Crew

Jan Miles, Captain
Captain Miles joined Pride, Inc. in 1981 and was one of three rotating Captains on the original Pride of Baltimore. He is a tall ship master with more than 35 years of experience as a professional sailor.  His voyages include five Atlantic Ocean crossings, as well as three Pacific voyages of 5,000 miles, each taking about 25 days.  He has traversed the Saint Lawrence Seaway more than a dozen times.  Captain Miles holds a USCG 500 Ocean Master License for Power and Sail, as well as numerous other certifications.

Prior to joining Pride, Inc., Captain Miles served as master or mate aboard 15 vessels, including Lady Maryland, Californian, Bill of Rights, New Way, Alexandria, Brilliant and Clearwater. Along the way he also helped develop model sailing programs for youth at risk. His accomplishments and contributions to the tall ship sailing profession have been recognized both within and outside of the maritime community. He was named Marylander of the Year by the Colonial Society of Maryland in 2001 and Sail Trainer of the Year by the American Sail Training Association (ASTA) in 2003.  In 2005, he was honored with the first Special Seamanship Award by Sail Training International, which was awarded to the ship for seamanship demonstrated during dismasting.  Captain Miles is currently participating as a Steering Group Member for Sail Training International on a project to develop self-assessment tools for Sail Training program evaluation.

Jamie Trost, Captain
Now in his fourth season as Partner Captain for Pride of Baltimore II, Captain Trost began sailing small boats at an early age and has been working aboard and commanding traditional vessels for 12 years. In 2010 he commanded Pride II for the entire Great Lakes Tallships’ Challenge Series, an international four-race contest. Pride II placed First Overall in the Series, earning her the Perry Bowl for a record-tying third time. Captain Trost holds a USCG 500 Ton Masters License Power and Sail as well as numerous other certifications.

Captain Trost has an extensive background in War of 1812 Maritime History.  In addition to his Pride of Baltimore II experience, Captain Trost has been Master aboard the Schooner Lynx, another reproduction 1812-era Chesapeake Bay topsail schooner and Chief Mate of the U.S. Brig Niagara, hailing from his hometown of Erie, PA.  He brings vast knowledge regarding the history of that era that he uses to educate the public about the role Baltimore Privateers played in the conflict. Captain Trost’s non-1812 experience includes sailing as Master of the Schooners Sultana, Denis Sullivan, Wendameen and Bagheera, as well as Mate of Amistad and Inland Seas.

In addition to his maritime experience, Captain Trost has a Bachelors Degree in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he was Captain of the Crew team. His writing and photographs have been published in Time Asia, Sailing and Chesapeake Bay Magazine. He also speaks Japanese, having taught English in a small farming town of Bisei-Cho in Okayama Prefecture.

Sarah Whittam: A native Marylander who grew up sailing in Annapolis. Six years sailing experience on traditionally rigged wooden vessels.  Last sailed on Pride of Baltimore II in fall 2011 as Bosun; served as deckhand on the 2007 tour.  In 2010 sailed as 2nd Mate aboard the Lady Maryland.  Sarah has also sailed on A.J. Meerwald and the Spirit of Massachusetts.  Certifications include 100 Ton Inland Master, 100 Ton Near Coastal Mate, AB sail. 

John Pickering: A native of Long Island, NY, John became interested in sailing while working for the Living Classrooms Foundation.  He has been sailing for 6 years.  He first joined Pride of Baltimore II in 2010 and served as Engineer.  John has spent countless hours in the cramped engine rooms of several tall ships, including Virginia, Spirit of South Carolina, and Pride of Baltimore II.  Other previous experience includes Lady Maryland, Mildred Belle, and Skipjack Sigsbee.  John is Certified AB Sail. 

Josh Rosenthal:  A native Baltimorean, Josh grew up on the water and sailed in High School.  He has experience on a number of wooden vessels. 

Rohan Rao:  A native of Long Island, NY, Rohan began sailing in High School.  After experiencing a couple of ocean transits on a catamaran, was hooked.  In 2009, he joined the crew of the Oyster Sloop Christeen.  In Fall 2010 and for the spring and fall of 2011, sailed about Soundwaters.  Rohan’s certifications include U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, SCUBA PADI Open Water Diver, CPR/First Aid.

Emily Gustavsen: A native of New Jersey, Emily has been sailing her entire life.  Emily has an extensive list of vessels on which she has sailed, including Niagara, Irving and Exy Johnson, Lynx, Westward, Spirit of Massachussetts, Harvey Gamage, Highlander Sea, Mystic, Denis Sullivan, Geronimo, and Unicorn.  Her certifications include EMT-B, BST, Advanced Firefighting, Celestial Navigation, 200 Ton Near Coastal Master, AB Unlimited, AB Sail STCQ-95, and Lifeboatman.

Chris Whitlock:  A Baltimore native, Chris has been sailing for 30 years.  He is no stranger to traditional wooden sailing vessels, having worked aboard the schooners Pride of Baltimore II (3 seasons), Sultana, and Ernestina.  In addition to his sailing experience, Chris has worked as a boat builder, blacksmith and mechanic.  Certifications include 100 Ton Inland Master and Great Lakes, AB Special, AB Sail, PSC and BST.

Corey Alexander:  Corey is another Baltimore native.  He became interested in sailing during college.  He has spent much of his time sailing based out of New England.  His experience spans the gamut from personal vessels to working as delivery crew.  He has worked as crew aboard the schooners When and If, Mystic Whaler, and Heron.

*Crew Photos provided by Greg Pease.