2008 Sultana Crew

Captain Robert M. Brittain  -   Widely regarded as one of the most personable and competent captains on the Chesapeake Bay, Robert M. Brittain has been the heart and soul of the schooner Sultana since assuming command in April 2004. Captain Brittain has decades of experience sailing traditional vessels and more than fifteen years of sea time on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. A native of England, Brittain first learned to sail in small dinghies on England's Blackwater River. After attending Nottingham University where he was a member of the University's sailing team, Brittain moved to the United States in 1980 and has subsequently served as captain on numerous traditional sailing vessels including the schooners Lady Maryland, Woodwind and Woodwind II as well as the skipjack Martha Lewis. Earlier in his career Captain Brittain sailed as crew on both the original Pride of Baltimore and on the maiden voyage of the Pride of Baltimore, II. Captain Brittain lives in Chestertown with his wife Cindy whom he met when they both served as crew onboard the Pride of Baltimore

Tanya Banks-Christensen - Alternate Captain / First Mate:   Sultana Projects is pleased to have Tanya Banks-Christensen returning to Sultana as Alternate Captain and First Mate for the 2008 season.  Tanya previously sailed on
Sultana in 2004 and has since served as Captain on the Connecticut-based schooner Quinnipack. Tanya received her start in the maritime industry while attending Alfred College when she sailed aboard the schooner Westward and later spent two years aboard the sloop Providence. Tanya has worked as an assistant carpenter, wood working studio monitor and as an Americorps volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder, holds a 200-ton near-coastal license.

Leona Dalton- Education Director:  A graduate of Washington College, where she earned a B.A. in Anthropology and a M.A. in History, Leona brings many years of on the water experience to her new job as Education Director onboard the Schooner Sultana.  An experienced rower, Leona was a four years member of the Women’s Varsity crew team and later an Assistant Women’s Rowing Coach at Washington College.  Most recently, Leona spent five months rowing Sultana Projects’ 18th century replica shallop around the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Captain John Smith 400 Project.  She is looking forward to leading the stellar educational programs onboard Sultana this year.

Adam Prokosch- Educator/Deckhand: Adam comes to Sultana Projects from Washington State where he most recently worked as part of the crew onboard the Lady Washington.  Adam recently graduated from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where he designed his own Emphasis on Leadership major which allowed him to study both science and history.  When he’s not working, Adam can be found on the West Coast living and traveling in his green Volkswagen bus.  He also enjoys camping, hiking, mountain climbing, and has built the occasional igloo.  He is very excited to be joining this year’s crew onboard the Sultana.

Edna Ogola- Cook/Deckhand:  A Biology and Psychology major at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Edna will spend her summer educating children about the history and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.  Edna will be indispensable onboard Sultana as she will also be the ship’s cook!  Originally from Kenya, Edna has traveled extensively throughout that country.  She spent one year of high school in Arlington, Texas before heading to Cornell College where she is currently a sprinter on the Women’s Track and Field team.  When not studying or practicing, Edna likes to read and to cook.

Brian Bytnar- Educator/Deckhand:  Brian is familiar with Kent County after working as a Staff Naturalist at Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton for their 2007 season.  He is a 2006 graduate of Dickinson College where he received his B.S. in Environmental Science.  Since then, Brian has been actively involved in working with the environment.  His previous experience includes working for the National Park Service on both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail as well as working for Marinetic, an organization running an oyster farm in the Choptank River.  When not working, Brian enjoys playing the guitar, hiking, biking and being near the water.

Deborah Rowan- Educator/Deckhand:  Deborah has spent nearly 2 decades working on tall ships around the world.  She has previously sailed on the ships Malcolm Miller and Sir Winston Churchill in England as well as the original Pride of Baltimore, Lady Maryland, Mildred Belle, and Schooner Woodwind here in the States.  Deborah has a B.A. in Music from Bucknell University as well as a M.S. in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland, College Park.  A licensed acupuncturist, Deborah will be able to calm the crew after a weary day at sea.  She also enjoys photography, music, and botany. 

Click here to view Sultana Crew bios from previous years.