We’re heading into the summer season here at Casco Bay Lines. During these busy days, deckhands play a big role in making everything work smoothly.
We caught up with 19-year-old Camden Zsiga to learn more about his path to Casco Bay Lines, what a typical day looks like, and why he keeps coming back each summer.
CBL: Tell us a little about yourself.
Cam: I was born in Portland and raised in Scarborough. I graduated from Scarborough High School last year and just finished my freshman year at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. I’m studying business and figuring out exactly which direction I want to go with that.
When I’m not at school or working here, I’m also a Call Company Firefighter with the Scarborough Fire Department. I’ve been involved with the department since I was 15 through their Explorer Program, and I’m currently working toward getting my EMT certification.
CBL: How did you first get involved with Casco Bay Lines?
Cam: My dad is a firefighter on Peaks Island, so that’s how I first got my foot in the door. A lot of people who work here have some kind of connection to the islands, and I think that’s one of the things that makes this place special.
I started working here when I was 16 in the freight department. We’d take everything from luggage and groceries to commercial deliveries and large items heading out to the islands. We’d organize everything and load it onto the boats for the deckhands to deliver.
I’ve now been trained on both sides—shoreside in freight and out on the water as a deckhand—which is a helpful perspective. This is my fourth summer with Casco Bay Lines and my second summer as a deckhand.
CBL: What made you want to come back each summer?
Cam: This company is really, really great. Being an 18-year-old and getting to work on the water is pretty unmatched.
I’m not the type who wants to be inside working in the food industry or an office. If I can work with my hands and be outside all summer long, I’m completely happy and content. Everyone here is great. It’s a big community. Everyone looks out for each other, and over the years I’ve built a lot of friendships here.
It really feels like one big family.
CBL: Walk us through a typical day as a deckhand.
Cam: Depending on what you’re doing that day, you’ll arrive anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half before departure.
We get the boat ready for the day, coordinate with the captain and other deckhands, and switch up the lines. Then we’ll load the freight—moving carts and picking up cages of freight with cranes. Then we help passengers board.
I spend a lot of time on the freight boat, which serves several islands including Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Diamond Cove, Long Island, Cliff Island, and Chebeague Island.
Once we’re underway, we’re unloading freight, helping passengers, securing cargo, preparing for the next stop, and then doing it all over again at the next island.
It’s busy, but that’s part of what makes it fun.
CBL: What’s the most challenging part of the job?
Cam: Learning how to load the boats properly can definitely be challenging.
You’ve got freight going to multiple islands, different-sized cargo, and limited space. You have to think ahead and load things in a way that makes unloading efficient later on. It takes practice, but I enjoy that part of it. I like having to solve problems and figure things out.
CBL: What do you enjoy most about being a deckhand?
Cam: Talking with people.
I love meeting passengers and hearing their stories. Sometimes I’ll walk around the boat and have a chat with someone who may have binoculars out, find out what their story is and what they’re interested in.
I’ve also learned so much about Casco Bay just by working here. The captains have all this knowledge about the bay; the history of the forts, the lighthouses. You learn so much here and can pass that on to others.
And honestly, it’s great to be out on the water.
CBL: Has anything surprised you about the islands and Casco Bay?
Cam: What surprised me most is how connected the islands are to daily life.
A lot of visitors see the boats as a fun way to explore Casco Bay, but for island residents this is their transportation system. This is how they get to work, school, appointments—everything.
For example, some students on Cliff Island wake up incredibly early to catch the boat into Portland before school. It’s a different lifestyle than most people experience on the mainland.
CBL: What would you say to someone thinking about working at Casco Bay Lines?
Cam: I’d absolutely recommend it.
If you enjoy being outdoors, working with your hands, meeting people, and being part of a team, it’s a great job. You learn responsibility, time management, problem-solving, and how to work hard.
Every day feels rewarding, and you’re part of something that really matters to the island communities.
For me, it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had.