OUR HISTORY
BRINGING 25 YEARS OF MARITIME EXPERIENCE TO YOU
BAY AREA MARINE SERVICES
Luis and Alison met in Seattle when he was an officer on board tall ship Cuauhtémoc and she was Executive Director of Sail San Francisco. They met by mistake when Luis missed the bus tour and was left onboard with no plans. Part of Alison’s job was to host the visiting tall ship’s officers and crew in every port. At this time, her group had all taken the bus tour with his friend, so they spent the afternoon together. The rest is history as they say.
With her interest in promoting international friendships and fostering peace in this way, and Luis with his interest in the same arena- through world travel on floating ambassador Cuauhtémoc, they found a common passion and bond. After living together for a year in Mexico, Luis decided to emigrate to the US. Alison and Luis married and welcomed Luis’ son into their life in 2007. Both have been happy to represent interracial and intercultural marriages in a bedroom community which knew few such a short time ago. Their vastly different backgrounds and experiences came together over collaboration in maritime enterprises, helping new immigrants navigate a new life in the US, mentoring youth who needed guidance and were hungry for opportunities and over their son Tiger who straddled both cultures as he grew into adulthood here in the US. Both believe that now, more than ever, kindness and tolerance are the keys to peace and understanding. They hope they are models which present an unlikely pairing which can be an example to those around them.
Luis and Alison founded Bay Area Marine Services in 2020 to fill the Bay Area need for naval engineers offering mobile services and with the ability to address all needs of any vessel. They are members of Tall Ships America and The Sausalito Chamber of Commerce. Alison is also a member of Ignacio Rotary and is Commodore of Rotary Sailing Fellowship. Luis and Alison live in Sausalito with their kitties Roxy and Tarzan and can be seen sailing on the Bay when they aren’t repairing boats, salsa dancing or traveling, their other passions.
Superior Qualifications
Luis Martinez
Luis hails from Mexico where he was an Officer in the Mexican Navy for 13 years before moving to Sausalito where he worked as a Senior Engineer at Blue and Gold Fleet for 13 years.
Luis had a freelance business for 12 years before founding Bay Area Marine Services and taking on multiple boats as well as large commercial vessels. He has a wealth of knowledge about any and all engines, electrical and electronic systems on small and large recreational boats, as well as on commercial vessels weighing up to 100 tons.
Luis loves to troubleshoot and to solve the “unsolvable” for his clients. Luis has a thirst for new knowledge and cutting-edge solutions and materials and is regularly solving previously unsolvable problems for his client’s boats.
Luis is a licensed Naval Engineer, and a Captain and pilot. He graduated from the Mexican Naval Academy & Graduate School with honors and later received a Certificate in Advanced Project Management from Stanford Business School.
Luis Martinez
OWNER, CAPTAIN AND ENGINEER
Professional Experience
EDUCATION:
Work History:
Qualifications:
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS:
Alison Healy
Alison is a Marin County native who has been CEO and Founder of several nonprofit and corporate businesses over the last two decades. She got the sailing bug when she became a deckhand on the Tall Ship HMS Rose and sailed from New York to Halifax and the Great Lakes and later, when she was Director of the 1999 CA Sesquicentennial celebration of Tall Ships, “The Gold Rush Race” in California.
She founded Sail San Francisco to further the participation of international Tall Ship ambassadors and to promote international friendship and goodwill on the West Coast. Her experience has allowed her to work across many cultural boundaries while carrying a torch for public diplomacy and peace. She is passionate about engaging in projects which show her commitment to improving communities and bettering lives around the world.
Coming back full circle to sailing, her involvement with Bay Area Marine Services is a natural fit for Alison. And yes, she still loves to host Tall Ships when they call on port in San Francisco!
Alison studied Business Communication at Harvard and Sustainability & Business Management for the Environment at Stanford Graduate School. She was awarded a BFA in Photography and Art History.
Alison Healy
OWNER, BUSINESS MANAGER
Some Words from our Fan Club:
``Luis taught me how to repair my engine virtually. He walked me though maintenance and created a personalized plan for my vessel. He also helped me virtually to trouble-shoot periodic problems. I saved a lot of money by having him teach me via video camera. He is patient and an exceptionally creative problem-solver.``
– M. Hillsdale: Owner, Beneteau Oceanus 54’
Some of our Commercial Clients
We believe in paying it forward!
A percentage of every client’s payments will go to support our-kid focused charities of choice.
