BOOTHBAY WINDJAMMER DAYS

ARRIVING WITH MINIMUM SAIL THROUGH THE MIST





Excerpted from my book; OUR SUMMER IN BOOTHBAY HARBOR

Coming up soon, the third week of June, is Boothbay Harbor's windjammer days. When we attended, the highlight of the two-day event was on the afternoon of the
second day with the arrival of the windjammers. They came into the
harbor under sail, pennants and flags flying, dropping and setting their
anchors for an overnight stay. There were not as many ships the year we
attended owing to the poor weather.

For those ships that showed up they were heartily received and looked magnificent, ranging in size from eighty to over one hundred feet, with full crews and many guests. They glided in slowly and silently under light wind, shrouded in the mist, taking the prize harbor anchorages and offering a fitting display, especially when
lighted up for the evening concert and the closing ceremonies

WINDJAMMER DAYS: COAST GUARD OPEN HOUSE

THE 47 FOOT SHIP, THE MAINSTAY OF THE STATION AT BOOTHBAY HARBOR


While at McKown Point for the lobster talk, we also took in a tour of the Coast Guard Station. They held an open house that day because of the festival. Manned by a contingent of twenty-four active duty Coast Guard personnel, it is commanded by a senior chief boatswain’s mate (E-7).

It is a tribute to the professionalism and training of the Coast Guard that it gives such a large measure responsibility at that non-commissioned rank. The Station and crew are responsible for approximately 1,000 square miles of the Maine Coast. In that wide area they provide 24/7 search-and-rescue capability, United States maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, maintenance of maritime aids to navigation, inspection of commercial fishing licenses, and support of homeland security missions. It’s a tall order.

The active duty Coast Guard was superbly augmented by reserve personnel and the CG Auxiliary, who were very impressive with their knowledge, training and contribution to the overall CG mission. I got the impression that today the CG would find it very difficult to accomplish their expanded mission without the CG Auxiliary.

Elysee and I toured their largest ship, a forty-seven-foot all-purpose craft that not only can take high seas,in this case up to fifty feet, but should it capsize it is self-righting. Or at least that is what the manufacturer says. That’s one maneuver,thankfully, the crews do not have to train for. One can’t help coming away impressed by the dedication and hard work performed by this essential sea service.