Page 6. MAINE COASTAL NEWS February 2017 '70 M - S S - E D MMTA Mid 50’s, Maine’s boating industry
was beginning to take on a new look, a new shape. World War II was over. Division of Korea had been accomplished. Depression now a sad, yet lingering memory for our parents. A new Era of American history was waiting to be written. Americans had mon- ey in their pockets and ready to spend. Fun items were becoming high priority. Plea- sure craft took the place of military orders and large fi shing boats. Several Boatyard owners were realizing the time had come as well to form an organization not only help- ing each other through this expanding time but to discuss and act as one voice on new regulations already forming in minds of elected politicians. Maine individuals such as Wally Baker, Merle Hallett, Earl Rum- ery, Norm Pierce, and Elmer Dion, were among these as Maine Boat Builder’s and Repairer’s Association (MBBRA) began to take shape. By the late 70’s, however, well into
Maine’s “Golden Age of Boatbuilding” MBBRA was losing membership. An annu- al meeting might turn out a good half-dozen members, nowhere near a representative of the industry. At a weekend meeting in Ells- worth, complete with entertainment, there
were but a dozen people including wives. Quite evident if MBBRA were to survive a change need be discussed. High on several boating industry own- ers list were Maine legislators beginning to realize a blossoming industry was waiting to be tapped for new taxation. First, how- ever, the roll of members had to be ad- dressed and anyone in the marine fi eld had to be welcomed. MBBRA was voted to be- come Maine Marine Industries Association (MMIA) and then the organization began to grow. Not only boatbuilders and repair yards became new members, but marinas, newspapers, magazines, boat-haulers be- gan to realize if we were to not be taxed or regulated out of business, we had to come together as one voice. Within a few years, membership had
increased signifi cantly. Meetings rather than “whenever” were held on a regular basis to the point we needed someone who could coordinate not only the association meetings and functions, but monitor the po- litical scene as well. Susan Swanton, then 41 with experience in and around the indus- try for some years agreed to take on the job as Executive Director. Susan recalls those earlier days in an
· Cummins, FTP & MAN Marine Engine Sales & Services · Complete line of marine hydraulics · Belts, hoses, fasteners & fi ttings of all sizes · Full Machine & Fabrication Shop
917 US Rt. 1, Steuben, ME 04680 207-546-7139
kennedymarine@myfairpoint.net We're here to ensure that the only thing keeping you off the ocean
...is the weather!
SEAL COVE BOATYARD, INC.
interview a few weeks ago. “I’d been work- ing in the boating industry since 1979, but really had no clue about boats or boatyards when I started. I’d majored in art in college which made matching up faded gel coat one of my specialities (a skill now handily replaced by a computer), but didn’t provide me with the broad knowledge base I would need to do my job. One of my neighbors worked at Rumery’s Boatyard and suggest- ed I apply for a job at the yard—said all I needed was a brain. I could learn what I needed on the job. Fortunately for me, he was right! And the guys at Rumery’s were excellent ‘teachers’.” Susan stayed at Rumery’s for eight years before going to Frost Marine in Scar- borough where she stayed managed the service department. From Frost Marine she then went on to The Harris Company in Westbrook “which was a hoot. I was in inside sales so I got to know everybody in the marine fi eld.” Susan’s next move was to Dayton
Marine, where she once again managed a service Dept. and gained a real “under- standing and respect” for the business of moving boats overland. Her fi nal stop was The Chartroom at Chase Leavitt where she
WANTED
MARITIME BOOKS, MAGAZINES, DOCUMENTS POSTCARDS
and PHOTOGRAPHS International
Maritime Library P.O. Box 710
Winterport, Maine 04496 (207) 223-8846
served as store manager, dealing with retail customers and members of the industry. I asked Susan for her perspective of
how the organization had changed over the past 20 years since she’d taken on the full time job of Executive Director. “Well,” She replied, “ The major prob-
lems are the same ones which always seem to plague industries. There’s regulation, taxation, and compliance issues—most of which make life challenging for the pri- marily small companies that comprise the industry. Just staying on top of these issues is virtually a full time job by itself. The As- sociation’s commitment to education and training remains strong and we spend a lot of time pulling together programming that helps businesses deal with regulatory com- pliance as well as upskilling their work- force.” I had to agree with Susan, the industry I entered because I also needed a job back in 1973 has undergone a tremendous change and without the help of Susan and the vol- unteering on past Boards of Directors there would have been more and most probably serious/detrimental changes to this vibrant, high employment, Maine industry. Susan went on to tell of the incred-
ible people we’d lost in the marine fi eld this past year: “Chris Evans who’d been at Sabre Yachts since the very early days. Jeff Armstrong of Jeff ’s Marine. Ben Cash- en, Dockmaster and Sandy McGaw at for- mer Wayfarer Marine, Joe McCarty from Robinhood Marine, Lorraine Hamilton, of Hamilton Marine, among others. “Yet,” Susan remarked with pride, “We had well over 100 people show up for MMTA’s An- nual Conference at the Owl’s Head Trans- portation Museum in Rockland this year to help us celebtrate our 50th
Anniversary.”
For this we all who are or have been in any way affi liated with Maine’s Marine Indus- tries must give a heartfelt “Thank You” to Susan for the great work she’s done these past twenty years. “It’s an industry that’s all about peo- ple”…Susan Swanton (2017)
If it has to do with the care of boats,
we do it here and we do it better than most.
Tel: (207) 326-4422Fax: (207) 326-4411 Email:
CHASE, LEAVITT & CO. The Chart Room
Flags · Books · Chart Kit · Paper Charts ·Navigation Tools Life Service Station
Abandon Ship · Floatation Gear ·Distress Signals · Overboard Rescue Inlatable Boats
Sales: Achilles, Caribe, & Highield Large Supply of Spare Parts Repair Professionals
144 Fore St., Portland (207) 772-6383 218 Bucksport Rd., Ellsworth (207) 667-9390
www.chaseleavitt.com
Looking to have metal work done at a reasonable cost? Welding a specialty!
Also marina slips with lots of parking and storage available. Call: (207) 991-1953
South Main Street, Brewer, Maine 04412
• Expert Repair • Fuel Polishing • Haulout/Storage
• Showers/Laundry
• Brokerage/Rental • DIY Space
KUSTOM STEEL
Superb Service Best Rates
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31
