Captain John Martino

Founder and President Captain John Martino holds a 500 Gross Ton, All-Oceans Master Mariner’s license. He is an experienced professional captain with a 20-year background in marine training, as well as more than 2000 sea days upon waters of the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans, Caribbean Sea, Great Lakes and Inland waterways of the United States from as far north as Alaska to the Panama Canal. John has served as captain on ocean-going vessels up to 105 feet, and has done extensive yacht delivery work.

As founder and president of Annapolis School of Seamanship, he produces and leads courses ranging from basic navigation and seamanship for recreational boaters to professional mariner training for licensed captains up to 200 gross tons. John is also an owner and CEO of Chesapeake Bay Magazine.

CAPTAIN MATT BENHOFF

Vice President Captain Matt Benhoff holds a USCG Master 100 gross tons, Near Coastal license. He has been a full-time professional mariner for over ten years and is a lifelong boater.

In 2006 Matt joined the U.S. Coast Guard and became a Boatswain Mate. Stationed in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, he served as a boarding officer and commanded a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and 25-foot RBS. As a USCG coxswain he was responsible for leading law enforcement as well as search and rescue missions.

After leaving the Coast Guard Matt joined the team at Annapolis School of Seamanship as an instructor captain. Captain Benhoff now serves as Vice President of the school and is responsible for overseeing instructors, performing training and curriculum development for recreational boaters, professional mariners, and military personnel.

As an instructor for Annapolis School of Seamanship, Captain Benhoff has served on training passages and yacht deliveries in the Chesapeake Bay, ICW, Pacific Northwest, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Matt also heads up the Professional Mariner Credentialing program at Annapolis School of Seamanship.

Captain Mark Talbott

Operations Manager Captain Mark Talbott has sailed on vessels from 10 to 100 feet on waters from Maine to Antigua. Mark began his maritime career at a local boat dealership commissioning and delivering new vessels as well as instructing new owners on board. Mark then moved on to working aboard larger craft, namely, Annapolis’ own Schooner Woodwind. During his time aboard the Woodwind, Mark met his wife and earned his USCG Captain’s license.

The next several years were spent indoors working at a local boating magazine before taking time off from work to stay home with his newborn son. Mark joined the Annapolis School of Seamanship team in early 2014 and is now involved with everything from class registrations to network wiring.

Captain Kaitlyn Bize

Kaitlyn Bize attained her USCG Captain’s License with us in 2019. She grew up boating on the Chesapeake Bay before starting her yachting career in 2015. Since then she has worked on sailing and power vessels in the Caribbean and along the East Coast of the United States before coming back to join Annapolis School of Seamanship. Kaitlyn currently handles all on-water training courses and private instruction scheduling.