Port Captain Paul Dines
Captain Paul Dines has lived in a maritime community his entire life. Born in New York, NY and raised in New England and Hilton Head Island, SC, Paul began his love affair with boats at the age of five. Captain Paul has been on the San Francisco Bay since 1983 and held his captain's license since 1994. Paul has been the master of some of San Francisco's most well-loved vessels. He has successfully delivered numerous private yachts up and down the West Coast and beyond. His longtime observation of the Bay Area makes him the perfect coordinator for marine film, media and special events. He has been a key resource for such productions as Eye on the Bay, National Geographic, BBC TV, ESPN and 2014 San Andreas movie. He has coordinated media to record boats like the Queen Mary, the Maltese Falcon, and Gitana 13 entering out Golden Gate. Captain Paul is the current Admiral of the Master Mariners Benevolent Association and is an active leader in Sausalito's waterfront community. "The Bay has so many wonderful vistas and dramatic corners that continue to amaze me even after 25 years. When people are out on the water taking in the dramatic vistas and learn about the history here, I can see moments that will be remembered for a lifetime being created, it's a privileged to share in something both intimate and profound" - Captain Paul Dines
Marina O’Neill – HOSPITALITY & SALES DIRECTOR
Marina O'Neill imbues everything she touches with her intimate knowledge of the Hospitality and Event Industry. She deeply values and focuses on local food and wine sources, always working to continue the traditions of the Bay Area's legendary culinary luminaries. Marina's career began in 1990 at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, supporting all facets of traditional banquets, weddings and seminars. A native to the Bay Area, Marina has been involved in the coordination and execution of many important events throughout Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa Counties. Committed to directing the perfect event every time, she is devoted to every detail as her loyal clients know well. Marina is a past Director of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce Board. She has been a chief coordinator for Sausalito Sailfest, actively involved with the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and is active in many of Sausalito's local events. Marina has been at the helm of Hospitality and Sales for SF Bay Adventures for over a decade. "I enjoy the relationship that develops with my clients through the process of planning and executing their events. I feel I am indulged with a wonderful extended family that continues to grow." - Marina O'Neill
Captain Reno Cambridge
Shapiro "Reno" Cambridge is a member of the Dinè (Navajo) Nation and Sicilian. Born and raised in San Francisco, Reno learned his love for the Ocean from his father and older brother who loved to fish and play in the cold Pacific waves. Reno began sailing tall ships on the East Coast and brought his love of sailing back home to the Bay Area. Reno has been sailing with SF Bay Adventures for the past 6 years and has worked seasonally as a Historic Ship Rigger for the San Francisco Maritime Museum on Hyde Street Pier. As a new owner of his own sailboat, Reno spends his free time restoring his Cape George with hopes of sharing his love of being on the water with his family and local native community.
Captain Katrina Eckman
Born and raised on the East Coast, Katrina Eckman discovered the thrill of sailing at a young age, navigating little sailboats on lakes, the Hudson River, and beyond. During her college years, she honed her skills and discovered the art of maneuvering boats in tight quarters, mastering the intricate dynamics of racing 420s—the nimble vessels that demand precise navigation at crowded starting lines. Driven by a desire to explore historic sailing traditions, Katrina spent a season in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she immersed herself in the captivating world of traditional boats propelled only by sails and oars. This invaluable experience deepened her understanding of maritime heritage and solidified her commitment to preserving and sharing the timeless art of sailing. In 2020, her journey took a pivotal turn as she earned her 100-ton captain's license, a testament to her dedication and experience in the industry. Katrina is also an avid adventurer, finding solace in the ruggedness of backpacking and the exhilaration of skiing. These passions infuse her approach to sailing the Schooner Freda B, ensuring that every outing with us is not just a voyage, but a transformative experience.
Captain Abby Mohan
Hailing from Missouri, Abby never imagined her path would lead her to the sea. She moved to San Francisco and started taking sailing lessons and has now spent 1,800 days on SF Bay. Abby has since spent the past 11 seasons working as a deckhand, sailing instructor, naturalist and Captain on San Francisco Bay. She has sailed the West coast from Vancouver to Mexico. Abby carries a 100 ton Masters Captain's License. Abby is proud to serve on the advisory council of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Maritime Recreation seat, helping protect the California Coast. She is a graduate of SF State with a degree in Geography and is pursuing a Master Degree in Marine Science.
Justin – Office & Deckhand
Justin's background includes work at a wilderness resort in Alaska and trail-work across Wyoming, New England, and the Desert Southwest. However, if there’s one thing you should know about Justin, it’s that he loves water. He wrote a thesis on Economic History of Water Supply, and he soon realized that his love for water would be best suited by actually working on it! He moved to Boston in 2015 and started working for a local schooner company, where he acted as operational support and as a deckhand across the East Coast and Caribbean. But Justin is a man of fine taste, and he dearly missed California, so in 2017 he decided to come home and work for the classiest schooner the Bay has to offer.
Isaac Sweeney - Deckhand
Born in Long Beach, Isaac Sweeney spent much of his childhood on the water, immersed in various water activities with sailing being his greatest passion. From ages 8 to 18, he spent almost every summer weekday sailing Lasers, Sabots, and FJs. During his high school years, he competed in sailing regattas along the California coast and completed several overnight sails with his family. In his final summer in Long Beach, he became the head coach of a small yacht club junior program in Seal Beach, California. Isaac's passion for sailing, inherited from his father and grandfather, shines brightly.
