Mark S. Blackburn, M.B.A.
Skipper for Hire
I have been professionally engaged in delivering yachts since 1973. I have delivered pleasure yachts up to 55' in length. I am not seeking any delivery jobs at this time. I expect to receive my 100-ton License from the US Coast Guard late in 2007. After this certification, I will again seek skipper positions. Many of the boats I have delivered were Grand Banks or Alaskan Diesel Trawlers for American Marine, Ltd.
I began cruising pacific waters at the age of 4, and have sailed extensively throughout Southern California, Baja California, Central America (including the Panama Canal), Puget Sound and Hawaii during the past 43 years.
In 2002 I made a 2000 mile voyage from Toronto to Miami using parts of the intracoastal waterway.
In 2003 I made a 700 mile voyage through the Bahamas.
Sailboat Racing: I have raced many types of sailboats from keel boats to multihulls to day-sailers. At age 16 I was a state champion of the Coronado 15 class. In college I was a team member of the UC Irvine team which won the 1972 US Sailing Nationals. Most of my sailing since 1980 has been on multihulls.I learned to navigate in the the pre-GPS era using Loran, ARDF, taking bearings, and attention to chart details & aids to navigation. I completed the 2 following United States Power Squadron courses by age 18:
* Basic Seamanship
* Advanced Piloting
Availability: I presently have occasional availability to make delivery trips of varying duration.
Rates: Negotiable based upon scheduling, duration, location, season, expenses, type of vessel & equipment.
To/From Mexico: I am especially adept at trips in Latin American waters. I speak Spanish fluently, and am familiar with customs clearing procedures, and the latest requirements for entry into Mexican waters.
Returning a Catalina-42 from Ensenda, Mexico, May 2001
Mark Blackburn
Mark S. Blackburn, MBA
1310 E Street Victorian
Sacramento, CA 95814
800.403.6275
Write to Mark: Mark_Blackburn@Yahoo.com