 Captain Bruce A. Figular
Currently residing in Toms River, New Jersey, Bruce Figular has been involved in many aspects of boating, most of which stemmed from his employment with the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit. Bruce was actively involved in search and rescue, dive operations, drug interdiction, traffic control, boat fires, boating and fatal boating accidents, plane crashes and emergency towing operations.
Although now retired from the State Police, Bruce has been boating for 30 years. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, ocean swimming and rowing, and spends most of his time offshore and around New Jersey on his Sea Ox Sport Fisher. He also owns a Van Duyne Life Guard Boat, his personal favorite.
Having been part of the State Police Marine Unit has made for many interesting and unique experiences on and off the water. Bruce says that being able to apply your knowledge, training and experience to successfully perform an open water rescue with multiple victims in the most extreme conditions brings a strong sense of pride. Now, Bruce takes the knowledge gained from these experiences and applies them in the classroom at Mariners School where he teaches. He also offers a word of advice to fellow boaters: “No matter what you think, always stay with the boat.”
Bruce holds a USCG Masters Near Coastal license and is an American Red Cross certified CPR and First Aid instructor. He is also a New Jersey State Certified EMT, PADI certified Open Water Rescue Diver, is certified in Sea Airlift Command and is a firefighter. Bruce is also an alumni life member of the United States Lifeguard Association.
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 Captain John Henderson
An invitation from a neighbor to go sailing sparked a lifetime of interest in marine life for John Henderson. The Wayne, New Jersey resident has been boating for more than 40 years. He spends most of his boating activities in the Long Island Sound to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Barnegat Bay, Metedeconk and Toms River.
Throughout the years, John has been involved in several marine related activities such as full-time sailing instruction and boat delivery. Since 1980, he has been sailing with Sea Scout Ship 104 of Packanack Lake as a Skipper and co-ed sails with teenagers (ages 14-20) on the Long Island Sound to the Islands.
Working as a sailing instructor and delivery captain, John operates a variety of boats. When sailing with the scouts, he uses a 31-foot Dufour Sloop, but he loves his Jet 14 Racing Sloop, which he has been racing since 1976.
As a USCG Licensed Captain, John is also certified by the American Sailing Association as a 100 Ton Instructor Evaluator to the Advanced Coastal Cruising level. He holds an "N" Celestial Navigator designation and is a member of the US Power Squadron.
John enjoys sharing his boating experiences with students at Mariners School. His most unique experiences are being in the Bermuda Races in 1983 and 1985, and taking a memorable cruise from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia on a 41-foot Morgan Ketch.
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 Captain Al Heuschkel
Fishing and sailing expert Al Heuschkel spends the majority of his time boating on the Atlantic Ocean and Inter-Coastal from Sandy Hook to Cape May, New Jersey. The Skillman, New Jersey resident has several licenses and certificates including a USCG Auxiliary Basic Boating License, a USCG Auxiliary Advanced Coastal Navigation License, an ASA Sailing Instructor, an ASA Coastal Navigation Instructor, and a USCG Master License with Towing Endorsement. The 45 year boating veteran grew up on the Jersey Shore and owns a 26-foot Black Watch.
Al’s most significant achievement was sailing for eight days through the British Virgin Islands. In his spare time he enjoys water fowl and small game hunting.
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 Keith Jackson
As an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified sailing instructor and United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain, Keith Jackson spends most of his time teaching on the water in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, and delivering boats along the East Coast.
Residing in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Keith has always been passionate about boats and loves sailing the waters at night. Keith also pursues a second passion, being a pilot.
Thirteen years ago Keith was given the opportunity to take a sailing lesson. Several years later, in 1996, he bought a 22-foot Herreshoff Eagle sailboat, and two years later Keith became a sailing instructor at the New Jersey Sailing School—where he continues to teach today.
A major achievement in Keith’s life was being named by the American Sailing Association as one of the top 12 sailing instructors in the country for the last five consecutive years. His boating activities involve 22- to 25- foot sailboats, boat instruction, charters, deliveries and boat maintenance.
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 Peter Marco
Margate, New Jersey resident Peter Marco has been fascinated with boating since his first sailing lesson when he was nine years old. Since then he has spent a large amount of his time on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and has earned his 50 Ton Master License, as well as being an ASA Certified Instructor.
Peter has been boating for 50 years and owns a J-120, 40-foot sailboat. His most memorable marine adventure was cruising to Cape Cod and the New England Islands. When Peter isn’t water bound between Chesapeake and Annapolis, he enjoys biking and jumping overboard for a swim.
