the Great white sharks.

Luthando Mcotama (Thando)

Chum Master

Originating from Libode, Thando started his career in the shark cage diving industry with Marine Dynamics 3 years ago. As chum master, Thando ensures the sharks in the area are able to locate the cage diving vessel. Being able to work with sharks is a dream come true for him, and the more he spends time with them, the more his appreciation for these animals grows.

Bongisile Sidazi (Louis)

Deckhand

From Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, Louis joined Marine Dynamics in 2023. He originally gained experience on shark cage diving vessels in 2016 and forms a critical part of our crew. Whilst his favourite animal is the Great white shark he appreciates all marine animals that we are able to witness from our vessels.

Ngonidzashe Gwinya (Bryan)

Deck Hand

Bryan has been a crew member on the shark cage diving vessels of Marine Dynamics since 2023, with 3 years of prior experience. Bryan is our all-rounder, ensuring our trips are enjoyable for guests and crew alike. He has a love for all sharks but particularly enjoys when the resident Cape fur seals of Geyser Rock pay a visit to our shark cage diving vessels.

Vuyisile Mpini (Bee)

Videographer

Bee is our videographer on the shark cage diving boats, best known for his infectious energy and sense of humour. His love for the ocean inspired him to join the industry in 2010, before joining Marine Dynamics in 2017. Originally from the Eastern Cape, his favourite animal to witness onboard our shark cage diving vessels is none other than the Great White shark.

Tobile Nomandela (Benz)

Boat Logistics Manager

Benz is our boat logistics manager who has used his sea legs on shark boats for years, honing his expertise in the maritime realm. Joining Marine Dynamics in 2022, he seamlessly transitioned from boat manager to shore, taking charge of logistics. Behind the scenes, Benz orchestrates a symphony of operations, ensuring that every detail on land runs as smoothly as the waves beneath Slashfin. Benz continues to ensure that every expedition is a seamless adventure from dock to dive.