The fight to keep the Eastport Boat School alive and in Eastport received a shot in the arm when in late April the state Senate and House approved L.D. 1948, “An Act to Save the Marine Technology Center and Strengthen Maine’s Boatbuilding Workforce.”
In enacting the measure, the Senate rejected an Appropriations Committee recommendation of “ought not to pass.”
During debate before the Senate vote Sen. Kevin Raye (R-Washington County), the bill’s sponsor, called the impact of past budget reductions for the school “death by a thousand cuts.”
A “summit” designed to garner wide support for the Boat School was held on May 13th in Eastport.
Saying that he was encouraged by the turnout, surviving faculty member Dean Pike commented, “I believe most people went away from the meeting knowing the potential of cooperative efforts with Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine. Also it was obvious that the existing students want it kept in Eastport. Some potential applicants are waiting to make sure the school stays in Eastport before they will continue the application process. It is the will of the legislature that this happen.”
Among those attending were legendary boatbuilder Ralph Stanley, Sune Noreen of the Jonesport Shipyard, Reps. Howard McFadden, Ian Emery and Ann Perry, along with Washington County Community College President Bill Cassidy.
Raye was unable to attend, but said in a statement that the House and Senate votes “put the Legislature on record with a very clear and strong expression of support for maintaining the Boat School at Eastport.”