The Mission

The Mission

The Cape May Maritime Museum is dedicated to preserving the United States Coast Guard and commercial maritime history of the Cape May, NJ area. Alliances and partnerships include local schools, the USCG, national maritime museums plus local cultural, historical, and commercial organizations. 


CMMM is envisioned to become a world class regional educational institution and a resource for community educators, members and visitors as well as the only institution in Cape May dedicated exclusively to the study of the regions maritime history and culture. CMMM is planning to make its research, collections and library accessible to scholars and learners of all ages.

Our Vision

Our current project is the restoration of the USCG lifesaving and rescue boat, CG-36538 [circa 1952] with a projected launch year of 2023. It is currently listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. Once completed, the CG-36538 will also be officially included on the National Historic Register.


The Motor Lifeboat CG-36538 is also of the same class as the notable CG-36500 [circa 1946] pictured below left, which saved 32 crewmen in 1952 and was featured in the Disney movie, The Finest Hours. It was the greatest USCG rescue of all time. 


Once back on the water, the CG-36538 will be utilized for educational purposes by offering complementary vessel tours and ticketed harbor cruises during the summer and early fall tourist seasons.  It will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to experience what is was like to be a crew member during this proud period in our maritime history.  Special showings of Walt Disney Picture’s The Finest Hours are also planned.  The CG-36538 will accompany the CMMM in our continued support of the annual Coast Guard County Community Festival.


History of the Motor Lifeboat CG-36500

Our legacy harkens back to the era of the same 36-Foot Motor Lifeboat-Type TRS class as the CG-36500. Once the restorations are completed, our vision is for the CG-36538 to also become sea worthy with a much-anticipated target launch some time in late 2022!

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