Captain Robert K. Cook

OBMG Founding Member & President

Captain Cook graduated from SUNY Maritime College in 1980 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Physical Oceanography and Meteorology. He also graduated with an Unlimited US Coast Guard 3rd Officer’s license. 

After graduation, Captain Cook worked with Military Sealift Command Atlantic for 10 years. He served on Underway Replenishment Ships, ultimately becoming the UnRep Department Head onboard. While in the service of MSC, Captain Cook also oversaw all aspects of dry-dock operations and ship repair work both in domestic and foreign shipyards. In addition, Captain Cook served on a MSC Hydrographic Surveillance ship and received the National Unit Citation Award for work done in the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea. 

In 1993, Captain Cook became one of the first African American Marine Pilots in the US, in modern times, when he became a partner in the Pilot’s Association for the Bay and River Delaware. 

He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Maritime Academy Charter School, Grades 4-12, in Philadelphia. In addition, he is on the Board of the National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine, Transportation Board.

He and his family support numerous environmental and social economic causes from Ocean preservation to Food Insecurity. 

“I am most excited when I hear from the graduates and see them going forward with successful careers, becoming viable and productive members of society.”