OnKeuka! Outings c.2015 Crew is New York State Certified

Captain Mary Jo

Mostly female captains and 1st Mates. Captains have required NYS Public Vessel Operator –Joint Pilot Engineer certification and First Mates have their NYS Boater Safety Certification. We welcome all to join our crew with proper credentials and positive disposition. Trust us to navigate your cruising, make suggestions, take photos, serve you, answer questions and even engage in banter – or singing - if you desire. All guests receive owner’s private phone number for direct attention to any concerns with crew during or after your Outing. We always welcome new Crew that fits the OnKeuka! Outings c.2015 stellar service profile.

Fleet & Certifications

Come aboard knowing OnKeuka! Outings c.2015 has the required NY safety equipment and amenities for your carefree fun and comfort (Bluetooth speakers, WIFI, towels, ice, coolers, glassware, noodles, water saddles corkscrews, menus, phone chargers, blankets, etc.) for your safety and all those on the Lake around you. NYS Certified fleet of 2 (Scarlett, and Y-knot) 24ft Pontoon Cruisers offer lounge style seating, semi-shaded (aft sections), fully walkable areas, and hardy ladders. Ideal arrangement of seating for groups by comfy sections. Per New York State our boats are 2023 inspected Public Vessels (PV) operated under command of required NYS Public Vessel Operator (PVO)* with NYS Certificate of Occupancy onboard. Our insurance – hard to secure for most – is appropriate for all of our activities and above the minimum requirements. We maintain agreements with the docks we use (parks, restaurants).

*Safety Note: Never board a boat for hire that does not Display 5” Block Letters “PV” on the bow of the boat and an operator who doesn’t display their PVO certification. This notes it is a legal, NY State Certified, properly insured, and inspected boat with a hired NYS Captain. Questions | Unsure? Call NYS Safe Boats Marine Services 518-474-0445

Scarlett the Pontoon up to 10 guests

Y-knot accommodates up to 11 guests

Swim Waiver – at time of booking - managed by the Primary Booker

On board

  • Food and Drink of any kind permitted (Careful with items that stain)

  • Smoking not permitted

  • Avoid light plastic cups (solo) they blow away when half empty; Glassware NOT stem, is great.

  • Avoid paper plates and napkins. Hardy plastic plates are great, cloth napkins ideal.

  • Your music (our bluetooth speaker, wifi)

  • We provide towels and floaties and all safety equipment required as a New York State Public Vessel (Ferry) via NYS Parks Department Codes. As a Public Vessel Lifevests are not required to be worn by anyone.

Join Our Crew

Do you love to be on the water?

In the water? Enjoy meeting new people and assuring their happiness? Is your disposition a positive and curious one? Are you at least 15 years old? Our Owner would love to hear from you March -September.

Seeker of a higher ground?

We welcome congenial, safe and interesting Land-Captains for our 7-passenger SUV.

First Step to Join OnKeuka! Crew

  • Write a 10-sentence email presenting your best self and describing your interest and fit

  • Attach a resume and Captain MJ will call you.

  • No experience necessary; we train and certify for all positions.

History

April 2015

Mary Jo (Captain MJ) sought out to create a business that fulfilled a need in the Finger Lakes so she could move from Boston and be near her aging parents, Tony and Suanne. Incorporated as Keuka Water Transport LLC as a women-owned, women founded and self-funded start up. Year over year growth is attributed to listening to clients desired experiences and innovating from there. With a background in family businesses, a careter in startups, academic disciplines in innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, Mary Jo understood the value of client-centric product innovation and is proud of the business success all around. Staying nimble with offerings and unrelenting service, along with 100% satisfaction guarantee, absolutely. From fond childhood memories on, around and under Keuka Lake, and having always lived where there was a Water Taxi, she launched the OnKeuka! Water Taxi in May 2015.

Working with the Town of Urbana and Village of Hammondsport to establish a 15-minute dock in Depot Park for all to use (Fishing Charters, loading Grandma, medical emergencies, quick bathroom stops, disabled boats) the Taxi Service was busy brining couples to groups to and from the Village of Hammondsport. In the small 20 ft Pontoon, Captain MJ gleaned great data from her clients – and the weather - while transporting people from cottages to town, restaurant to restaurant. Passengers would quip… they “had no destination but wanted to cruise around the lake.” OnKeuka! Shoreline Cruises which included a “quick 10 minutes swim off the boat” of in front of the Bluff was launched. By 2016, a larger boat was needed and a 24 ft boat was purchased. As people noted the Shoreline Cruises did not allow for enough swimming time, and thus OnKeuka! Private Charters was launched.

2017

Tempted by seeing the hilltop wineries while on Cruises and Charters, guests wanted to include winery and brewery visits on their Outings, thus OnKeuka! Cruise & Vines and OnKeuka! Cruise & Hops were launched in 2017 to provide a combo half day excursion. As impressive chefs and tempting menus were populating in and around Keuka Lake, we knew that those temptations of the palate deserved to be sampled and thus OnKeuka! Cruise & Nosh Foodie Tour by boat and foot was launched in 2018.

2020

A very, very busy Covid era positioned OnKeuka! Outings as a unique haven of permitted in a world of not-permitted. When leaving NY state, going to restaurants, movies, friends, relatives, were all forbidden the perfect setting of an open air pontoon boat with lounge sections 6 ft from each other, proper cleaning protocols and moving in average combined-calculation wind over 20 mph, we were thrilled to be the soul-regenerating platform of escape, joy and peace for many front line hospital workers, families, friends and other groups.

2023

As a serial entrepreneur an exit is imminent, which is an opening for you? She is entertaining offers from those interested in seamlessly taking ownership of a profitable, enjoyable, seasonal business with high growth opportunity. Add it to your investment portfolio? Family business? Is this your new Keuka business? Please inquire with MJ.