In his free time, Isaac embraces the outdoors and channels his creativity through writing, photography, guitar, and painting, using these mediums to explore his observations and feelings. He aspires to open a sailing school for those who might not otherwise have access to the joy and privilege of sailing, and to continue a life filled with adventure and creativity.
Sydney Wewerka – Deckhand
Sydney Wewerka grew up in Colorado where she learned to love the water as a little girl, spending every possible second of summer time playing in lakes and rivers. Her earliest memory of sailing is the iconic yellow, red, and orange sail of her family's sunfish against a bright blue sky. Sydney is an avid windsurfer and surfer, and earned a degree in Oceanography in 2020. For the past 5 years, Sydney has adventured through a variety of maritime trades including aquaculture, research & restoration, sailboat maintenance, and now as a crew member aboard the Schooner Freda B! Sydney looks forward to fulfilling her dream of putting together an all-female expedition sailboat crew with her college classmates, where they plan to showcase the power of citizen science and natural curiosity.
Travis Mackin – Deckhand & Hospitality
Travis Mackin moved to San Francisco a decade ago to complete his undergraduate studies. Nearing the end of his degree, and ready to start a career in tech, he fell into a unique job as a youth educator for the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. This role put him on the decks of historic ships, sailing dinghies, row boats, and even a submarine. After a few months, Travis never thought of returning to a career in tech again. This job inspired what would be Travis’ three great loves: boats, the Bay, and teaching. Since then, Travis has been wearing many different hats, including as an outdoor trip leader for UC San Francisco, a director of a sailing and rowing summer camp, an administrator at an elementary school, and an American Red Cross instructor for wilderness first aid and emergency medicine. Most recently, Travis has been happily employed as a deckhand on the schooner Freda B where he gets to enjoy the history, beauty, and natural treasures of the Bay Area with visitors from all over the world.
Gretchen Burmaster – HOSPITALITY
Gretchen Burmaster spent her younger years falling in love with the ocean growing up on the central coast, finding starfish and collecting sea glass in San Luis Obispo, CA. After receiving a BS in biology in the bay area, with a desire to apply to dental school, Gretchen found herself in San Francisco to pursue advancements in her career. With training in administration and assisting, Gretchen has worked in various dental specialties from pediatric to general to oral surgery. Surgery quickly became her niche love, and in 2019 she became a certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Assistant. While she enjoys the dynamic thrill and purpose of working in healthcare, Gretchen has many passions beyond her 9-5, and is a feen for the outdoors! Not yet a sailor, her first week in the city she looked over the bay knowing she would find a way to be on it. Six months later she met Freda B, and with a history of the dining industry and a desire for a weekly dose of water, opportunity to serve in hospitality on the schooner was a no brainer. Pouring you wine, making you a hot chocolate, or directing you to the perfect shot of the full moon over the bay is her weekend joy. When not on the water or looking in your mouth, Gretchen enjoys coaching and playing volleyball, spending time in her Pilates studio, short averagely paced runs, and inviting you over for espresso.
Chef "Dr Jones" – David Johnson
David Robert Johnson (a.k.a. Chef Dr. Jones) was born in Iowa. His grandfather, a farmer, first introduced him to growing food, canning, and preserving, and the intimacy of eating locally. He received a BS in Geography & Environmental Management from the University of Iowa, specifically studying the interrelationships between the health of society, economy, and environment with special respect to food production systems. He spent ten years cooking on historic tall-ships, seasonally and geographically sourcing food; and expanding his culinary repertoire via cooking with locals, exchanging recipes, and experimenting with whatever was in season. From French cooking in Montreal to fish fries in the Caribbean, Dr. Jones's cooking is an intimate, eclectic, and joyous accumulation of tastes, cultures, and communities. David spent three years in Africa, where he initiated a community development project employing and educating local Xhosa tribe metic graduates in food production, service, and management. He designed and built a tiki restaurant of local materials, opened a fish market, planted three large perma-culture gardens with French drains for black water, compost, and solar heated water systems. When not aboard the schooner, Chef Jones can be found delighting palettes at his namesake deli.
Robyn Carmel - Marine Wildlife Whisperer
Robyn Carmel was born and raised in Los Angeles to a family of ocean lovers. Her favorite memories as a young child include sailing with her Uncle Perry to Catalina Island, and whale watching with the President of the Oceanic Society. After receiving a degree in Dance Therapy from UCLA, and working as a therapist at Napa State Hospital for several years, the ocean called her back and she formally transitioned into the world of non-profits to “do her part” for the planet and its inhabitants. She now has the best of both worlds, working in San Francisco as a fundraiser to support social services, and working to support our “blue planet” as an Educational Docent and Rescue and Response team member for The Marine Mammal Center, and Board Member/Certified Naturalist for the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the American Cetacean Society. As an obsessed and passionate lover of all things ocean, Robyn thrives on teaching people of all ages, and believes that education is the key to succeeding in a world that is ever-changing and challenging. Robyn is thrilled, honored and blessed to be a member of the Freda B crew, teaching guests about ocean conservation, sustainability, and her "people" - whales, dolphins, porpoises and all marine critters!
