Meet the Captains of Circle Line

Michael Duffy

With over 50 years of dedicated service, Michael Duffy is Circle Line’s longest-running employee and a true icon of the company’s history. He began his journey in the early 1970s as a ticket office ambassador and quickly rose through the ranks—serving as a deckhand, then a captain, and now overseeing all boat and crew scheduling operations.

Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of Circle Line’s past, Duffy has countless stories from the company’s heyday in the 1980s. A visionary as well as a leader, he dreamed up the concept for the BEAST speedboat in the late 1990s and proudly ran it for its first 10 thrilling seasons.

Whether behind the helm or behind the scenes, Duffy has helped steer Circle Line through decades of growth, change, and unforgettable voyages.

Kenneth Corcoran

Born in Washington Heights and raised in Inwood, Manhattan, Captain Ken has been with Circle Line since 1983. His journey began on the pier as a line catcher, and over the years he worked his way up through roles as a deckhand and Mate before becoming a Captain. He’s also spent time at the helm of fuel tankers in New York Harbor, but Circle Line has always been close to his heart.

For Ken, working at Circle Line is a proud family tradition—three uncles and nine cousins worked here before him, starting in 1956. Today, he carries on their legacy as the last member of the family still with the company. “It’s the people that make this job special,” Ken says. “I love meeting guests from around the world and putting a smile on their faces.”

Ken finds it hard to pick a favorite landmark—there’s just too much to love—but the Statue of Liberty holds deep meaning. It was the first thing his mother saw when she immigrated from Ireland. He also has a personal connection to Hamilton Heights, where his father grew up, and to Inwood, his own childhood neighborhood.

His best tip for visitors? “Be systematic—explore the city by sections: uptown, downtown, east side, west side. Take it all in! You can rest when you get home.”

If Ken had one perfect day in NYC, he’d start with a Circle Line cruise, visit Central Park, grab a bite at the Grand Central Oyster Bar, take in the view from Top of the Summit, catch a Broadway show, dance a little, and end the night on a Harbor Lights Cruise—his favorite time to sail.

Joseph Volini

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Captain Joe has spent nearly four decades on the water, with 26 of those years proudly serving as a captain for Circle Line. His maritime journey began humbly as a line catcher, then progressed through roles as a deckhand, oiler, and mate before earning his captain’s title.

For Joe, being a captain is more than a job—it’s a family tradition. His greatest inspiration is his father, a longtime Circle Line captain whose legacy lives on every time Joe takes the helm. “My father always inspired me. He was a good captain, and I’m proud to follow in his footsteps,” Joe says.

While he’s worked in a few other places, Circle Line has always felt like home. His favorite part of the cruise? “The Statue, of course—it never gets old.” And his top tip for visitors? “You’ve got to see the city from the water and from the top of a skyscraper.”

If he had a day off in New York City, you'd find Joe visiting One World Trade Center, catching a Broadway show, and cruising on the Harbor Lights. That twilight tour is also his favorite time to sail: “You get to see the city in the day and the night. It’s the best of both worlds.”

James Olsen

Captain James has been navigating New York City’s waterways with Circle Line since 1993, sharing his passion for the harbor and its iconic sights with millions of guests. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Denville, NJ, Captain James began his maritime career in 1979 as a deckhand on tugboats. After earning his first license in 1986, he worked his way up to Mate and then Captain, before choosing a new chapter with Circle Line—seeking a life off the tugboats and finding a job he’s loved for more than 30 years.

He now lives with his wife of 38 years on a tree farm in Boonton Township, NJ, where they cut, split, and sell firewood. A proud father of four and grandfather of four, Captain James values family, fresh air, and life on the land as much as life on the water.

He never grows tired of seeing the Statue of Liberty—his favorite landmark—and finds the greatest joy in connecting with passengers and his fellow crew members. His top tip for visitors? Plan ahead—give yourself time (and budget) to take in everything this amazing city has to offer.

On a day off, you might find Captain James biking around Manhattan, walking the High Line, or visiting the Museum of Natural History. For those setting sail, he recommends a morning cruise—less crowded and perfect for starting your day of adventure.

With decades of experience and a deep love for New York Harbor, Captain James brings both skill and heart to every voyage.

Ümit Yolcu

Born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Captain Emit brings hometown pride to every cruise. With three seasons under his belt at Circle Line, he’s known for his calm presence at the helm and his deep knowledge of New York Harbor. Before becoming a captain, he worked his way up from deckhand to mate at several ferry and tour boat companies, eventually captaining vessels around the harbor.

Captain Emit’s favorite landmark to cruise by is the Statue of Liberty at sunset—there’s nothing quite like that golden-hour glow on the water. His top NYC tip for visitors? Explore beyond Manhattan and head to South Brooklyn—especially Coney Island and Stillwell Park—for a true local experience.

What inspired him to join Circle Line was the high level of professionalism he saw in the marine crew—a standard that continues to motivate him every day. When he’s not at the helm, passengers might be surprised to learn he’s American-Turkish and a serious 9-ball billiards player. If he had a day off in the city, you’d find him taking a cruise around Manhattan and checking out the Edge balcony for the views.

His favorite cruises? Sunset runs past Lady Liberty—because no matter how many times he sees it, it never gets old.

Dick Sadler

Hailing from the nautical enclave of City Island in the Bronx, Capt. Dick Sadler—better known as Capt. D—has spent his life on the water. A third mate in the Merchant Marine, an able-bodied seaman on tugboats, a sailing coach, inventor, and former crew member of New York Water Taxi, his maritime resume is as wide-ranging as the harbor he navigates daily.

Since joining Circle Line in the spring of 2016, Capt. D has become a trusted figure at the helm, known for his expert handling of the vessels and his deep passion for the New York Harbor. He especially loves watching the excitement on passengers’ faces when they first glimpse the Statue of Liberty—a symbol he reveres for all she represents.

To Capt. D, Circle Line is more than just a job. “It’s a solid, trusted company—a New York tradition for 80 years,” he says. “Very highly respected throughout the harbor.” He values the camaraderie with his fellow captains and crew, many of whom have become like family.

Beyond Circle Line, Capt. D’s adventures have taken him around the world—from sailing with Ted Turner on the winning yacht Courageous in the 1977 America’s Cup to climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza three times during his merchant shipping days. A professional photographer with plans to launch his own harbor photography site, he’s as comfortable behind the lens as he is at the helm.

For first-timers, his local tip: plan, but always stay open to changing your itinerary based on what locals suggest. And for the full NYC experience? Start with an early breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, take in the skyline from the “Top of the Rock,” explore the city’s iconic museums, and end the day on Circle Line’s Harbor Lights cruise—his personal favorite. “There’s nothing like seeing New York lit up at night from the water. It’s pure magic.”