‘This is Jerry’: How a Maine lobsterman and a seagull became friends

Captain Brian Rapp spends his days working the waters off Portland, Maine, but he is rarely alone. For the duration of the current lobstering season, a specific seagull has become a permanent fixture on his boat. The captain has even given his avian companion a name: Jerry.

Jerry arrives on the deck with consistency that rivals the tides. While seagulls are often viewed as pests by tourists and harbor workers, Rapp sees a different dynamic. He feeds the bird Goldfish crackers during his daily excursions, which has turned the pair into a local point of interest for those taking the Lucky Catch boat tours.

This interaction highlights a simple fact about life in Maine. Despite the busy nature of the fishing industry, space remains for quiet, unexpected connections between humans and wildlife. Jerry expects his snack, and the captain provides it, proving that friendship can take shape in the most unlikely of places.

The sight of a wild seagull waiting patiently on the bow of a boat for a familiar face adds a unique element to the routine of commercial lobstering. It is a reminder that nature is often closer than we think, even during the structured hours of a workday at sea.