Captain Bruno

When asked his favorite port, Star Flyer’s Captain Brunon “Bruno” Borówka says that all he asks for is a tall ship and crew to sail her by.

From an early age, Captain Bruno dreamed of a career at sea. Growing up in Poland near the water, he spent his childhood watching the boats on the lakes, wanting to experience sailing for himself. He would visit the local harbor and watch the training vessel, Pomorza, knowing that one day he would be on a sailing ship.

Captain Bruno first sailed with Star Clippers as second and third officer from 1995 to 1997. He rejoined the line in 2001 as chief officer aboard Star Clipper, and in 2002 he became master of the vessel. Today he commands both Star Clipper and Star Flyer, going between the ships.

The first and only member of his family to go to sea, Bruno attended Gdansk Maritime College in Poland and then spent four years at the Gdynia Maritime Academy. Here he sailed aboard training and cargo ships, including Pomorza, the very same ship he watched as a child.

In 1982 he became employed with the Merchant Marine Academy in Gdynia and took out Dar Młodzieży, a three-masted fully rigged sailing vessel. From 1994 to 2000 he worked for various companies, including the Polish Steamship Company and Polsteam, but he always returned to Dar Młodzieży for the summer season. Early in his career he enjoyed taking part in tall ship races. One of the most memorable was an around-the-world voyage in 1987 that included rounding Cape Horn.

While on board, Bruno can be found enjoying a good book or on deck during “Captain’s Storytime” discussing whatever the guests want to talk about. He considers the history of sailing his hobby and enjoys talking about navigation — especially celestial navigation — and the tall ship itself.

He resides in Gdansk with his wife and two children.