Robert Keating Burns Jr.

Captain Bob began his sailing career in 1963 as a high school sophomore, working as a deckhand aboard the schooner HINDU in Provincetown. He went on to serve as mate throughout his years at Newton North High School and Babson College, accumulating the sea time needed to earn his captain’s license. In 1969, Bob purchased the 55-foot schooner OLAD and launched his own passenger sailing business in Provincetown Harbor. He captained OLAD for 17 years, sailing extensively along the East Coast, as well as to Florida and the Caribbean during the off-season.

In 1987, Bob sold OLAD and acquired the 73-foot schooner BAY LADY II, which he sailed through the end of October 2025, completing an extraordinary 63rd season in commercial sailing. For most of his career, Captain Bob served as the sole captain of his vessel, sharing those responsibilities only in recent years with his son, Timothy.

Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathleen, and his seven children: Robert Burns III, Timothy Burns, and Suzanne Burns, all of Provincetown; John Burns and Mary Burns of Truro; and Alison Burns and Christine Burns of Somerville.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the Harbor Hotel, 698 Commercial Street, Provincetown.