CAPTAIN KATHLEEN

Born into a long line of Annapolis sailors, Kathleen is the first woman in her family to sail professionally. The Saunders name can be found on a number of historic trophies including the famous Viking Trophy (more than once!). Despite this, Kathleen did not inherit the competitive bug for the racing circuit. As a teen, she had a stint working on a three-masted tall ship and oceanographic research vessel. She later worked for the College of Charleston Sailing Center as a deckhand and instructor teaching keelboat classes under Greg Fisher. Teaching is one of Kathleen’s greatest passions in life. After earning a MFA in Studio Art and working as a professor, she greatly missed the water and decided to go “all in” on her captain career.

Kathleen is a charismatic and hard-working captain working on private charters, yacht deliveries, and teaching private keelboat lessons. She has over 25 years of sailing experience and was raised as a waterman on the Chesapeake Bay by her father Mark Saunders who has multiple national championships as a sailor. She is particularly passionate about getting more women at the helm and greater diversity in the maritime industry. Kathleen holds a USCG 50-Ton Master License and is certified in First Aid CPR/AED and STCW-95. She is trained in survival at sea, meteorology, and knows a great deal of Charleston history and ecology. Nonetheless, Kathleen doesn’t take herself too seriously. Her playful personality make every charter, delivery, or lesson that much more fun!