Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) has just appointed four new Board Members for 2018.
The Annapolis-based nonprofit organization provides adaptive sailing programs to people with disabilities, wounded warriors, and kids from at-risk neighborhoods.
The CRAB Board voted to approve the addition of Scott Gitchell, Assistant Principal at Pyle Middle School in Montgomery County and an avid J-70 sailor; David Hankey with the law firm of Gohn, Hankey, Stichel & Berlage, who sails his Pearson sloop with his son who has developmental disabilities; Tarrant “Tarry” Lomax, principal of Tarrant H. Lomax, Esq., P.C. and the chair of the City of Annapolis Maritime Advisory Board; and, Matt Schaaf, executive vice president of ds+f, Inc and one of CRAB’s leading volunteer skippers.
CRAB President Brad LaTour said, “It is not often that we get the opportunity to have people with senior level executive or management experience that matches their boating resume or history of working with persons with disabilities. We are excited to have these new Board Members who will be able to build on CRAB’s successful history for the benefit of so many deserving people in the region.”
The two-year terms of the new CRAB Board Members will begin on January 1, 2018.
Earlier this fall, CRAB received a donation of two new sailboats, specially equipped for sailors with disabilities, and was able to buy four more with monetary donations. Beneteau America and Annapolis Yacht Sales partnered to donate the Beneteau First 22A’s, which are adapted from the Beneteau First 22 and will help replace CRAB’s aging fleet.
Bay Bulletin was there at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, when one of the First 22A’s was unveiled.
CRAB sails with about a thousand guests per year, and provide training to people who might otherwise never get to sail.
