Captain Emeritus Larry Kezner trucked the M/V Fremont Avenue to Seattle from Cleveland and over the past 20 years has made it a fixture on local waters. In 2021, Captain Michael Luis took over the business and leads the crew into a new decade of fun on the water.
Captain Mike
Captain Mike learned to sail on Lake Washington when he was eight years old, and has been on the local waters ever since. He served two years as Chief Boatswain of the Sea Scout Ship Argo, based on Mercer Island, and has owned and sailed a number of boats since then. His current personal boat is a 1976 C&C 42 foot sailboat. Captain Mike holds a U.S. Coast Guard 50-ton Inland Master’s License, with endorsements for sailing and emergency towing.
Before taking over the Fremont Avenue, Captain Mike had a long career in the world of politics and public policy, and served a term as Mayor of the city of Medina, on Lake Washington. He is also a historian, and author of several community history books, as well as Century 21 City, an economic history of the Seattle area.
Stop by the wheelhouse and say hello!
First Mate Erika
Erika Piltz has served as crew aboard the Fremont Avenue since 2015. Erika is responsible for safety in the cabin, handling lines during docking and selling tickets and concessions. She is a local native and currently attends Western Washington University in Bellingham.
Brew Cruise Host Joanie
Joanie Vivaz created the famous Fremont Brew Cruise and hosts Seattle best after-work party. Joanie also fills in as crew on charter runs.
Joanie is a native of Sausalito and grew up riding the ferries of San Francisco Bay. She is a serial entrepreneur whose latest venture, the Fremont Brew Cruise, is a big Seattle hit.
Captain Emeritus Larry
You can find Captain Larry filling in occasionally aboard the Fremont Avenue, still delivering his best lines.