Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center to Open May 2, Expanding Accessible Boating in the Chesapeake Region

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic and adaptive sailing programs for people with disabilities, will officially open its new Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center on May 2. The new center marks a major expansion of CRAB’s work helping people of all abilities access safe, inclusive boating on the Chesapeake Bay.

The project was championed by Paul Bollinger, CRAB’s president and chief executive officer, who first proposed an adaptive sailing center in 2016. Over several years he led fundraising efforts that relied primarily on donations to bring the concept to reality. Bollinger and his team navigated a long planning process and persistent obstacles to complete the facility.

At the heart of the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center is the Arthur and Patricia Edwards Family Marina. The marina includes two floating docks and a 140-foot main dock designed to provide stable access to vessels. To ensure safe boarding for guests with mobility challenges, the marina is fitted with two electric Hoyer lifts that assist people into boats.

The center’s fleet includes Beneteau First 22A sailboats that have been specially adapted for sailors with disabilities. These boats offer a balance of performance and accessibility, enabling participants to experience hands-on sailing while crew and volunteers provide support as needed.

The Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center is located at 7040 Bembe Beach Road, the site formerly occupied by the Port Williams Marina. The location provides convenient access to the water and room for the new docks and accessible facilities that support CRAB’s program activities.

Building an adaptive boating center required overcoming multiple logistical and regulatory challenges. “We constantly had to come up with a new strategy, a new angle or a new way of accomplishing this task,” Bollinger said, describing years of problem-solving and persistence. “We just never accepted no for an answer.” That determination helped the organization resolve construction, permitting, and funding hurdles to complete the center.

The Annapolis facility will allow CRAB to expand its therapeutic sailing programs, offering more opportunities for people with physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities to enjoy the benefits of being on the water. Adaptive sailing programs like CRAB’s typically emphasize skill-building, independence, social connection, and physical rehabilitation in a supportive environment. Trained volunteers and staff work with adaptive equipment and boat modifications to tailor each outing to participants’ needs and goals.

CRAB’s new center aims to serve veterans, people with spinal cord injuries, individuals with limb loss, and others whose mobility is limited, as well as family members and caregivers who want to share the boating experience. By combining purpose-built docks, electric patient lifts, accessible boats, and an experienced volunteer base, the center is positioned to expand inclusive recreational and therapeutic programming in the Annapolis area.

The opening of the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center represents a significant milestone for CRAB and for accessible recreation on the Chesapeake Bay. With dedicated infrastructure and a clear mission to remove barriers to boating, the center will provide a welcoming, safe space where people with disabilities can discover the physical and emotional rewards of sailing.

If you would like to learn more about the center’s programs, volunteer opportunities, or how to support CRAB’s work, contact the organization directly for current schedules and participation details.