Whale Guide / Captain

Ellena Griffiths was introduced to the idea of Salt Cay while working on boats in Sitka, Alaska. Karen and Dirck were visiting Alaska with their family and Ellena was working her first job as a naturalist onboard a whale watching vessel! They exchanged contact information and 2 years later Ellena came to work for Salt Cay divers in February 2025. Ellena’s guiding experience has primarily been focused in Southeast Alaska and Maui as she followed the Pacific population of humpback whales between their breeding and feeding grounds. With her degree in Ecology, her passion is sharing the wonders of nature with guests and helping them find connection with the different ecosystems and species around them! You’ll probably notice Ellena always has her camera on her and when’s she not on the water, you can find her bird watching somewhere on the island! Ellena grew up in Oklahoma and Texas, so working on the water was never something she imagined doing, but now she can’t picture herself spending time anywhere else! Ellena has her USCG 50 Ton Masters captain license, STCW Basic Training certification, and is Open Water Dive Certified 

Natalie Boivin grew up on the coast of Rhode Island. She spent her childhood sailing and working at her local yacht club which sparked a lifelong love of being near the ocean. She studied Anthropology with a minor in Earth Science at The Ohio State University, a foundation that deepened her appreciation for both people and the natural world. After graduating, Natalie ventured to Alaska to work as an expedition leader and naturalist for a small cruise ship company, sharing her knowledge and passion for the environment with travelers from around the world. She has always been committed to exceptional customer service and she thrives on creating memorable experiences for every guest she encounters.

Ken Chaletzky originates from the Boston area. In 1967 he moved to Washington, D.C. where he received his BBA from The George Washington University in 1971, and in 1974 received his MBA from The Wharton School. He and co-owner Dirck started a computerized typesetting company in 1974 and in 1979 they started Copy General and grew it to be the largest chain of copy shops in DC. Ken, who recently retired, was President & CEO of Copy General. He served on the Dean’s Board of Advisors at GW’s School of Business and is treasurer of the Loudoun First Responders Foundation. Ken received his initial scuba training at the Pentagon Officers’ Athletic Club and has been a certified open water diver for over 55 years with additional advanced certifications. He has dived all over the world including every continent except Antarctica. “You’re never too old to dive.”

Dirck resides in the United States and is the co-founder of several successful businesses including Circle Graphics, the Print and Graphics Newspaper, and the worldwide chain of Copy General business centers. He served as president of Copy General Corporation from 1981 until 2001, and was active in re-establishing the private sector printing industry in Eastern Europe during the 1990’s and beyond. Dirck has been a featured speaker for many prominent organizations and government agencies, including the Association of American Publishers, the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives, the Pratt Institute and the World Bank. Dirck has served on the Board of Directors of Print Image International, was Vice-Chair of the Board of the Foreign Student Service Council, Washington, D.C., and is currently assisting in efforts to finalize a World Heritage site designation for the Turks and Caicos Islands in the British West Indies.