MaineBoats Blog
Boating safety course can be taken online
Friday, April 27th 2018
The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife offers Maine boaters many ways to take boating safety courses, but now there is a new option that saves money. The Pine Tree State now offers the free online BoatUS Foundation boating safety course to residents.
New ferry rates will take effect in May
Tuesday, April 24th 2018
The Maine Department of Transportation plans to implement a new flat rate ticket pricing structure at the Maine State Ferry Service on May 21, standardizing ferry prices across the entire system.
A key component of the new rate structure is an overall decrease of more than 10% to the truck/freight rates to help keep the costs to Maine businesses supplying goods and services to and from the islands competitive.
Maine Maritime Museum to Relaunch the Mary E
Friday, April 13th 2018
This spring, following a nearly year-long restoration at the Maine Maritime Museum, the 1906 schooner Mary E will be launched into the Kennebec River for the third time in her storied career. The public is invited to the museum for a celebration and recommissioning ceremony on Saturday, June 9, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Back Cove Yachts introduces the Back Cove 34O. (Yes “O” is for outboard)
Friday, April 13th 2018
Recognizing the increasing popularity of outboard propulsion, the Back Cove Design team has produced the first ever Back Cove with standard Yamaha 300 HP engines. Optional 350hp Yamahas and 350hp Suzuki engines are also available.
Third Annual Camden Classic Regatta on tap for July 26-28
Tuesday, April 10th 2018
Presented by Lyman-Morse, the Camden Classics Cup, now in its third year, is a two-day regatta that opens the classic racing season in Maine. The 2018 dates are July 26-28.
Grant will help state’s efforts to understand endangered Right Whales
Monday, April 9th 2018
With 17 North Atlantic right whale deaths last year, there is growing interest among stakeholders, including regulators and the Maine lobster industry, to improve the data on which future regulations are based.
A new grant from NOAA will help the Maine Department of Marine Resources collect better data, starting this summer.
Seacoast Mission President to Retire
Wednesday, March 28th 2018
Maine Seacoast Mission President C. Scott Planting has announced that he plans to retire "late this fall." A search is underway for the Seacoast Mission’s next leader, led by its board of directors.
Proposed ferry fare hike delayed
Monday, March 26th 2018
Maine DOT needs to fill a $700,000 hole in the budget for the Maine State Ferry Service, but a proposed rate change and price hike met with resistance, prompting the commissioner to delay a final decision until later this spring.
Hinckley launches "Sport Boat" line
Monday, March 26th 2018
The Hinckley Company has added two new high-performance models to its lineup of luxury yachts: the Sport Boat and Sport Boat Center Cabin. Both boats are 42’7” long with a beam of 12’5”. Three Mercury Verado 300 HP fourstroke outboards combined with the lightweight carbon fiber construction materials allow the boats to reach top end speeds over 60 mph.
New director for maritime museum
Monday, March 26th 2018
The Penobscot Marine Museum has hired Karen E. Smith, Ph.D., as its new executive director. Smith will join the museum from the Cedar Falls (Iowa) Historical Society, where she served as executive director for six years.
Lobstermen part of project to test different life jackets and to promote wearing them
Friday, March 16th 2018
A project sponsored by the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety seeks to persuade more lobstermen to wear personal flotation devices. In commercial fishing, vessel disasters typically are the leading cause of death, but for lobstermen, it is falling overboard — 17 New England lobstermen died this way between 2000-2016, out of 30 overall deaths reported.
C.W. Hood Yachts introduces sleek new 24' daysailer
Thursday, March 15th 2018
Stephens Waring Yacht Design in Belfast has partnered with C.W. Hood Yachts in Marblehead, Mass., on a sleek new 24' daysailer, called the Hood 24. The first model was introduced at the New England Boat Show in March.
Kennebunkport Marina Welcomes Shawn Dumas as Operations Manager
Thursday, March 15th 2018
Industry veteran Shawn Dumas has joined Kennebunkport Marina as operations manager. In this role, he will help the marina prepare and plan for future growth and expansion. Dumas has worked in the marine industry in Southern Maine since the early 1980s.
Value of Maine's lobster landings drops by $100 million
Friday, March 2nd 2018
Maine's 2017 lobster landings and per-pound value dropped from 2016, but overall value remained fourth highest ever.
Washburn and Doughty wins $8.8 million contract for new Maine State Ferry
Friday, February 23rd 2018
Washburn and Doughty in East Boothbay has won the contract to build a new $8.8 million Maine State Ferry Service verse. The new 154-foot ferry will have three main deck lanes, for a capacity of 23 cars or a mix of cars and trucks, as well as 250 passengers.
Land-based salmon farm planned on former mill site
Friday, February 23rd 2018
A Maine company calling itself Whole Oceans has announced plans for a land-based salmon farm at the site of the former Verso paper Mill in Bucksport. At full production, the company will create hundreds of direct jobs and invest more than $250 million in Bucksport, according to a press release from the company. Plans call for producing 50,000 metric tons of Atlantic salmon per year.
Norwegian company to build one of the world's largest land-based salmon farms in Belfast
Tuesday, January 30th 2018
After assessing international markets and conducting comprehensive site searches throughout New England, Nordic Aquafarms, headquartered in Norway and one of the premier international developers of land-based aquaculture, has signed agreements to purchase 40 acres on the outskirts of Belfast, where it will build one of the world's largest land-based salmon farms.
Mini Venetian Limousine Tender Under Construction at Hodgdon
Monday, January 22nd 2018
Hodgdon Tenders, the superyacht tender division of Hodgdon, is building a mini verion of its highly successful Venetian limousine tender. The 6.5 meter vessel (21’4”) currently is the smallest member of the Venetian line, which ranges from 6.5 to 12 meters.
Free Education Series Celebrates Dynamic Maine Businesses Pioneers, innovators & Maine
Wednesday, January 17th 2018
Join the Owls Head Transportation Museum for a four-part series of events that celebrates the pioneers and innovators of Maine's business community. The first session, Jan. 20, will feature marine-releated business, Bath Ironworks, and Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, as well as the Stanley Museum, which tells the story of the brothers who invented the Stanley steam car, among other innovations.
New owner for Boothbay Harbor Shipyard
Wednesday, January 10th 2018
Andy Tyska, president of Rhode Island-based Bristol Marine, has announced the acquisition of Boothbay Harbor Shipyard. Located at the head of Boothbay Harbor, the shipyard joins Bristol Marine’s two other locations of working waterfront, including boat yards in Bristol, Rhode Island, and Somerset, Massachusetts.
