Meet Our Captain Instructors
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Capt. Sarah Lawrence
Owner of CBA, Capt. Sarah grew up on the Chesapeake Bay helping with the family marine towing & salvage company and spending winters living aboard the family boat cruising the ICW to the Bahamas. Her on-water instruction began as a teenager when she coached junior sailing. After racing in St. Mary’s College collegiate sailing, she lived aboard her 41’ Morgan sailboat in the Bahamas, running an ASA Sailing School and working as a charter captain and doing deliveries around the Bahamas, Caribbean and East Coast. Capt. Sarah currently works in the family TowBoatUS business and is passionate about boating safety. It is her goal to help build confident, safe boaters and share her love of the water with her students. Sarah is a 100 ton USCG Captain, NSBC Instructor, Trainer, US Powerboating Instructor, US Sailing Instructor and American Sailing Association Instructor.
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Capt. Eva Kerchner
Capt. Eva joined CBA in May of 2023 and brings a wide range of boating experience and love of the Chesapeake. You may find her driving the Deale Tiki boat, fishing with her grandkids aboard her pontoon boat or on duty as the local Park Ranger. Capt. Eva brings a warm, professional, can-do attitude and years of living on and around the Bay. Chesapeake Boating Academy is excited to welcome Capt. Eva and have another female captain on the team!
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Capt. Scott Smith
Capt. Scott, also known as “Capt Smitty” is an Eastern Shore native and life long boater. He is retired PG County Police with a focus in K-9. In his recent retirement from the police department, he has began focusing on boating deliveries, instruction and Captain services. Capt Smitty brings attention to detail, a professional and friendly demeanor and strong boat handling. We are excited to have him aboard!
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Capt. Alex Sterling
Capt. Alex is a welcomed addition to the CBA team. He joins us from our sister company, TowBoatUS Kent Narrows & Knapps Narrows where he has been a part-time captain for over 7 years. Capt. Alex is a graduate of SUNY Maritime with a 1600 ton Master License. He also works as a Tug Captain out of Norfolk, VA and aboard a paddleboat. Capt. Alex is also a Master PADI dive instructor and avid outdoorsman. Capt. Alex excels in boat handling and brings a confident, calm professional demeanor.
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Capt. Adam Lawrence
Capt. Adam holds a 100 ton Masters USCG license. His boating experience spans from years of running yachts in the Bahamas and East Coast to captaining towboats on the Chesapeake Bay. Also known as Captain Adventure, his local knowledge, innate boat handling and outgoing demeanor will have you smiling as you learn. Capt. Adam is not only the fleet Captain of our local TowBoatUS company, he did 2 full towboat refits over the last few years as well as upgrading our current training vessel so that it is integrated with all new safety equipment and electronics. Capt. Adam is also the husband to Capt. Sarah and together they are raising two mini-captains, who are currently still in the deck swab status, but quickly rising in the ranks.
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Capt. Ryan Silbaugh
Capt. Ryan holds a 100 ton USCG Masters license. His strength as an NSBC Instructor come from years of working in the Navy, teaching diving courses and fine-tuned boat handling as a Captain for Tow Jamm Marine/ TowBoatUS Kent Narrows. Capt. Ryan grew up in North Carolina running different boats and his shared passion and enthusiasm make him an ideal instructor for our on-water courses. His calm and confident demeanor add to his skills as an instructor. You may also find Capt. Ryan hanging out with his mini Captain-in-training, running deliveries or welding.
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Capt. Ken Spiro
Capt. Ken joined us in spring of 2024 and we are beyond excited to have his extensive experience on our team. Holding a 200 ton oceans license, Ken’s leadership spans from being a Naval Officer and CO of Naval destroyers, special operations officer and more. He has diverse experience in the recreational world of boating as a marine surveyor, sailor, yacht deliveries and National Safe Boating Council Instructor. Capt. Ken exudes the qualities of a well versed sea captain and gentle leader.
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Capt. Rob Chestnut
Capt. Rob joined Chesapeake Boating Academy in spring of 2024 and we are thrilled to have another local Chesapeake Bay boater on the team. Holding a 25 ton license, Rob is a skilled boat handler and instructor, working with students on new boat orientation and at boat clubs. Capt. Rob works closely with Hinkley of the Chesapeake, delivering their boats around the Bay. Capt. Rob also enjoys his time on the water with his family and crabbing, Capt. Rob brings strong leadership and management qualities with a calm and confident demeanor.
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Capt. Ben Foley
Capt. Ben joined us in spring of 2024 and we are proud to also work with Ben in our sister company, TowBoatUS Kent Narrows and Knapps Narrows. Capt. Ben holds a 50 ton license and boasts extensive boating experience on both sail and power driven vessels. Capt. Ben and his family are part-time live-aboard cruisers on their sailboat, having cruised from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas. Capt. Ben is a well rounded instructor with a kind and reassuring demeanor. He not only excels in boat handling, he helps others feel comfortable and safe as they learn new skills. We're excited to have him aboard!
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Capt. Bill Chestnut
Capt. Bill joined Chesapeake Boating Academy in the fall of 2024 and we couldn't be more grateful to have added another phenomenal captain and instructor to the team. When his brother, Capt. Rob came to CBA earlier this year, we got nonstop positive feedback about how great an Instructor Rob was- when Rob told us he had a brother who was also a Captain, we didn't think twice! Capt. Bill brings years of experience on a wide range of vessels. He is also a fishing guide, duck guide and carpenter. Welcome to CBA!
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Capt. Bob Milton
Capt. Bob Milton joined Chesapeake Boating Academy in the spring of 2024. He works intimately in the boating world having been an NSBC instructor around the Bay for many years and now as a broker for Marine Max out of the Kent Narrows. Capt. Bob brings years of experience in the industry. He enjoys spending time on the water with his friends and family. He has a professional and detail oriented personality that is charming and easy to learn from. We are very excited to have him board the team!
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Deck-Swab Dashi
Joining our crew this year is our new rescue dog, Dashi. Dash is an Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler) who loves to shadow us aboard the boat and go for swims at local beaches. You may see Dashi cruising around the Kent Narrows, so keep a lookout for a cute pup in a red lifejacket! Dash has 2 older sisters, Sushi and Nori who also enjoy family boat days.