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 Captain Norm Meshaw
As Captain of the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild, 1902 Tug Boat Jupiter, Norm Meshaw has been boating for over 40 years. He was also a mate on the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild’s 1883 Gazela Primeiro. The Blackwood, New Jersey resident has a 50 Ton Near Coastal Masters License. Norm spends most of his time boating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cape May, New Jersey.
Norm’s interest in boating was sparked at the young age of four when his grandfather took him fishing for the first time. Norm is now the captain of a charter boat that docks in Cape May. Norm is also a skipper for a ship at Philadelphia Maritime Charter School. In his personal time, Norm drives a 26 foot Sportsfisherman and enjoys world travel.
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 Captain Chuck Moon
Chuck Moon, of East Haven, Connecticut, boasts many boating licenses and certifications including an OUPV, Near Coastal License, a 50 Ton Master Inland and Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. Chuck’s boat of choice is a 23-foot Center Console. With 25 years experience under his belt, Chuck charters many fishing trips on the Long Island Sound and enjoys boating on the waters off Port Canaveral, Florida. The highlight of Chuck’s career was winning a Star Island Shark Tournament on day one for the Largest Mako shark.
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 Chuck Nucci
Being 50 miles out on the ocean is no special occasion for mariner Chuck Nucci. Chuck, who resides in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey has been boating since 1978. Chuck has a 50 Ton Masters License and owns a 25-foot World Cat Center Console. Chuck also runs a 40 Passenger Head Boat in Ocean City, New Jersey during the summer.
Chuck became infatuated with the water at a young age and quickly took up boating and fishing. He enjoys the Florida Keys and even got married on the beach. When he is not busy on deck, he enjoys camping and spending time with his family.
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Captain Andrew Seligman
Being born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Andrew Seligman has always been passionate about marine life. He currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and actively partakes in racing and cruising sail boats, teaching sailing for various American Sailing Association schools, sport fishing and teaching sailing to new sailors at the Liberty Sailing Club.
Andrew has several licenses and certifications including a USCG Basic Boating Skills and Seamanship License, a State of NJ Safe Boating and AMNH – Coastal Navigation License, an American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification, an ASA Standard certification, BKB, BCC, CON and OVPV License, and an ASA Instructor License. He will soon have a Masters with boating and sailing endorsement. He spends most of his aquatic time on the New York Harbor, New Jersey Shore and Bays, Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay.
“I was introduced to the sea before I could walk,” said Andrew, whose grandparents and uncles were avid sailors. Andrew’s grandfather used to race to the Isle of Mann in the Irish Sea in a 23-foot sail boat.
Andrew races a J-27-foot Flying Scott 19 and he chartered various boats averaging 40 feet. He has been boating since he was eight years old and sailing for 12 years. One of his greatest achievements was exploring the Caledonian Canal, including Loch Ness, with his uncle at age nine. Andrew is also an environmental scientist working for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In his spare time he enjoys cooking, international travel, environmental issues and learning about other cultures.
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 Captain Bill Weyant
After taking care of a friend’s boat, Bill Weyant decided that he wanted to be involved in marine life. Twelve years later he has his 50 Ton Master Inland License and owns his own 1998, 33-foot Rinker Power Boat. Bill lives in Havre de Grace, Maryland and spends most of his time boating on the Chesapeake Bay and C&D Canal. He’s involved in recreation power boating and some fishing.
Bill marks his most significant marine achievements as deep sea fishing in Ocean City, Maryland and taking trips to St. Michael’s, Annapolis, Baltimore, and Rock Hall, Maryland. In his spare time he enjoys computing and building decks.
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 Captain Ron Willson
Ron Willson is a lover of salt water and fresh water fishing and sailing. Although he currently owns a 25-foot Walk Around Cuddy, his life abroad started on a small motor boat at his family’s cottage, that his parents taught him how to run. The Bethel, Connecticut resident spends most of his time aboard the Long Island Sound. Ron is actively involved in the Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrols. He also has a 50 Ton Inland Masters License.
Ron’s greatest achievement was sailing aboard USCG Cutter Barque Eagle during OpSail 2000 in Connecticut. Ron is also involved with the US Power Squadron, the Bridgeport, Connecticut Sea Scouts, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Southern New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. When Ron is not occupying himself with marine activities and groups, he operates an Amateur Radio (N1IBQ) and is a member of the Eureka number 83 Masonic Lodge in Bethel, Connecticut.
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