Michael Keyworth

Michael’s career reflects a lifetime of passion for sailing and significant contributions to the recreational marine industry. With extensive experience navigating a wide range of boats, Michael’s early career was defined by his role as captain of several large sailing yachts, including:

• A 58’ Booth Bay Challenger, which he sailed from the Northeast U.S. to the Caribbean.
• A custom 73’ Alden sailing vessel, which he guided from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean.
• An 83’ sailing yacht, which he sailed around the world to participate in the most prestigious offshore races across the U.S., Europe, the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.

Michael holds a 100-Ton Master’s License and eventually transitioned to a shore-based role to start a family. He joined Brewer Yacht Yards, now Safe Harbor, where he managed Cove Haven Marina and continued to support the recreational boating community.

Driven by a commitment to improve the industry, Michael became actively involved with the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association. He played a key role in advocating for cleaner state waters, reducing boat taxes for Rhode Island residents, and creating thousands of new jobs within the sector. He also contributed to the Clean the Bay initiative, focusing on the restoration of Narragansett Bay. For his efforts, Michael was honored with the Alfred A. Hawks Award by the Rhode Island Legislature in 1995.

Today, Michael remains an influential figure in the marine community through his work with the Cruising Club of America. He uses his 50 years of offshore sailing expertise to enhance safety measures for participants in the Newport Bermuda Race, ensuring the next generation of sailors is well-prepared for offshore challenges.