Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS February 2011


Maine Coastal News P.O. Box 710


(207) 223-8846


Winterport, Maine 04496-0710 U.S.A. E-mail - igmatats@aol.com


Web site: www.mainescoast.com Fax (207) 223-9004 Publisher's Note


Remember about five years ago when we battled to save the Boat School at Eastport? At that time it was the Maine Community College system that was trying to strangle it to death. Well guess what, it looks like we may have another battle regarding the Boat School.


Maine Coastal News is dedicated to covering the waterfront of State of Maine. It covers commercial fishing, yachting (power and sail), boat yard and waterfront news and maritime history. Maine Coastal News is published 12 times per year. The distribution of Maine Coastal News is from Eastport to Kittery and is free on the newsstand. It also can be by subscription. A year subscription, 12 issues, is $20.00. A single copy is $2.00, which covers the postage. Foreign rates for subscriptions are $40.00 per year. The Maine Coastal News office is located at 966 North Main Street, Winterport, Maine. Comments or additional information write: Maine Coastal News, P.O. Box 710, Winterport,


Maine 04496.


About four months ago Marlow Yachts of Palmetto, Florida raised some eyebrows along the coast when they released a statement that they were interested in purchasing the Boat School in Eastport. A number of the press jumped on this story, but some of us wanted to know just how much credence this proposition had. Here is a company that is based in Taiwan wanting to move part of its operation to Eastport, Maine. To any business person this does not make sense. Then we heard that they wanted to make alterations to the entrance to Shackford Head State Park and close off access to the huge ramp and pier. Then there were other rumors circulating that Marlow had been talking with other yards along the Maine coast.


Publisher Editor-in-Chief


Jon B. Johansen Rachel Elward


Advertising Deadlines: The deadline for the March issue is 15 February. The deadline for the April issue is 11 March.


The City of Eastport seemed more than ready to sell the property. One problem has been, Husson University has not been helping with defraying the cost in running the facility that houses the school. It is rumored that they have tried to pay, but that the city has refused to accept it. It is also known that several proposals have been submitted to the city, but they were also refused. One must now wonder if the city was the proper place to manage the facility that houses the Boat School. There is a new regime running the city and it seems that they


want nothing to do with the facility or the Boat School. The city manager is even quoted as saying the school should go back to state or private ownership. The bottom line is that they see Marlow Yachts as the savior, when most of us believe that they will simply disappear amounting to nothing. Here’s a better question for you, who actually owns the Boat School? The land and buildings that house the Boat School are held by the City of Eastport, but they do not own the Boat School. So, how can they sell it?


Husson University has made some huge strides and has overcome some major hurdles. Running a trade school is a lot different than running classroom education. It is a very expensive operation and that is why the Community College system dumped most of their technical programs. Since Husson began operations they have increased enrollment from two students to almost 40 and this now allows them to compensate the city in running the facility. They have bettered the curriculum and follow ABYC standards. They also have ties with Westland Institute of Marine Technology.


All these rumors have created a problem for the Boat School, because potential students think the school may go away. This has affected admissions.


The Boat School does not deserve this treatment. Husson University and those running the school have made incredible strides in the last couple years. The city needs to wake up and understand this.


MCN's Calendar of Coastal Events


Exhibit – Cross Currents: Visual Arts Distilled from the Maritime World On View through February 6, 2011 Daily 9:30 am - 5 pm


Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath


Admission: Free for members and children under 4; $12-adult; $11-senior/ students; $9-children


The exhibit explores how diversely maritime life has been captured by four artists working in different mediums, displaying works by Carroll Thayer Berry (printmaking), Loretta Krupinski (painting), Claudio Cambon (photography) and Christy Georg (sculpture). FMI: Visit


www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org.


FEBRUARY 14


Red Algal Genomics and Ecology


Dr. Nic Blouin, University of RI 1500 hrs.


Alumni Lecture Room Leavitt Hall


Maine Maritime Academy Castine


17-21 Miami Boat Show Miami, FL


26- Mar 6 55th annual New England Boat Show


The New England Boat Show cruises into Boston as the area’s oldest and most respected boating marketplace in New England. The nine-day event offers an ideal escape from the winter chill to prepare for boating season. The show will host the region’s largest selection of the newest boats, gear and gadgets, with exhibitors offering the


season’s best sales. From sport fishers and luxury cruisers to sailboats and jet skis, the New England Boat Show offers something for every lifestyle, activity and budget, plus fun attractions for boaters of all ages.


Saturdays, 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m. Sunday, February 27, 11:00a.m.- 6:00p.m.


Monday, February 28-Friday, March 4, Noon-8:00p.m. Sunday, March 6, 11:00a.m.- 5:30p.m.


Boston Convention & Exhibition Center


415 Summer St. Boston, MA 02210 Info: 800.225.1577


MARCH 3-5 Maine Fishermen’s Forum Samoset Resort Rockport


11-13 Augusta Boat Show Augusta Civic Centre Augusta


18-20 Maine Boatbuilder’s Show Portland Yacht Service 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 774-1067 18-20 Maine Boat Show


Cumberland County Civic Centre Portland


20-22 Boston Seafood Show Boston Convention Center Boston, MA


21 The Role of Foundational Plant Species in the Community Genetics of North American Estuaries


Dr. Steven Travis, University of New England 1500 hrs.


Alumni Lecture Room Leavitt Hall


Maine Maritime Academy Castine


21-24 ASMFC Meeting Week Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, VA


APRIL 4 “Finding Whales in a Changing Ocean”


Dr. Andrew Pershing, Gulf of Maine Research Institute


1500 hrs.


Alumni Lecture Room Leavitt Hall


Maine Maritime Academy Castine


26-28 New England Council Meeting Hilton Hotel Mystic, CT


JUNE 18 Boothbay Lobster Boat Races Brown’s Wharf Boothbay, Harbor


Info: M. Farnham (207) 380-5295 N. Page (207) 380-5892


19 Rockland Lobster Boat Races O’Hara’s North Facility Rockland, Harbor


Info: S. Brooks (207) 354-8763


23 Friendship Lobster Boat Races Barge, middle of harbor Info: Wes Lash (207) 832-7807


24 Harpswell Lobster Boat Races Dock off Mitchell Field Harpswell


Info: H. Barnes (207) 725-2567


AUGUST 1-4 ASMFC Meeting Week Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, VA


13 Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Races Winter Harbor


Info: C. Byers (207) 963-7139


21-23 New England Council Meeting Holiday Inn by the Bay Portland


JULY 2 Moosebec Reach Lobster Boat Races


U. S. Coast Guard Station Beals Island/Jonesport


Info: E. Blackwood (207) 598-6681


9 Searsport Lobster Boat Races Searsport Town Dock Searsport


Info: Otis’ (207) 548-6362


10 Stonington Lobster Boat Races Town Dock Stonington


Info: N. Wiberg (207) 348-2375


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