The fate of the U.S. economy has grabbed headlines and held Washington in gridlock for weeks this summer. Even on a warm, sunny afternoon at Journey’s End Marina in Rockland, the effects of the nation’s uncertain financial future is evident.
Among the lobster boats, sailboats and yachts, lay mounds of Dole banana boxes, packages of fresh baked goods, cases of Twisted Tea, backpacks and bicycles propped neatly beside their owners.
The passengers and cargo are bound for Matinicus Island, waiting to board the Robin R, a Mitchell Cove lobster- style boat, captained by George Tarkelson.
In recent years, the tough economy has had an impact on Tarkelson’s business. Tarkelson currently takes only three trips weekly rather than daily trips to Matinicus Island, and carries fewer passengers than in previous years.
Carole Baldwin, waiting to board the Robin R. Baldwin, has been making trips to Matinicus for many years. However, she says that the economy has made an impact on the frequency of her summer vacations. But, she says, it “doesn’t stop” her from going.
Gary Schwartzberg, a resident of Oakland, has been a slip holder at Journey’s End for 15 years. The economy means he takes “less trips” out to sea. And, he says, he relies on his neighbors at the marina if mechanical problems arise.
One of those neighbors is Reggie Bragdon and his family. Bragdon and his wife, Lee-Ann, live in Windsor, and have been slip holders at the marina for the past six years. Although the Bragdons say they enjoy dining out at area restaurants, rising prices have taken their toll. Lee-Ann Bragdon says she now finds herself “cooking creatively on her boat, with my limited utensils, and my space to keep the produce in my refrigerator.”
Their son, Bryce, who is 10 and has been a marina resident since he was four, says that he doesn’t go on fishing trips as much “because of the gas price.”
Hanging around on the dock has its good sides and its bad sides, he explains. Although he wears his life jacket all the time when he’s around the water, “I still got stopped by Marine Patrol—in the parking lot.”
“They gave me a ticket for an ice cream at McDonalds,” he says. As for the lesson of the encounter? “You still can get stopped by Marine Patrol even if you don’t have lots of gas to go fishing.”
Briar Bragdon, 16, a junior docent at the Maine State Aquarium in Boothbay, spends his summers in Rockland. Like his brother, he’s not out fishing as often, but finds other ways to occupy his time. He often lies on the docks looking underneath for sea stars at low tide.
Fewer fishing trips mean more money for upcoming school activities, says Briar, who judges it a “fair trade-off.” And, he adds, “I also get to have the biggest aquarium around! It’s right beneath us.”
The Bragdon family’s fishing trips have been cut in half this year. When Reggie Bragdon does leave the dock, “I take the boys out in the bay and turn off the motors while we drift fish.”
Amy Barstow of Monhegan Boat Line in Port Clyde reports a marked decrease in passengers, “even though we have had really nice weather.” She’s hopeful for a stronger economy for next season.
Mike Davee, the general manager at Journey’s End, says he’s weathering the sluggish economy. “We’ve had a very good year and a good summer too.”
Davee, who lives in Rockland, says he’s seen an increase in visitors to the community, which helps his bottom line.
“The Boat Show, The Lobster Festival, more people are coming into Rockland, as opposed to 20 years ago.”
Davee has seen one major change in his business: People aren’t buying new boats in the $200,000 to $400,000 range. Instead, he says, they are purchasing used boats and “fixing them up.” That includes both commercial and recreational boats that use Journey’s End Marina.
Even at a marina where services are a little more informal, business is down. Charlie Weidman owns Beggars Wharf in Rockland with his brother Bill.
Charlie Weidman claims that his business is unlike any other in the mid-coast area. His customer base pays at the end of the season by saying “Hey Charlie, I stayed this many nights, parked this many times and took this many showers.”
Even though the honor system may be more attractive to many in these tough economic times, Charlie Weidman reports business is down about 20 percent this summer. Still, he adds, for many people Beggars Wharf is a “home away from home.”
Bianca Badershall is a summer resident of Journey’s End Marina and a participant in The Working Waterfront’s Summer Journalism Program.