July 2010 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 9. News from the Apprenticeshop of Rockland


Maria Simpson of Rockport Marine Joins the Board of The Apprenticeshop On Saturday, May 22, Maria Simpson of Rockland was voted in as the newest director on the board of The Apprenticeshop. Simpson grew up in Maine and spent her summers sailing in Penobscot Bay. She at- tended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and graduated with a degree in En- glish Literature. After working for several years in book publishing, she moved back to the states and began working on tall ships in the summers and boatyards in the winters. Her travels included taking high school stu- dents on a voyage to Hawaii on LYNX, and traveling the Saint Laurence Seaway into the Great Lakes on PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II. She was involved in the re-build of HARVEY GAMAGE at the North End Shipyard. She obtained her 100-ton Master’s license in 2005 and captained APPLEDORE II out of Camden, Maine, that same year. Simpson began working at Rockport Marine in 2006 as a rigger. Currently the yard manager, she meets with customers, coordi- nates projects, markets the boatyard and manages employees. Simpson is an avid sailor, cyclist and volunteer teacher at the Community School in Camden.


“I joined the board of The Apprenticeshop because I have grown to love its tight-knit community. As a Mainer and a sailor, I am excited to become a part of a school that continues the traditions and values that are close to me. Furthermore, as a person who works in the wooden boat indus- try, it is important to support a school that imparts the skills necessary to keep this trade vibrant and viable. I am honored to join such a fine group of people!” Simpson said.


Award Winning TV Host Steve Thomas to Speak at The Apprenticeshop Emmy-Award winning Steve Thomas, former host of the popular television series


“This Old House,” and current star of Planet Green’s “Renovation Nation,” will speak at The Apprenticeshop in Rockland on Thurs- day, August 12, 6:30 p.m. as part of the school’s Second Thursdays at The Apprenticeshop series. While Thomas’s authority as a home improvement expert is well-known, it was his passion for sailing and the sea which led him to an apprenticeship in nautical navigation in the South Seas and which will be the topic of his talk at The Apprenticeshop.


In the early 1980s, Thomas journeyed to the remote Micronesian island of Satawal to learn the ancient technique of star path navi- gation under the master navigator Mau Piailug. His experience there resulted in the critically acclaimed book The Last Navigator, published in 1987. The next year he returned with a film crew to shoot a documentary of the same title for the PBS series, Adventure, which consequently led to his role on “This Old House.”


“In my post-college years, I became in- spired by an old dream,” Thomas explains, “to go to the Pacific islands and live among a seafaring people who were fully attuned to the sea’s natural rhythms. This quest led me to Satawal, and Mau Piailug, the fully initiated navigator, or palu. Piailug took me into his family, assumed responsibility for my mate- rial and political well-being, and taught me his navigation without reserve. The knowledge he gave me about navigation is considered priceless in his culture. The knowledge he gave me about myself, I have come to see, is priceless as well.


“Piailug told me, ‘To be a palu you must have three qualities: fierceness, strength, and wisdom; the knowledge of navigation brings all three. Fierceness, strength, and wisdom, Steve. That is a navigator, and a navigator is a man.’ “


The Apprenticeshop’s executive direc- tor, Eric Stockinger, notes, “We invited Steve


TES VISITS MYSTIC Continued from Page 7.


submarine base, where we were saw the first nuclear submarine NAUTILUS in her berth at the Submarine Museum and then several others, fast attack submarines, that were in port. On our way down the Thames River we passed Electric Boat, which had several more submarines at their docks being worked on. We then headed out into Long Island Sound where they opened up the SEA JET to over 30 knots.


It was then back to the dock, on to the bus and back to the Hyatt Place at Mystic, which concluded a great weekend. Now it is time to debate where and when to host the


to share his experience as an apprentice with us because it is similar to what we aim to achieve at The Apprenticeshop. Our educa- tion model is experiential and intended to foster inner growth. While learning how to build and sail a boat are the medium in which students learn and grow, the result of appren- ticeship and the most valuable take-aways of the program are tools of a more personal nature. Qualities such as patience, self-reli- ance and the ability to solve problems on one’s own are the ultimate achievement of


Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, the show is one of the four largest in-water boat shows in the country, the Newport Interna- tional Boat Show features both power and sail boats displayed over 13 acres along America’s Cup Avenue. More than 750 ex- hibitors with over 600 boats ranging in size from 16 to 100 feet on display, plus kayaks, inflatables, equipment and accessories of all types. Including PassageMaker Magazine’s TrawlerPort, highlighting trawlers in all sizes and styles, and a “Multihull Lagoon” featur- ing a full display of sail and power multihull yachts. Plus, services, such as financing, insurance, storage, surveying, repair and maintenance can be seen throughout the show. Also, there will be demonstrations, seminars and workshops,


The producers of the Newport Interna- tional Boat Show will once again present “Newport for New Products™” — the official venue for U.S. debuts of all new boats and boating products an industry-wide promo- tion that will recognize the best of the boats and boating products being introduced for the 2011 model year at the NIBS show. Look for the red and blue balloons signifying a new product/boat at the show.


Waterfront News apprentices.“


A book signing will happen directly after the talk, with copies of The Last Navigator available for purchase.


A limited quantity of tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in advance for $10, and $15 at the door. The entrance fee includes a chance to win an Apprenticeshop- built Susan skiff to be raffled off the same evening. For tickets call 207.594.1800 or stop by The Apprenticeshop at 643 Main Street, Rockland (Monday-Friday).


Newport Boat Show 16-19 September


A Reunion of the America’s Cup 12 Metre Legends to be held at the show on Thursday, September 16th at 5PM. Entrance to this forum is Free. A panel of some of the most famous names in the race’s history will be speaking at the forum. Gary Jobson, ESPN’s Yachting Commentator and co-chair of the reunion, will moderate. For more infor- mation go to our web site. Hours: Thursday – Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets: Advance tickets available on


line. Tickets purchased at the show on Thursday, VIP Day, are $27.00 ($24 on-line plus processing fee). On Friday, Saturday or Sunday the tickets are $18.00 ($15 on-line plus processing fee). Friday only is Military and Newport County Residents’ Day - all tickets half price with ID. Thursday thru Sunday children under 12 free when accom- panied by an adult.


Parking: FREE Shuttle Bus Service will run from Easton’s Beach/First Beach lot all four days.


Contact: Tel. 401-846-1115 / 800-582- 7846 or visit our web site …www.newportboatshow.com


next tug event. Detroit maybe Norfolk. The Tug exhibit at the Seaport was made possible with a $149,136 grant from the Insti- tute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Numerous others made donations and gift- in-kind support included: American Water- way Operators, the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, the Community Foun- dation of Southeastern Connecticut, the Dibner Family Foundation, G&H Towing, Professional Mariner, and the Tugboat En- thusiast Society. Mystic Seaport is hoping to match the IMLS grant funds in total. For more information on Mystic Seaport and this ex- hibit visit www.mysticseaport.org/ tugsblast.


BECOME A MEMBER!


Become a member of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association. For racers and supporters -- $20.00.


Send name, address, telephone number and e-mail to: MLBRA, P.O. Box 710, Winterport, Maine, 04496.


124 prexar.com


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