Ben Anderson

 was a travel writer. His first book was titled Abiding Timetables and Avoiding Tourists. In 1988, he began an around-the-world journey on the Neptune.

He spent his time on the ship interacting with the crew and helping out where he could. He was horrified when Vincent was murdered and the ship's engines sabotaged. When the Third Doctor arrived, ostensibly from the company, to investigate, he took Ben into his confidence. When the guilty parties were subdued, Ben helped get the ship going again. (PROSE: Dateline to Deadline)