CAPT. BOB YEOMANS served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1966 to 1970 with a rank of 3rd Class Boatswain's mate. Bob obtained his original passenger carrying ocean operator's license in 1972 and has worked in the charterboat business as well as the commercial fishing industry. Bob has constructed 3 vessels, the 42' Erica Lee, the 56' Robert E. Lee and the 48' Erica Lee II. He now operates the Erica Lee II as a "floating classroom" for Coastal Discoveries which he and his wife, Lee, founded in 1988. When not operating the Erica Lee II for Coastal Discoveries, Bob is busy with fishing charters and commercial tuna fishing.
LEE YEOMANS, after observing the enjoyment her children and their friends had on board their vessel the Erica Lee, came up with the idea for a marine program for kids. Bob, Rob and Erica agreed, and Coastal Discoveries was born in 1988. Lee completed a course in environmental education for children at the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point in Rye, New Hampshire, and has participated in many Project WILD workshops through the Audubon Society. She is instrumental in the day to day operation of Coastal Discoveries and continues to research new topics for the program.
BEN BOUDROW is a former Coastal Discoveries attendee who joined our crew in 2005. He played soccer for Pentucket Regional High School for 4 years, and was selected as a captain during his senior year. Ben is now a senior at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
SETH LATTRELL was in our program for 2 years and joined our crew in 2000. Seth graduated from Central Catholic High School where he was a three season athlete serving on the football and wrestling teams and was a pole vaulter for the track team. He attends the University of Connecticut at Avery Point, where he is studying marine science. With his maritime studies, Seth hopes to have a future in maritime law and fisheries management. Seth is PADI (Professional Asso. of Diving Instructors) certified and carries a NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) certificate.
BETH ABBOTT-BISHOP Beth has been with us for 23years - 6 years in our program and 17 years as an employee. Beth attended Lesley College and Mount Ida College where she studied early childhood development. Beth is a licensed marine operator, and CPR and first aid certified. When not aboard the Erica Lee II, Beth can be found either chasing her 6 year-old daughter Kaley around or up to her neck in seashells. Yes, she sells seashells down by the seashore and you can find out more about this venture at www.anislandgirl.com.
HANNA PATTIE attended Coastal Discoveries for 3 years and is now in her 7th year as an employee on the boat. Hanna is a sophomore at Stonehill College and is a member of their equestrian team. She hopes to pursue a career in journalism and photography. When not on the water, Hanna is an avid equestrian. She has been riding for the past 14 years in the hunter/jumper catagory. Her horse, "Quiet Flight", is also known as Tucker.
Sam Burke spent 5 years with Coastal Discoveries and joined our crew during the summer of 2010. She is currently a senior at Brooks Academy where she has played 4 years of varsity field hockey and lacrosse. Sam is also CPR and first-aid certified. She will be attending Northeastern University after graduation in 2011 where she will play field hockey and major in environmental studies.
TIM HEALEY is one of our licensed captains for the Erica Lee II, holding a 100 ton license. He started with Coastal Discoveries three years ago, and has crewed aboard our vessel for 5 years with off-shore deep-sea charters and commercial tuna fishing. An avid skiier, Tim attended Vermont Technical College and spent two years in the Peace Corp in Belize and Punta Gorda. Tim is PADI certified, a qualified survival suit expert (he can teach others the proper way to don their survival suit) and both first aid and CPR certified.
