Abigail Robson
Unlimited Second Mate, 100 Ton Master License
Abigail’s maritime work carried her around the world, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Suez Canal to the Bering Sea, on boats ranging from small dead rises to 700 foot tankers. She started on the water as a child, spending time with her father while he worked on a tugboat, and raised by a mother who had also worked commercially. In her own career, Abigail had the unique experience of driving a car carrier through the Suez Canal, literally steering it from the forward bridge. Her years on board a tanker in Alaska showed her how beautiful that state is, even with the extreme cold, 35 foot tides, and freezing bow spray. She most enjoyed being a “fixer” in her role as second mate, supporting those around her and helping third mates learn the skills needed to move up. Returning to Maryland, she switched from the rough environment on cargo ships to interacting with young students who had no experience on a boat when she took the role of captain on a research vessel for a local college. After traveling the world by water, the Chesapeake remains her home.