Mark Schrader

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Mark Schrader
Captain
Around the Americas

Captain Mark Schrader was born in Nebraska. He had never seen the ocean until he was a teenager when his family moved to California. He made a life in Washington State on a farm and became a small business owner. He has completed two single-handed circumnavigations of the world. He also successfully skippered the first Around the Americas circumnavigation for science and education in 2009/10.


Jennifer Dalton

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Jennifer Dalton
Project Director/CoCaptain
Around the Americas

Jennifer Dalton, Project Director/CoCaptain, was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. She started sailing at ten and became an ocean enthusiast and avid sailor. She has owned outdoor expedition companies in Vancouver, BC, and Puerto Montt, Chile. She has recently worked for several years in education in Skagit County, WA, where she raised her family, taking them cruising for 20 years in the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands. She is a published writer and will continue to document the historic voyage of One Ocean.


Michael Beemer

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Michael Beemer
Scientist
Around the Americas

Michael Beemer, director of the Marine Technology Center for Skagit Valley College, was instrumental in One Ocean's refit, electrical design, and preparations, working with students and volunteers. He has spent over 25 years cruising the inside passage from WA to AK.
Born and raised in the farmlands of Michigan, Michael loves all thing mechanical and being on the water. He is a lifelong educator that is passionate about sharing knowledge and training new technicians at Skagit Valley College Marine Technology Program.

He has a degree in mathematics, has studies physics, and holds a master's degree in Career & Technical Education. Currently he is the department chair for the Skagit Valley College Marine Technology program in Anacortes and has been working there since the opening in 2010. Michael is always sharing what he know by dedicates one weekend per month teaching courses to boat owners at the MT center through a program called Cruisers College, also doing presentations at community events, yacht clubs, and boat shows.

His favorite cruising area is the Inside Passage form Anacortes to Alaska. Annually he does guided trips on the inside passage where boaters follow along and learn about weather, routes, decisions, and how to enjoy this beautiful area. These adventures allow him to be on the water, teaching and sharing.

Black Pearl is his current vessel that has been cruised up and down the Inside Passage for 40+ years. This is a custom-built pilot house sailboat that operates on an Ed Monk Sr. designed Skookum 47' hull – the last one to come out of the mold in Port Townsend.

Michael is super excited to join this team because of the serious science and educational aspects, along with being able to help as the onboard engineer. If you want to know more about Michael, the Marine Technology program, the motor-sailor Black Pearl, or to learn some great "Tech Tips" about boat repair, visit his YouTube channel, the "SVC Skallywags"
 


Grace Dalton

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Grace Dalton
Lead Onboard Scientist
Around the Americas

Grace Dalton is a marine biology undergraduate at the University of Victoria, a former research assistant intern with BC Whales, and a varsity sailing race team member. Grace will intern as the lead scientist aboard this expedition. She will oversee research efforts, collect data, perform kelp mapping, identify humpback whales, and collaborate with the partnering education facilities and scientists. 

She will also structure and organize our education videos for science research. Grace grew up in La Conner, WA, and is fortunate to have US and Canadian citizenship. She has been sailing or on the water since she was a young child. She grew up with a passion for conserving our ocean.


Tess Shornack

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Tessa Shornack
Outreach Coordinator
Around the Americas

Tess Shornack, an undergraduate at Western Washington University, is pursuing an
Environmental Science Degree with a Marine Emphasis and will intern as the voyage's social media and education outreach coordinator. Tess will connect with schools around North and South America to set up One Island One Ocean Crew presentations.

Tess is an avid sailor who competes on WWU's sailing team. She grew up in Skagit County where the ocean is her backyard. While exploring and adventuring in the Salish Sea all her life, Tess developed a passion for raising awareness about the state of our ocean.