Shane Rich, Vessel Operations Assistant Manager
Argosy Cruises Team Member since 1996
Current Department: Vessel Operations
Hometown: New York, New York
Shane is one of Argosy Cruises' many came-up-through-the-ranks success stories. Arriving in Seattle in 1996 from New York with her bartending skills in tow, she signed on as crew, eventually training to be a captain. In 2015 she became the Assistant Manager of Vessel Operations. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the office or on the docks with a brighter smile, as much positive energy, or as fast a talker! And her enthusiasm for Argosy and customer service is utterly contagious. If a rising tide lifts all boats, Shane is Argosy's tide.
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What is your favorite Argosy vessel?
The Goodtime 3 was my first boat I drove, and it's a lot of fun. Especially doing all those Locks tours. But the Celebrations and the Champagne Lady get sent to a lot of foreign docks for charters since they are so small, and that's exciting for a captain.
What other Argosy department would you job shadow for a day?
The Sales Department feels like a different world from what I do in operations, so that might be interesting. Being on the Leadership Team, too: Steering the direction of the company with the long view down the road.
What makes Argosy such a unique place to work?
We're boats! There are so many variables in our daily work world that can make things fun and challenging, and unexpected.
What is your favorite cruise/part of a cruise, and why?
I love the fun summer chaos of summer Lake Union. There are just boats and people having fun EVERYWHERE. And every year, I would rather work on the Fourth of July than stay at home. You can't beat the views of those fireworks shows while you're out on the water.
If you could charter one of our boats, which one would you pick, where would you cruise, and what would you do on it?
I would have a big ol' family reunion on the Lady Mary. The top deck stern is so nice in the summer...gives you the feeling of being on an upstairs deck. And we'd head for the salt water to enjoy the Seattle skyline in Elliott Bay, then cruise over to Bainbridge Island to dip into Eagle and Blakely Harbors.
What is your favorite component of our cruises?
Our crew. And our accessibility to our guests. Passengers have so many opportunities to interact with the crew and captains here.
What is your favorite Seattle waterfront stop (besides us)?
Over by the Bell Harbor Marina there's a great lookout spot on the skybridge over Alaskan Way. Kind of a rooftop park thing. It's not touristy at all, and the views up there of the waterfront to the south are really amazing.
What is your favorite thing to do in town when you are not working.
I'd get sushi up on Capitol hill, visit Cal Anderson Park, and then get some ice cream at Molly Moon's!
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Captain Shane was featured in an episode of the Pedal Powered Talk Show when they visited Seattle in late 2016. Check it out!