Mark Thompson
Mark is a Chief Instructor accredited under the RYA programs and has taught hundreds of students in the art of sailing and the nuances of running catamarans. One critical issue he shares is the ability to smoothly and silently communicate and operate theses large powerful vessels.
Mark grew up in Melbourne Australia and joined the maritime industry after a career converting inner city office buildings into trendy apartments. During a year spent traveling the world he discovered a sailing career while driving through Viareggio Italy and thought "you mean I get paid to sail?".
His love of sailing is infectious and his calm, patient demeanor has empowered hundreds of students to consider a bareboat charter and many to purchase their own boat.
Whatever your level of expertise, the practical time spent with Mark will be enlightening and your certification will open up a world of sailing opportunities.
The Principal and Chief Instructor for Yachting Education is Mark Thompson. He has a significant sailing resume including multiple Atlantic Ocean crossings and experience in Caribbean, Mediterranean, Australian and USA waters.
Mark's career has centered on charter catamarans including a 5 year captaincy aboard the luxury yacht S/Y Lone Star. At 85' she was at one point the largest charter catamaran in the Caribbean and after crossing the Atlantic, Mark and his crew hosted families on more than 100 weeks of charter.
Ali Soylu
With over 30 years of maritime experience, Captain Ali brings a world-class pedigree to the Chesapeake Bay. From his early days sailing in Istanbul to over a decade navigating the Mid-Atlantic, Ali’s life has been defined by the wind and water.
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A dual-certified mariner, he holds the prestigious Yachtmaster Ocean credentials—the gold standard of global seamanship—alongside a USCG Master license. As a veteran instructor for the RYA, ASA, and NauticEd, Ali has transitioned his focus from high-performance sailing to the refined art of cruising and advanced seamanship.
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Based in Baltimore, Ali is known for a calm, methodical teaching style and a deep technical mastery of vessel systems, from precision rigging to complex marine electronics. When he isn’t mentoring students at the helm, he serves as a cornerstone of the local maritime community, providing dedicated leadership and operational expertise to a premier sailing center.
