North Marine Management
At North Marine, we are first and foremost a company of dedicated, seafaring mariners.
Setting us apart from others in the field, 100% of our Management personnel have direct experience working in the industry.
North Marine Managers understand the unique challenges you face and are proud to offer outstanding expertise and regional knowledge.
We strive to develop an excellent working relationship with you so that every job runs with streamlined efficiency.
Because our Managers have key industry contacts, North Marine may also be able to provide assistance with administrative approvals, project and logistics planning.
All enquiries are managed punctually, and you can expect excellent communication throughout your project.
Meet North Marine’s Management
Highly respected throughout the industry for their depth of knowledge are Managing Directors and co-owners Ben Hales and Courtney Hansen.
Owner & Director – Ben Hales
Marine Operations Manager
Ben Hales is the Marine Operations Manager for the North Marine Group.
Ben oversees day-to-day business activities, crewing/rostering, and job preparation and performance. In addition, he runs the internal asset management and maintenance schedules for the North Marine fleet of vessels, ensuring compliance and control measures across the fleet.
Ben is a seasoned managing director, vessel master, marine engineer and diver. He is well-regarded within the industry for his excellent technical, engineering and acute problem-solving abilities, along with an aptitude for planning and executing logistically challenging projects.
Ben has worked in the maritime industry for 20+ years. Through his extensive career, he was the General Manager for a major marine tourism operator on the Great Barrier Reef, has worked in the oil-and-gas industry in Gladstone, Darwin and Western Australia, has worked in the mining sector on large-scale tug and barge projects, and has performed international superyacht deliveries. He has travelled throughout Australia and internationally as vessel Master.
“Expanding infrastructure across the Pacific Region makes it an exciting time for our industry. Through North Marine’s network of local and international mariners, we are part of a community working together to ensure Australia is a leader in its field.” – Ben Hales.
Owner & Director – Courtney Hansen
Business Development
Courtney Hansen is a Master IV Skipper, diver and manager with thirteen years of experience in the marine services industry and nine years in the commercial sector. Under the previous owner, Courtney was a key crew member, working in the business before becoming an owner herself.
Courtney started her career in charter fishing and then as a dive boat Captain. Courtney was the first-ever permanent female Captain for Northern Australia’s largest freight shipping company. During her time there, Courtney was Master of a 50-meter, 1300-ton landing barge operating throughout the Eastern Seaboard, Torres Strait, Gulf of Carpentaria and Darwin.
In 2015 Courtney won the “Llyod List, Young Maritime Professional of the Year” award for achievements in the industry. In 2022 she won the Cairns Chamber of Commerce “Business Excellence Award – Emerging Leaders Division“.
As Business Development Manager, Courtney will be most clients’ first point of contact with North Marine.
Commercial Diving Supervisor – Ryan Kobelt
Heading the commercial dive division at North Marine is lead Commercial Dive Supervisor, Ryan Kobelt.
Ryan joined the North Marine family in 2015. He is an ADAS qualified commercial diver and ADAS Dive Supervisor. Ryan oversees many of North Marine’s commercial diving projects.
In addition to his diving skillset, Ryan is a seasoned marine engineer (MED I) and vessel master.
When not overseeing diving operations, he may be found operating vessels within the North Marine fleet or working on-site at North Wharf.
Ryan’s extensive resume of dive projects is too long to list. Still, it includes fly-in-fly-out assignments for the gas and oil industries, overseeing major Government and corporate contracts and working on countless in-water infrastructure projects.
Website Management & Administration – Lucy Davies
Lucy’s role entails the management of digital and media needs within the North Marine Group. This includes management of internal digital platforms, advertising materials, branding of company documents and other brand collateral that accurately reflect North Marine’s corporate identity.
Lucy further manages website maintenance and SEO. Lucy has extensive experience in the digital marketing space and has previously worked with a diverse range of tourism operators on their online marketing and driving traffic to their websites.
As well as having a degree in English Literature (BA Hons), Lucy is a qualified Marine Engineer (MEDII), certified Trainer and Assessor (Cert IV) and an experienced Dive Instructor.
Lucy spent her early career working for an international shipping company in the UK, both in administration and then as PA to the Director. Upon emigrating to Australia, she was a managing crew member aboard a liveaboard tourism vessel on the Great Barrier Reef. To the side of this, Lucy owned and operated a successful Training Organisation, teaching a suite of government-accredited courses to maritime professionals.