The Matanuska is designed to carry 450 passengers and has a vehicle capacity of approximately 83

Working Waterfront

Stranded: Alaskan islanders see sharp cuts to ferry service

By Ari Snider Even under normal circumstances, getting to and from Tenakee Springs, a small island town in Southeast Alaska, is no cakewalk. Alaska Seaplanes flies twice daily to Juneau, the capital city, but that’ll run you upwards of $300 roundtrip, and storms can ground planes for days or even… SEE MORE

A drone view of the 1-million-square-feet of mill space in Biddeford.

Working Waterfront

Biddeford: From 19th century mill town to ‘Brooklyn North’

By Tom Groening This is the first in a series of stories about coastal towns facing challenges. Most towns would boast about hosting a college, and Biddeford is no different in its pride in having the University of New England within its borders. After all, being a college town brings… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Focus and action during the pandemic

My recent conversations with local leaders reinforce the urgency with which I believe towns must act to secure the health, economic viability, and social fabric of their communities. One of the highest priorities is to ensure that children’s needs are met. In addition, there is a range of scenarios that… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Old bakery serves new Biddeford

By Sally Noble In a town brimming with youth, Reilly’s Bakery, a Biddeford Main Street institution for 100 years, thrives as an old-fashioned landmark. Confections are packaged with genuine kindness and boxes are delicately tied with string. If the Hallmark Channel came to Biddeford, this is where they’d set up… SEE MORE

Southport Island’s Capt. Bruce White explains maritime tradition.

Working Waterfront

The truth about marine salvage

By Stephanie Bouchard With two October storms causing havoc across the state, but especially along the coast, a number of boat owners found their boats in trouble—sunk at their docks, broken free of their moorings, even too damaged to float on their own. They needed assistance with their boats, but… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Fishermen’s group wants to raise mental health awareness

By Wanda Curtis The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association has won a $5,000 grant to promote mental health awareness in the commercial fishing industry. Monique Coombs, director of marine programs for the nonprofit, said the funds will be used to develop informational materials to assist commercial fishermen in managing stress, anxiety,… SEE MORE

A lobsterman and his young helper in the Fox Islands Thorofare.

Working Waterfront

Lobster science—last year was indeed strange

By Susie Arnold It was a strange year for the lobster fishery. In 2019, the scarcity of bait was a concern, and lobster landings were incredibly slow through the summer months. The July catch was the lowest recorded since at least 2008, the year the Department of Marine Resources began… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Which is more accurate—a mirror or a painting?

By Meghan Grabill When I moved here over a year ago, people asked me what connection I had to Maine. What brought me here? My response: I had visited once as a teenager on a family trip and when a job opportunity presented itself on the coast of Maine I… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Salmon listing didn’t cause sky to fall, but species still struggling

By Catherine Schmitt Twenty years have passed since Atlantic salmon became certified as an endangered species, according to federal law. Ed Baum was a salmon biologist with the state at the time—and is now retired—and he remembers the moment well. He remembers other moments, too, like the power of a… SEE MORE

Arrowsic's Sukey Heard greets the Island Institute's Nick Battista at the Jan. 30 event.

Working Waterfront

Four coastal communities land federal broadband funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $9.87 million investment in four infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-connectivity for 4,527 households and 215 businesses in rural Maine, part of the first round of USDA’s Reconnect Pilot Program. The announcement was made at the Arrowsic fire station on… SEE MORE