Meet Your Captain & Crew
Our professional and compassionate crew is here to assist you with your burial at sea needs.
Captain Wesley Heinmiller
Captain Wes Heinmiller was born in Long Beach, California in 1954 to a boating family. When Wes was fifteen years old, he sailed to the Fiji Islands and resided there for two years with his family. He came back to Long Beach and started a marine repair, piloting & management company that is still in business today.
Wes has worked in many aspects of the marine industry from sales to installation, and finally decided that yacht chartering is his forte.
Wes piloted several boats for the motion picture and television industry: Riptide, Winds of War, Tequila Sunrise, Days of Our Lives, and The Bold & The Beautiful.
Having a 1,600 ton Masters License with S.T.C.W. training, towing & sailing endorsements, Wes spends his time between his work in Newport Beach, CA and his residence on Orcas Island, WA.
Wes’ marine capabilities are vast and his repair capabilities extensive. He has an excellent association with the Coast Guard from certifying four of his last boats.
Wes has renovated nine Chris Crafts back from ruins in all sizes from 18′ Holiday speedboats to 65′ Coast Guard Certified Constellations & Commanders. He will guarantee a memorable trip.
Captain Alan Stameisen
Captain Alan Stameisen was born in Southern California and started his love for the sea at age 6 when he learned to sail a Sidney Sabot. His knowledge of sailing and seamanship continued to grow while crewing aboard his family’s 36 ft. Columbia. At age 14, with his father, Alan began formal classes in piloting and seamanship through the Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
At age 18, Alan attended Pierce College and between studies, he worked on local yachts to earn enough money to purchase his first sailboat. By graduation, he traded up to a larger sailboat and moved aboard, making boating an even greater part of his life style.
Among his many achievements, Alan became proficient in snow skiing which he taught to the physically challenged. He guided one of his blind students to win first place in the National Downhill Skiing Tournament at Winter Park, CO.
Alan attended the Ventura County Fire Department Reserve Academy where he served 4 years and earned an Emergency Medical Technician Certificate from Ventura College.
When Alan is not at the helm of White Light, he manages a 92 ft. yacht in Newport Beach and is responsible for all aspects of the vessel’s operation which includes maintenance, crew procurement, itineraries, menu provisioning, repair and maintenance of engines and generators. When day’s work is finished, Alan is known to barbecue a mean filet.
Alan holds a 100 ton Masters License that includes sailing and towing endorsements. He has renovated four Chris Craft yachts from 31 ft. to 65 ft., and finds White Light to be his best project ever.
Captain James Sodergren
Captain James is a native of Dana Point and still lives in the beautiful city with his daughter. He began operations of White Light in 2005 and continues to captain that vessel today.
The White Light family shares his sense of community pride. He volunteers in the community independently and as part of the White Light family. Captain James, loves getting kids off the video games and out on the water reminding them of the wonders of the ocean that is our backyard. Captain James loves traveling, camping, and surfing!
When Captain James was 22 years old he signed a one-year contract with Clipper Cruise Line, this was the beginning of his boating career. His maiden voyage with Clipper was through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean where he spent 6 months operating as a deckhand.
Captain James obtained his 100 ton USCG license while he was working in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Captain James has worked as a firefighter for 29 Palms and also worked as a lifeguard in south orange county. He is a licensed EMT and CPR certified. James currently is attending school at Cal State University of Fullerton to obtain his BA.
Captain Robert Hilton
I am a US Navy veteran and have worked in the yachting industry for the past 4 years. I am an accomplished private chef with a book coming out in January 2021. I believe in having a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and professionalism that is beyond reproach.
Captain Ryan Jackson
Ryan grew up on boats and has been cruising on the water for well over a decade. Young, friendly, and full of stories, Ryan is also an ordained minister and has made a few TV appearances practicing both his boating and marrying skills. You’re always in safe hands with Ryan at the helm.CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Read what our clients have to say about our scattering of ashes burial at sea services.
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.”
John F. Kennedy