Captain Richard McCann

Meet Captain Richard McCann

R. McCann has crossed the bay almost 34,000 times, equal to 23.6 times around the world.

Ferry captains frequently get asked if they can marry people on board. Capt. Richard McCann is no exception. When couples ask McCann to officiate their weddings on the ferry. “I tell them that if I do, they will be married only for the length of the crossing,” he says. Romantic requests on board are definitely a fun part of the job, and a fair weather event.

Many times in my career, we've been able to come to the aid of pleasure boaters in trouble and help them get rescued.

Captain R. McCann

Like his fellow captains, McCann also finds Mother Nature’s more challenging days rewarding. He gets a lot of satisfaction out of his ability to maneuver the ferry amid small boats, large freighters, and tankers. “Many times in my career, we’ve been able to come to the aid of pleasure boaters in trouble and help them get rescued,” he says.

McCann has spent his entire professional life on the water. Prior to joining the ferry crew, he served in the Navy. Then he worked in shipping as a mariner on deep-sea freighters and as a Merchant Marine captain.

A native of Cape May, McCann started thinking about working on the ferry when his father was a part-time employee there. He began his own career in 1979 as a ticket seller.

In 1984, McCann earned his mate and first-class pilot licenses. Two years later, he earned his master license to become a ferry captain. He’s crossed the bay almost 34,000 times, covering nearly 587,000 miles – equal to 23.6 times around the world.

Fun Facts About Ferry Boats & Ferry History

How many standard vehicles can each Ferry carry?

Each of the current Ferry vessels in the Cape May – Lewes Ferry fleet can carry 100 standard vehicles on the car deck.

How many passengers can each Ferry carry?

Each Ferry vessel in the Cape May – Lewes Ferry fleet can carry 800 passengers (we call them “Foot Passengers”) along with the 100 standard vehicles on the car deck.

If I want to be a Ferry Captain can I start working on the Ferry crew to get there?

Yes you can! Anyone age 18 and over may apply to join the Cape May – Lewes Ferry crew, if you become a crew member you will begin – most likely – as an Ordinary Seaman, and work your way up. This is called the Hawespiper method. Learn more in our blog about Becoming a Ferry Captain.

Where was the first Ferry in the United States?

The first ferry in the United States is the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, which began operating in 1655 across the Connecticut River. This ferry is also the oldest continuously operating one in the country, connecting the towns of Rocky Hill and Glastonbury.