Capt Alex Blackwell

Alex is a lifelong sailor and passionate sailor. Together with his wife Daria, he has completed three Atlantic crossings and has spent years cruising the coasts of North America and Europe, as well as the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands, and the Atlantic islands on their Bowman 57-foot ketch, Aleria. His dream to go cruising had started in the late 70's on a two week cruise aboard the original Asgard. Battling through a severe gale that coincided with a fastnet race that claimed several yachts was a life altering experience. It taught him tremendous respect for the sea, confidence in a sturdy boat, a love for a ketch rig and above all, that one can do anything if one puts one's heart and soul into it.

Alex holds a 100ton USCG Master's license with sailing and towing endorsements and Master's degree in marine biology. Alex is a member of the Irish Cruising Club, American Yacht Club, Mayo Sailing Club, and the Seven Seas Cruising Association, for which he delivers global seminars/webinars on anchoring and cruising topics and serves as the "cruising station" for Ireland.

Alex co-wrote the well received book about boat anchoring: "Happy Hooking - The Art of Anchoring". He is also the author of "Oyster Delight by Jonathan Mite", the definitive guide to enjoying oysters.

He has published extensively in US and British print magazines and e-zines. Co-founded the popular website www.coastalboating.net "about places to go and things to know". He co-founded the children's charity sailing event, Sail4Kids Make a Memory Cruise in support of the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. In 2008 Mr. Blackwell received the Commodore Kenneth J Starkweather Trophy from American Yacht Club "For outstanding service to American Yacht Club". In 2007 he received the Donald B. King Trophy from the International Society for Perpetuation of Cruelty to Racing Yachtsmen "For running an event that clearly dwarfs anything any race committee could ever create and bringing hope and joy to our most precious assets, our children."