Bob Thomson grew up in a sailing family on Long Island’s Great South Bay in New York, cruising the south shore bays to Block Island Sound and southern New England ports. In those early years, Bob was also active in one-design racing, worked as a keelboat sailing instructor, and made his first offshore passages.

Bob went on to a career in the U.S. Coast Guard. His assignments included serving as a deck watch officer at sea, directing search and rescue missions, managing aids to navigation systems, and supporting boating safety programs. Serving at various duty stations along the way, Bob sailed on waters ranging from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Now retired from his post-military career, Bob enjoys cruising the Chesapeake on his own boat and operates Chesapeake Horizons Sailing to share his passion for sailing and safety on the water.  

Bob holds a Coast Guard 100-ton master license and is certified as an instructor by the American Sailing Association (ASA) and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC). He is a member of the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association.