Sultana Crew:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

2010 Fall Sultana Crew

Shannon Bridget Reilley – Deckhand/Educator:  Shannon Reilley  hails from Bristol, Vermont, and holds a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Shannon’s interest in marine biology and sailing highlight her previous work experience.  Reilly has worked as an Aquarist at Lahinch Seaworld in Ireland - where she was the caretaker of axolotls (neotenic salamanders) – and as a deckhand aboard the state ship of Delaware, Kalmar Nyckel. 

Jonas Caleb Burns – Deckhand/Educator:  An outdoorsman with varied interests, Jonas Caleb Burns holds a BS in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University where he graduated first out of 6674 students.  Burns has volunteered with Helping Hands, North Carolina Senior Games, and as peer tutor in Chemistry and Mathematics.  Jonas’ hobbies include sailing, cycling/mountain and road, kayaking/canoeing, running, triathlons, and tennis.

Jesse James Hill – Deckhand/Educator:  Jesse hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee majoring in Biology and Conservation and Environmental Science (CES).  With a strong interest in environmental conservation and restoration, Jesse has crewed aboard the Denis Sullivan, has an open water PADI certification, served as educator with Pier Wisconsin at Discovery Word and the Urban Ecology Center, and transited through the Great Lakes with school programs.  Jesse’s volunteering covers wildlife, invasive species control, animal care, and research projects. 

2009 Sultana Spring/Fall Crew

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’ 18^th 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. 

2007 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

Carrington Ritchie – Chief Mate: A recently licensed USCG Captain, Carrington hails from Charleston, South Carolina and finds the tiny port of Chestertown has many things in common with his seafaring city. Carrington has loved boats all his life and says sailing brings out the best in him. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 2002 with a BS in Psychology, Carrington has pursued his love of sailing aboard Charleston's schooner Pride. He plays the bass and guitar, enjoys Yoga, camping, hiking and fishing.  This is Carrington’s second season on Sultana.

Taylor Hartey – Education Director: With a BS in Anthropology and a minor in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island, Taylor serves as Education Director aboard Sultana and is responsible for overseeing all onboard educational programs.. Taylor loves working with children and has coached kids from 5 to 17 at camps and after-school programs. A Division One Varsity athlete in soccer and tennis at Rhode Island, Taylor interned at the marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and plans to become a marine archaeologist. Taylor is also a certified in SCUBA and likes to go surfing.  This is Taylor’s second season aboard Sultana.

Patrick Kelaher - Deckhand Educator: Patrick comes to us from West Haven Connecticut where he learned to love the water, sailing and all things marine. A graduate of The Sound School in West Haven, Patrick crewed on the schooner Quinnipiac there. Patrick has also previously worked on the schooners Clipper City and Virginia.  This is Patrick’s second season on Sultana.

Katherine Sullivan - Cook/Deckhand Educator: A political science major at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Katherine will spend her summer teaching children about history and the environment of the Chesapeake and is indispensable as our ship's cook. Katherine is a Texan and has many talents from writing to sailing to academic research. Katherine has a keen sense of social concern and commitment and has volunteered for a number of non-profits.  This is Katherine’s second season on Sultana.

Will Young – Deckhand Educator:  Sailing comes naturally to this Vermont native. He has crewed as a volunteer or student on the Kalmar Nyckel, the Westward and the Spirit of Massachusetts. He as also trained as a blacksmith and carpenter.  Will plays piano and violin and enjoys logging, landscaping and wood carving. This is Will’s first season aboard Sultana.