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.

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.

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 as well as a certified US Powerboating Instructor. Capt. Ken exudes the qualities of a well versed sea captain and gentle leader. When not on the water, you might find Ken visiting his family in Colorado, reading books or hiking.

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 spends time doing deliveries and annual charters in the BVIs. He is also a fishing guide, duck guide and carpenter. If Bill is not on the water, you might find him volunteering locally or around the globe to help build homes for the less fortunate.

Capt. Rob joined Chesapeake Boating Academy in spring of 2024 and we are thrilled to have another local Chesapeake Bay boater on the team. A South River native, Rob holds a 25 ton license and is a skilled boat handler and instructor, working with students on new boat orientation and at boat clubs as well as for CBA. 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. When not on the water, you might find Rob volunteering for the Pony Club where his daughter rides horses or helping in his local community.

Marla is a USCG-licensed 100-ton Master and accomplished NSBC & ASA instructor who is a local live-aboard cruiser with her husband aboard thier 46' Grand Banks in Eastport. With decades of experience—from charter skippering throughout the Caribbean to offshore passages, schooner work, and years cruising the East Coast aboard her own boats—Marla brings seasoned judgment and steady confidence to maritime roles. She has taught thousands of students locally and around the country and earned ASA’s Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award for her exceptional approach to teaching.

Marla’s adventurous spirit extends far beyond sailing. She lived in Nairobi, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, performed on stage at The Punchline and has long been involved in leadership and community roles, including Toastmasters, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and international travel. Marla is known for her professionalism, warmth, and passion for helping others discover confidence and joy on the water.

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 nearly 10 years. Capt. Alex is a graduate of SUNY Maritime with a 1600 ton Master License. He also works as a Tug Captain around the East Coast and aboard the Suicide Bridge Paddleboat as Captain. 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. When not on the water, you might find Alex spearfishing (okay still on the water!) or practicing jujitsu.

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 retirement from the police department, he has began focusing on boating deliveries, instruction and Captain services. He is often delivering boats up and down the east coast on the ICW an recently has been working on the Key Bridge project as a captain. Smitty also is a Captain for our sister company, “TowBoatUS Kent Narrows” and is excellent in the marine towing & salvage world. Smitty brings attention to detail, a professional and friendly demeanor and strong boat handling. When not on the water, you might find him supporting his son at lacrosse or ice hockey games.

Capt. Ted has joined CBA and we’re excited to have a leader in the industry on the team. Ted is the BoatUS Foundation Director of Boating Safety and was appointed by Director of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas as a Representative to the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee (NBSAC). Sensenbrenner’s career at the BoatUS Foundation began in 2004 when he was appointed Assistant Boating Safety Director, responsible for the nonprofit Foundation’s boating safety initiatives. He also has extensive offshore racing experience, holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain 100-ton license with towing and sailing endorsements, and is a National Safe Boating Council Instructor/Instructor Trainer. An alumni of The College of St. Mary’s who now hails from Crownsville, Maryland, Ted also teaches and develops local youth sailing programs and is president of the Indian Landing Boat Club, where he’s spearheading fundraising efforts for shoreline restoration on two islands. We are fortunate to have Ted aboard!

Introducing, Dashi! Dash is a local rescue- an Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler) who loves to shadow us aboard the boat on our days off 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 and 1 younger sister, Sushi, Nori and Poppy who also enjoy family boat days.

Nori is our 6 year old rescue. She is an Aussie Mix and enjoys spending time napping on the boat and jumping on the trampoline while at home. In October of 2025, Nori was hit by a truck and had to have her hind leg amputated- we’re happy to report she’s doing well and thriving. We look forward to getting her back on the water soon.

Poppy is also a rescue and is thought to be a labradoodle or Portuguese water dog. Whatever the case may be, this girl LOVES all things boats, water and swimming. She spends time with Sarah towing on the towboats, eating vegetables from the garden (yes, she’s a part time vegetarian) and keeping her sisters on their toes (puppy mode still in full force!)

Sushi is our rescue from the Abacos. She is a purebred Bahamian Potcake (google it!). Sushi turned 16 in June of 2025 and spends her time sunning in the yard, keeping the youngsters in line and enjoying mellow boat rides. She grew up in the islands and on boats and she’s never lost her sea legs!

Welcoming Rodeo! Rodeo is Capt. Rob’s vizsla puppy. Rodeo enjoys going crabbing, fishing and pointing for pheasant. Rodeo is a joy to have aboard and are excited to spend more days on the water with her!