Meet Our Captains
The experienced mariners behind memorable sails, harbor cruises, education programs, and historic vessel experiences aboard CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY.
Guiding guests through the beauty and history of Oyster Bay Harbor
The WaterFront Center’s captains bring professional skill, local knowledge, and deep respect for Oyster Bay Harbor to every trip aboard CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY.
Whether welcoming students aboard for the first time, leading public tours, supporting camp programs, or preserving the traditions of our historic vessels, our captains help make every experience safe, meaningful, and memorable.
The people behind the experience
From longtime captains to dedicated volunteer crew, the people aboard CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY help bring the history, mission, and spirit of The WaterFront Center to life on and off the water.
A community built around the water
Our captains and crew represent a strong tradition of seamanship, volunteerism, and stewardship, helping create meaningful experiences for students, passengers, and the Oyster Bay community.
Captains of CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY
Meet the captains who share their experience, stories, and love of the water with our community.
Captain Stephen Beyer
Captain Peter F. Macandrew
Captain Pete is a seasoned mariner, sailing instructor, and longtime Head Captain of CHRISTEEN, with decades of experience in sailing education, charters, offshore racing, and maritime heritage.
Captain John Wilson
John first learned to sail in Oyster Bay in 1993 and returned to The WaterFront Center after retirement as a volunteer crew member. Today, he helps students, campers, and guests experience Oyster Bay from the water.
Captain Gary W. Cassidy
Gary is a lifelong Oyster Bay sailor with more than 60 years on the water and over 125,000 nautical miles. He brings seamanship, teaching experience, and a passion for accessible boating to every trip.
Captain Mike Polo
Mike brings more than 40 years of fishing and boating experience on Long Island waters, along with deep local knowledge and a lifelong connection to the boating lifestyle.
Captain Alfred Lizza
Captain George Ellis
Captain Jeanne Beyer
Captain Penny Leibold
Experience behind every sail
Captain Peter F. Macandrew
Captain Peter F. Macandrew is a lifelong mariner whose career has included sailing instruction, charter work, offshore racing, marine services, and maritime education. He earned his United States Coast Guard Captain’s License in 1985 and later upgraded his license to 100 tons.
Captain Pete owned and managed a sailing school in Florida, captained charters in the Virgin Islands and The Bahamas, and later returned to Long Island, where he managed the Offshore Sailing School in Manhasset and served as Director of the former Oyster Bay Sailing School. In 2001, he began his more than 20 year tenure as Head Captain of CHRISTEEN, helping preserve and share the story of The WaterFront Center’s National Historic Landmark oyster sloop.
Now semi retired, Captain Pete remains dedicated to wooden boats, sailing traditions, maritime heritage, and the conservation of natural resources.
Captain John Wilson
John Wilson’s connection to sailing in Oyster Bay began in 1993, when he learned to sail at The Oyster Bay Sailing School, now The WaterFront Center. He and his wife earned their ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing and ASA 103 Coastal Cruising certifications, later sailing Long Island Sound with their family aboard their Newport 28.
After retiring in 2022, John returned to the harbor as a volunteer trainee crew member aboard CHRISTEEN. He quickly became part of The WaterFront Center community and now serves as a captain. John especially enjoys taking students and campers out on the water and helping guests experience the history and beauty of Oyster Bay Harbor.
Captain Gary W. Cassidy, OTR/L
Growing up in Oyster Bay, Captain Gary Cassidy developed a lifelong love for the water. Over more than 60 years of sailing, he has logged more than 125,000 nautical miles aboard vessels ranging from 6 to 650 feet. He holds a 100 Ton Master Merchant Mariner Credential with sailing endorsement.
Captain Cassidy has been involved with The WaterFront Center since its earliest days and was named Lead Captain of CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY in 2023. Before that, he taught sailing for the former Oyster Bay Sailing School and the Smithtown Department of Recreation for more than 15 years.
In addition to his maritime work, Gary is a licensed Occupational Therapist with more than 40 years of experience. He is especially passionate about making boating accessible to individuals of all abilities, combining his sailing background with his therapeutic skills to create meaningful experiences on the water.
Captain Mike Polo
Captain Mike Polo is a United States Coast Guard Certified 50 Ton Master Captain with more than 40 years of experience fishing and boating on Long Island waters. Raised in Northport, Mike grew up clamming, lobstering, and working on the water.
After graduating from Cornell University and completing a 30 year career in finance, Mike returned to his passion for boating and fishing. His experience spans the North and South Shores of Long Island, from Oyster Bay and Fishers Island to Freeport, Block Island, and the Northeast Canyons. He brings a strong working knowledge of local waters, seamanship, and the Long Island boating community to The WaterFront Center.
Become a CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY Crew Member
The WaterFront Center is supported by a dedicated community of volunteers who help care for our historic vessels and share Oyster Bay Harbor with students, passengers, and visitors. Their work reflects our mission to build a community of stewards who will help protect the harbor for future generations.
CHRISTEEN was first built in 1883, and it was through the work of volunteers that she was restored, modified, and continuously maintained for education programs and public tours. Their commitment to our flagship has earned them the name of The 1883 Society.
IDA MAY, a replica of one of the first engine powered oyster dredges, was also brought to life through the dedication of volunteers, professional shipwrights, and marine engineers. After 12 years of craftsmanship and more than 33,000 volunteer hours, IDA MAY now serves as a classroom on the water and carries forward the maritime heritage of Oyster Bay.
Join the 1883 Society of CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY Volunteer Crew and become part of the team preserving Oyster Bay’s maritime traditions for the next generation.
Experience Oyster Bay Harbor With Us
Step aboard CHRISTEEN or IDA MAY and see Oyster Bay from the water. Our captains and crew are proud to share the history, ecology, and beauty of the harbor with students, families, visitors, and community members throughout the season.