The merchant marine is a relatively obscure industry. At Maine Maritime Academy, we talk to people about what we do, and the sea stories are all so exotic and unique to many folks. The only time people notice us in public is when we wear our uniforms. Films like “Captain Phillips” show the merchant marine
Lobster landings, boat price both up slightly in 2013
AUGUSTA — Lobster, the state’s most lucrative fishing sector, saw a continuation in 2013 of some of the troubling trends that have plagued the industry in recent years. According to the state Department of Marine Resources (DMR), 125.9 million pounds of lobster were landed last year, making it the second highest total since DMR and
The mariner’s ‘bar exam’ precedes work at sea
There are two ways to become an officer in the merchant marine: he first is to “hawsepipe,” or work your way from the bottom as an ordinary seaman all the way up through the sailor ranks and, after accumulating a lot of sea time, sit for a deck officer’s license exam; the second is to
Living in my own private Isle au Haut
Remember when you were a kid and you were so excited to show your parents the new fort you made? Or the invisible cake you baked them? And, if they were awesome parents like mine, they made a huge deal about it? That was the best! They completely understood why that fort made out of
Just because I live on an island, don’t assume I won’t be on time
Since I graduated college in December, I’ve been looking for work in the Portland area while living on the island. A lot of interviewers, on seeing the header in my resume where my island address is listed, seemed to suspect that I would not be able to commit to the schedule they’re hiring for because
Free webinar on how to preserve working waterfronts
Join members of the National Working Waterfront Network for a webinar about The Sustainable Working Waterfronts Toolkit, a web-based resource that contains a wealth of information about the historical and current use of waterfront space; the economic value of working waterfronts; and legal, policy, and financing tools that can be used to preserve, enhance, and protect these valuable
Poking the climate beast–scientific doubt and certainty
When President Obama visited drought-stricken California a few weeks ago, he suggested, “A changing climate means that weather-related disasters like droughts, wildfires, storms, floods are potentially going to be costlier and they’re going to be harsher.” Obama’s California visit provoked furious criticism from his political opponents like Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of Fresno who said,
Maggie visits Megan (and borrows her column)
Editor’s note: Maggie Small has “borrowed” Megan’s column for this week. February vacation typically inspires dreams of skiing or flying somewhere warm. I chose neither and instead followed through on a promise made during a Skype “date” in the heart of winter last year. As the Island Fellow on Peaks Island in Casco Bay, I
North Haven Hawks soar to tourney, but fall to Hyde
AUGUSTA — They made them sweat, that’s for sure. The North Haven Hawks boys basketball team, a sixth-seed in the Western Maine Class D tournament, came close to upending second-seeded Hyde Academy’s Phoenix team. Though Hyde came out on top, 49-39, the Hawks had cut the lead to five points twice in the final quarter.
Simmons family gives Rockland’s Strand to non-profit
ROCKLAND — The Simmons family has given the Strand Theatre to Friends of the Strand Theatre, a non-profit group formed in August to eventually own and operate the theater. The late Matthew Simmons and his wife, Ellen, purchased the 1923 Main Street theater in 2003 and renovated it, opening for musical and dramatic performances, lectures