New leader takes helm at sea base

Sailing instructor joins Newport facility as executive director and sets to work on new programs for Scouts.With the addition of a new executive director this week, the Newport Sea Base is now fully staffed and preparing to launch new programs, base officials said Friday.

Former sailing and windsurfing instructor Charles Abbot was chosen from among 60 applicants as the sea base’s director. He replaces Catherine Malm at the helm, an educational sailing facility operated by the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Malm left in October with plans to write a children’s book and to spend more time with her two young children.

“Charlie had a fantastic attitude about partnering with other organizations,” said Lära Fisher, marketing director for the Boy Scouts’ Orange County Council. “He’s got great sailing skills as well as great teaching skills.”

Abbot was out of town and unavailable for comment Friday.

He has a bachelor’s degree in economics and most recently worked as a research analyst in Long Beach. Abbot has been the first mate on a tall ship and has taught sailing, windsurfing and keel-boating in California and Connecticut.

Berkeley Green was named in December as the base’s new program director, after teaching sailing there for two years. He also has taught at UC Irvine and Chapman University.

The previous program director, Knowlton Shore, left the base in September 2005, complaining of mismanagement by a county Scout executive.

Green, in his new role, has started several new programs including teaching kids about flight, which will begin in March, when Scouts will be able to pilot radio-controlled airplanes. Flying has a lot in common with sailing, Green said, and Scouts can work toward an aviation badge in the class.

He also plans a marine-adventure club and hopes to expand opportunities for volunteers, who provide vital services to the base’s small staff.

The sea base will change its operations from about 100 days a year to more than 300 days of activity annually, Green confirmed.

Its main goal is still youth education, and that’s where Green’s heart is.

“We’re really teaching life skills,” he said, adding that though he doesn’t always say so to the kids, when they learn sailing skills they’re also learning responsibility, communication and confidence.