Boatswain – Rob Aspinwall

Rob started sailing on tall ships at Tabor Academy on the schooner SSV Tabor Boy.  This is also where he and I met while we both students at Tabor.  By the time Rob left the SSV Tabor Boy he had risen to the rank of XO which the equivalent of Chief Mate at the ripe old age of 17.  He also implemented a formal sail training program on the schooner as a senior project.  This sail training program is something I used later as a tool to help create my own sail training program at Maine Maritime Academy.  He spent his college years at Hobart College racing dinghies and getting a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate in geology  but luckily for us he came back to tall ships after graduation.

Rob came to Niagara as an AB but as the Boatswain berth opened up he was the obvious candidate.  Rob will now be entering his first full season as Boatswain and second season on the ship.  His tireless work over this winter will be quite apparent to anyone who steps aboard.  The ship looks better now than I have seen it and that is in large part due to the work Rob has accomplished.

Rob’s teaching background and calm demeanor will give the trainees this summer comfort in learning the miriad of things they will need to know in a very short period of time.  Rob always has a smile on his face and anyone who gets the opportunity to sail with him will usually have that same smile as well.