Bob Adriance
Assistant Vice President, Technical Services

What do you do at BoatUS Marine Insurance?
I’m the Technical Director, so I address a lot of technical questions for both BoatUS Members, policyholders and staff. I head up the Captain’s Locator Service, and oversee the information on our Hurricane Preparedness website.

I also edit and write for Seaworthy our Damage Avoidance publication for policyholders, and authored the book, Seaworthy (published by McGraw Hill). Both teach boaters how to avoid claims and mistakes that could endanger their boat and guests. I also write articles for BoatUS Magazine and for the Coastguard Auxiliary Association’s “Beacon” newsletter.

How does your job impact our product or policyholders?
The Seaworthy newsletter probably has the most impact. It informs our Policyholders as to why accidents happen and how best to avoid them. I’m also able to tell people about the other resources available to them.

How many years have you been with BoatUS?
31 years this October. BoatUS is a great place to work. And it helps that I love boats. It’s always great when you can work in an industry that you love.

Do you own a boat? If so, what kind and where do you use it?
I own a Saber362 Sailboat. And I keep it in West River, MD.

Most unusual phone call, claim or assignment while at BoatUS?
I went to an NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) meeting one time and sat next to a guy who was the captain of a 980ft. container ship. I asked him if he gave rides, and he said yes. So I went down the East Coast from Charleston, South Carolina to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. On another trip, I rode down the Mississippi on a towboat pushing five acres of barges, and got to steer for awhile! I wrote articles about both trips so technically I was working.

Your favorite vacation spot?
I love Vermont, specifically Lake Champlain.

Tell us something that nobody knows about you.
Although I am a published author and technical expert, I started at BoatUS in the product division, before West Marine purchased it, in the warehouse loading and unloading trucks.