Casco Bay Island Transit District, also known as Casco Bay Lines, announces the appointment of Ben Dinsmore as its next general manager and chief executive officer. A seasoned maritime professional with over 25 years of global experience, Dinsmore brings deep operational expertise, strategic leadership, and a personal understanding of Maine’s island communities.
The Casco Bay Island Transit District is a quasi-municipal, non-profit corporation established in 1981. It has provided continuous public transit service to and from the islands of Casco Bay, seven days a week, 365 days a year for almost 45 years. Dinsmore’s appointment follows a national search and a unanimous vote of the Casco Bay Island Transit District board of eirectors. In his new role, he will guide the transit district through key initiatives, including fleet modernization, capital planning, and continued service reliability.
Raised on Maine’s coast and the son of a Maine State Ferry Service captain, Dinsmore has built a career rooted in maritime leadership. He has captained large commercial vessels, overseen new vessel construction, and held senior roles overseeing marine operations in both offshore oil & gas and renewable energy sectors.
He also previously owned R.E. Thomas Marine Hardware, a Downeast-based engineering company that manufactures marine driveline components for a variety of vessels, including the iconic Maine lobster boat.
A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in marine transportation, he later completed his MBA at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His career includes eight years of commissioned service in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
“Growing up on the coast of Maine, I developed a deep respect for the working waterfront and island communities,” said Dinsmore. “I understand the seasonal rhythms of life on the islands and the unique challenges they bring. Casco Bay Lines is more than a ferry service; it’s a lifeline, a connector of communities, and a reflection of the people who call these islands home. I’m honored to help steward that mission,” he said.
“Ben brings the strong leadership Casco Bay Lines needs as he steps into this new role,” said Senior Capt. Nate Mills, president of the Maine Marine Labor Association, the union that represents Casco Bay Lines employees. “From captaining commercial vessels to leading offshore operations and running a Maine-based marine company, he will be a real asset to our staff and community.”
Dinsmore lives in Brunswick with his wife Mary and their three teenage children. He officially assumed his new role on Sept. 15 and has already begun connecting with staff, passengers, and regional stakeholders as he prepares to step into the role.
For more information about Casco Bay Lines, visit www.cascobaylines.com.
Casco Bay Lines operates passenger, vehicle, and freight service year-round. Its ferries transport more than one million passengers, 35,000 vehicles, and over 500,000 pieces of freight annually. Casco Bay Lines also delivers the U.S. mail and transports island students to and from Portland.
