Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS September 2015


Maine Coastal News Winterport, Maine 04496-0710 U.S.A.


P.O. Box 710 (207) 223-8846 Fax (207) 223-9004 E-mail - igmatats@aol.com Web site: www.mainescoast.com Publisher's Note


Maine Coastal News is published 12 times a year and is dedicated to covering the news along the entire coast of Maine, Kittery to Eastport. We cover general marine news, commercial fi shing, yachting (power and sail), boat yard and waterfront news and maritime history. Distribution of Maine Coastal News is from Eastport to Marblehead, MA and is free on the newsstand. It also can be obtained 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 offi ce is located at 966 North Main Street, Winterport, Maine. Comments or additional information write: Maine Coastal News, P.O. Box 710, Winterport,


Maine 04496. Publisher Editor-in-Chief


Jon B. Johansen Rachel Elward


Advertising Sara MacCorkle To contact Sara directly: (207) 350-7094


mainecoastalnewsads@gmail.com


Advertising Deadlines: The deadline for the October issue is September 11. The deadline for the November issue is October 9.


The rat-race of summer has come to screeching halt for me with the completion of the last three lobster boat races (Long Island, Pemaquid and Portland). I worried that it was all going to come unglued as we had three races on the same weekend with two races scheduled for Sunday at the same time, but it went off without an issue. A lot of the thanks has to go to Travis Otis, who took my place at Portland and did a great job. Fortunately we now know that if I ever keel over and pass on to another world there is someone who can pick up the pieces. Lobster boat racing has become some of the biggest events on the coast. Our largest event, Stonington, drew more than 110 boats, with the average for the ten races being about sixty competitors. It is not just competitors at these events, but there is also a large spectator fl eet sitting on the sides of the course that at times can easily double the number of boats at an event. Some of the on-lookers understand why, others just wonder why, but then there are those from away who simply cannot believe it. In a lot of ways it is like NASCAR in that you need a little understanding of what is going on. There are the boats and the drivers. And then we have those that push the rules, and some that ignore them. We have some that argue about working verses pure race boats. Bottom-line, it is all about the show and putting fans on the sidelines watching and controversy and hot, screaming gasoline engines do that.


Success also hinges on the people run- ning each venue and support from a number of sponsors. It takes a huge commitment to make these events happen. The better the


organization, the more help they have, the easier it gets. However, there seems to be a life-span of about 10 years and we all hope there is someone in the wings to continue making each of these venues happen. With the end of lobster boat racing, there is still more than enough to do. The ma- rine industry has a number of problems: and one of these is fi nding and developing em- ployees. Several issues ago I addressed the new generation and their lack of work ethic calling them Generation Zero. One boat yard owner asked me if we could change that to a negative number. It is a serious problem and one that is not going to get answered in a short period of time. The school systems for years have pushed everyone to college saying that this is the answer. Well it is not always the answer. There are a lot of very smart people, who could do anything with their life they want, but they want to work with their hands. Changing the mentality of the school system is not going to be easy and then getting students to understand what the marine industry has to offer is another hurdle. We have three boat building schools in the State (The Apprenticeshop in Rock- land; The Boat School in Eastport; and The Landing School in Arundel), which can do the training. We now need to get the high school student to see just what the marine industry has to offer and then get them trained. At present the situation is dire and we are losing work so this problem needs to be addressed now.


Another major problem is the decrease in those cruising, but that is a topic for an- other issue.


MCN's Calendar of Waterfront Events


On-Going Exhibits: – 1 November 2015


Making the Best of It: The Spirit & Work Ethic of Marine People Maine Maritime Museum Bath


Info: (207) 443-1316


– 28 September 2015 Staying the Course: Working Women of Portland’s Water- front


Maine Maritime Museum Bath


Info: (207) 443-1316


14 November 2015 – 15 May 2016 Wavelength: The Story of Signals at Sea


Maine Maritime Museum Bath


Info: (207) 443-1316 – 18 October


Out of the Fire: A Tool-smith’s Art


Maine Maritime Museum Bath


Info: (207) 443-1316


AUGUST 28-30 ONE Championship


30 Far Out Challenge Pursuit Race


SEPTEMBER 12 Around Islesboro Race Penobscot Bay


17-20 Newport International Boat Show Newport, RI Info: www.newportboatshow.com


29-1 NEFMC Meeting Radisson Plymouth, MA


OCTOBER


3 - SailMaine Regatta – Fall Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245


10 - SailMaine Regatta – Fall Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245


10 Maine Lobster Boat Racing Assoc. Awards Banquet & Dinner Jeff’s Catering Brewer


Info: (207) 223-8846


NOVEMBER 3-7 – 5th


World Maritime Technology Con- ference


RI Convention Center & Omni Hotel Providence Info: www.sname.org/2015 wmtc/ home


DECEMBER 1-3 - NEFMC Meeting


Holiday Inn by the Bay Portland


HELP WANTED Marine Mechanic


At Strouts Point Wharf Company South Freeport, Maine 04078


We are a 110 slip marina specializing in wood boat restoration, 25 ton Travelift and 15 ton crane.


Seeking full time mechanic with at least 5 years experience with inboard gas and diesel, I/Os, outboards, plumbing and electrical.


We will train you for Honda dealership and electronics. Pay commensurate with experience, full benefi ts and profi t sharing. 15 person crew in a well maintained facility.


Please send resume to cym@stroutspoint.com


28 - SailMaine Regatta - Frosty Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245


26 - SailMaine Regatta – Fall Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245


26 – Members’ Annual Meeting & Recog- nition Day


Mystic Seaport Mystic, CT


27 – By Land and By Sea – Antique Vehicle Show


Mystic Seaport Mystic, CT


7 - SailMaine Regatta - Frosty Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245


14 - SailMaine Regatta - Frosty Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245


21 - SailMaine Regatta - Frosty Series 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: (207) 772-7245 2016 JANUARY


26-28 - NEFMC Meeting Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth, NH


APRIL


19-21 - NEFMC Meeting Hilton Hotel Mystic, CT


JUNE


21-23 - NEFMC Meeting Holiday Inn by the Bay Portland, ME


SEPTEMBER


20-22 - NEFMC Meeting Double Tree by Hilton Danvers, MA


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