Sailboat Cruises
Meet the Captains of the Wilma Lee
Captain Rick Flamand
Rick is the Lead Captain of the historic skipjack, Wilma Lee. He began sailing at the age of 10 years old in Cape Cod, even teaching his father to sail on the weekends. Rick joined the Annapolis Maritime Museum (AMM) staff, following three seasons at Watermark Cruises as the Operations Manager and 15 years at IBM where he developed international teams focused on serving the telecoms industry. Rick is excited to launch the Wilma Lee programs across all facets of the AMM. He brings a lot of energy, experience, and enthusiasm to his role. Having lived in the Annapolis area for over 30 years Rick considers himself a native Annapolitan, along with his wife Maggie.
Captain Frank McGowan joined the Wilma Lee team in 2023, having recently (semi) retired from a career in academic medicine and medical research. He has cruised and raced sailboats for over 40 years, primarily on the Chesapeake and in New England. He loves getting people out on the water on a sailboat, even more so if it’s their first experience. One of the things he values most about the opportunity to skipper the Wilma Lee is supporting the multifaceted role she plays in the Museum’s mission to serve surrounding communities, especially through its education, outreach, and ecology programs.
Ask him about sailing, and Captain Bill would tell you how much he loves taking passengers out on the Wilma Lee – especially those who’ve not had the chance to be on a sailboat before. Bill has sailed for 35 years – mostly in the Annapolis area. His formal captain’s training began several years ago, as he trained to earn his D-qualification, which enables him to take Naval Academy midshipmen on offshore sailing adventures. While Bill has served as tour guide then crew aboard Wilma Lee, 2024 will be his third sailing season at her helm. Captain Bill would like nothing more than to take you sailing aboard our historic skipjack, Wilma Lee.
Captain Bill Schneider discovered his passion for sailing on the Chesapeake Bay nearly 40 years ago. Today, he considers it a privilege to helm the historic skipjack Wilma Lee. Bill’s favorite part of captaining is introducing both experienced sailors and first-time guests to the beauty and traditions of the Chesapeake Bay. He enjoys connecting with guests and sharing his enthusiasm for life on the water.
Captain Kevin Lyons has been sailing since childhood, inspired by a lifelong love of the water. A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he served 22 years on active duty, most notably as a rescue helicopter pilot, and now works in Coast Guard logistics. Kevin has volunteered aboard Wilma Lee since 2021 and became a captain in 2024. He is passionate about sharing skipjack history and helping guests understand the importance of preserving the Chesapeake Bay.
Captain David Adams is a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore with deep family ties to the Chesapeake Bay watermen tradition. His grandfather owned the Donna, a classic box stern workboat built in 1944 by Bronza M. Parks, the same builder as Wilma Lee. A U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master with extensive sailing experience, including offshore racing to Bermuda, David brings authentic maritime heritage to every voyage. He is dedicated to educating guests about the Bay’s ecosystem, history, and enduring watermen culture.
Captain Brian Flynn brings a lifetime of maritime and technical experience to Wilma Lee. Following a distinguished engineering career supporting submarine refueling and managing a chemistry and microbiology testing laboratory, Brian now pursues his passion for sailing. An accomplished ocean racer, he has completed three solo races from Newport to Bermuda and spends winters sailing in the Florida Keys and Bahamas. Brian especially enjoys watching young guests experience the excitement of dredging and discovering life from the Bay.
Captain Chris Yearwood graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College in 1988 and spent eight years working aboard tankers before becoming a Chesapeake Bay and harbor pilot. He served in that role for 28 years before retiring in 2024. Since moving to Maryland in 1989, Chris has been actively involved in sailboat racing, deliveries, and cruising. He enjoys sharing his extensive maritime experience and love of sailing with guests aboard Wilma Lee.
