Cape May – Lewes Ferry Selects New Port Captain - Veteran Ferry Employee Stan Hansen Promoted

(Cape May, NJ)  Today, Cape May – Lewes Ferry officials announced the promotion of Captain Stan Hansen of North Cape May, New Jersey, to serve as Port Captain for the Cape May – Lewes Ferry service.  Captain Hansen, who has more than 40 years of experience in the maritime industry, will begin his official duties effective November 3, 2014.

The Port Captain is responsible for ensuring that Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) vessels, including the Cape May – Lewes (CMLF) fleet and the Delaware City – Salem Ferry service, are crewed, operated, and maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements, Authority standards, and customer expectations.

“Stan’s credentials and experience are the perfect match for the Port Captain position,” said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. “He has the skill, leadership ability and problem solving skills to a make a positive difference at the Ferry.   He’s a consummate professional and a great addition to our management team.”

“Captain Hansen has served the Ferry’s customers and his fellow crew members with dedication and integrity.  He is a credit to his family and his community. We are fortunate to have such a fine leader ready to assume this command,“ added Scott Green, Executive Director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.

“I appreciate and value the Authority’s faith in my abilities to oversee and manage what I consider the best ferry service in America,” said Stan Hansen, a 26-year veteran of the Cape May – Lewes Ferry operation.  “With the experience and knowledge I bring to the table, I look forward to meeting the challenges and opportunities ahead as we continue to enhance our ferry service for our customers and employees.   What a tremendous opportunity!”

Captain Hansen joined the Cape May – Lewes Ferry as an Able-bodied Seaman in 1988.  Captain Hansen has served in a number of roles, each with increasing levels of responsibility – including Mate, Pilot and Captain.   During his tenure, Captain Hansen also served as the MV American River Project Captain (1997), led the Lewes Terminal Finger Pier Docking Project (2000) and reorganized and revamped the Three Forts Ferry operations (1998).  Prior to joining the Ferry, Mr. Hansen owned and operated five different commercial fishing vessels.

Hansen holds numerous maritime licenses, including Inland Unlimited Tonnage Masters license, First Class Pilot of Any Gross Tons upon the Lower Delaware Bay and a Master of 500 Gross Tons near Coastal Waters.  A lifelong Cape May County resident, Mr. Hansen resides in Cape May with his wife, Christine.

About the Cape May-Lewes Ferry

The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962.  The Ferry is open year-round and has carried more than forty two million passengers since its inception on July 1, 1964.  In 2013, the ferry service, which connects Victorian Cape May, New Jersey, and historic Lewes, Delaware, transported approximately 275,000 vehicles and nearly 1 million passengers. For schedule, rates and other program information, please visit the ferry’s website at www.CMLF.com, or call toll free, 800-643-3779. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CMLFerry.