Captain Robert d’Arcy
Robert is a licensed United States Coast Guard 100 ton Master, a captain of Martha, and the project manager for all of her restoration projects. Martha has been under the stewardship of The Schooner Martha Foundation since 1996. Each year, Robert completes major restoration projects on Martha with the help of many volunteers. Captain d’Arcy grew up sailing on the East Coast with his family and building boats with his father. He worked at Mystic Seaport Museum for 5 years doing historical research, and as shipwright helping to restore the Charles W. Morgan. He and his family had the chance to sail with the crew of the schooner Alcyone in the Pacific in 2005-2006 in the Pacific.
Captain Emma Gunn Thomson
Emma Gunn Thomson was born and raised in Port Townsend, WA. She grew up sailing around the Puget sound and has been working on the water since she was a teenager. Starting as a sailing instructor at local summer camps, she now holds a USCG 100 ton master mariners credential and has thousands of sea miles experience. Emma sailed with Martha as a youth and as deckhand and race crew. Her experiences aboard Martha instilled in her a love for sailing and teaching.
Captain Kris Day
Kris Day is excited to be a part of the Martha family and to help steward this classic vessel into the future for generations of sailors and adventurers yet to come. He holds a 100 ton Master’s License and brings aboard with him a background working in traditional sailmaking, rigging and ship’s carpentry. Though, it is his passion for education and for getting more people out onto the water that truly drives him, along with a love for introducing youth and adults alike to seamanship, navigation, adventure and wonder.
He carries with him a passion for wild places, the natural world and for adventures through the wilds. He is happy to bring his family aboard as well as yours and to welcome you to the Martha crew. He looks forward to sharing his understanding of natural history and seamanship, while further exploring the PNW. When he’s not aboard, you will often find him in the garden, the kitchen, or rambling through the forests and mountains that we’re so fortunate to call home.
Holly Kays
Holly worked for Sound Sails in Port Townsend and gained experience on local schooners. In the summer of 2001 she was able to join the Alcyone family to sail from Maine to Galway, Ireland, and again in 2005-2006 in the Pacific. Holly continues to work part-time, seasonally for Sean Rankins at Northwest Sails. Robert and Holly’s daughter Mary was born in the spring of 2003. Since then, Mary has been an integral part of the crew on board Martha.
Mary d’Arcy
Mary is an invaluable member of our crew, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for sailing to our team. Her journey began at Port Townsend High School, where she honed her skills and developed a profound love for the sport. During the summer months, Mary can be found at the Maritime Center, where she generously shares her knowledge and expertise with aspiring sailors. Her commitment to teaching sailing not only demonstrates her proficiency but also her desire to pass on the joy and art of sailing to the next generation of enthusiasts.
One of Mary’s greatest passions is racing, and she eagerly participates in races with both dinghies and larger boats. Her competitive spirit and exceptional sailing skills make her a formidable opponent on the water. Mary’s dedication to perfecting her craft and her willingness to take on new challenges have earned her a reputation as a driven and accomplished sailor. Mary is currently a junior at Western Washington University pursuing environmental science but returns to Martha whenever her schedule allows.
Chance Bates
Chance is a regular crew member aboard Schooner Martha, known for his videography, foredeck leadership, and quirky sense of humor.
Board Members
Patience Schoene
Patience is an Operations Senior Manager at Moss Adams with over 16 years of experience in finance and wealth management. Patience has driven efficiency using KPIs, technology implementation, workflows, and team restructuring. She leverages her diverse background in Biochemistry and history as well as her skills in business development, executive management, and team leadership to drive strategic planning activities and business process improvement projects. Patience is passionate about creating non-traditional career trajectories and has spearheaded initiatives such as competency customization, ROWE (Results Oriented Working Environment), and flexible work schedules. Patience is also involved in the community and has founded her own women’s leadership group focused on leadership development and charitable causes.
Pete Marshall
-Associated with Martha since late 1990’s
-Shipwright
Kristen Huntley, Bookkeeper
Kristen earned a BBA in Accounting from the College of William and Mary and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She has worked as a CPA with PwC in Richmond, VA and as a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division in New York and London.
Sonia Frojen
Sonia Frojen is a sailor, a lover of outdoor adventure, a planner and ‘connector,’ and a dog-mom. She lived in Port Townsend for almost 20 years before moving to Seattle in 2021 for some new opportunities. She is returning to Port Townsend in Spring of 2024 to work with young people again and to be closer to her maritime community.
She loves sailing aboard Martha as regular crew for the chance to be on the water on the Salish Sea, to work together to make the boat sail well, and for the trip planning and logistics. Highlights of the past summer (August) trips included seeing orca whales, setting the gollywobbler (Big Blue), and getting to live aboard and unplug.
Adam Henley
30 plus years in the Maritime trades as both supplier of materials and a tradesman. Recently retired from custom home building and currently operates a yacht restoration business specializing in vintage racing yachts. Past and repeat fleet captain of the Puget Sound 6 meter Sailing association. Long standing member of the International Six Meter Association. Founding member of the Port Townsend Sailing association. Lifetime sailor both local and international.
Kathleen Knoblock
Kathleen Knoblock has been involved with Martha since the 1990s when the Foundation was established. She is a long-time wooden boat sailor and resident of Port Townsend, WA. She is a retired public school teacher, a member of the Port Townsend City Historic Preservation Committee and co-chair of The Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival.
Christopher Hanke
Christopher Hanke is the operations manager for Puget Sound Express, Martha’s neighbor in Port Townsend. He has been sailing on Martha since 2010 and got to be crew on Martha’s offshore challenge and Trans-Pac in 2015. In his spare time he likes playing with his family. Christopher and his wife Hailey have 3 sons Paul, Daniel and Silas.
