Working Waterfront

Swan’s Island’s ‘water girls’

Lesley and Leah Ranquist of Swan’s Island, sisters in their early 20s, were first introduced to fishing when they were mere kindergarteners. Now they are among the 4 percent of women currently holding commercial fishing licenses in Maine. Lesley and Leah’s story isn’t just noteworthy because they’re young women making… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine has front-row seat for climate change

We’ve all heard stories of Ye Olde Gulf of Maine. Once upon a time, fish swam up Maine’s rivers by the billions while herring gulls—these days known as “flying rats”—were nearly wiped out. In still earlier times, whales could be spotted from shore and pursued by oar. And just before… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Making sea salt while the sun shines

The process of harvesting sea salt isn’t all that complicated. At Maine Sea Salt in Marshfield, the biggest piece of equipment is the sun. Eighteen years ago, Steve and Sharon Cook learned about all the different ways to evaporate water. “And then we chose the most sound way to do… SEE MORE

The late afternoon sun illuminates boats in Front Street Shipyard's marina on Belfast Harbor.

Working Waterfront

Belfast’s Front Street Shipyard expands to city land

A years-long negotiation with the Belfast City Council has resolved, allowing the high-profile waterfront business Front Street Shipyard to expand onto city property. Front Street Shipyard, established in 2011 on the waterfront where the former Stinson Seafood once operated, now employs 90-plus. The company’s niche has been servicing large yachts,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Mussels have a nose for good homes

For people looking to settle down, a location's odor can be a factor in whether they stay or go. Turns out the same is true for mussel larvae. Mussel larvae swim toward odors from adult mussels, and swim away from odors from predators, including green crabs and dog whelks, says Scott… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Rising seas will bring more frequent severe storms

By Susie Arnold, Ph. D. and Heather Deese, Ph. D. Sea level rise could bring startling and disturbing coastal changes to our coast, making our homes and communities uninhabitable. A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change projected that between 4.2 million and 13.1 million U.S. residents would… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Hinckley, Morris join forces

The Hinckley Company’s boatbuilding plant in Trenton was a hive of activity on a recent day, with 25 to 30 boats in different stages of production, from molding to sea trials. It’s a typical scene these days. “This is a new Talaria 43, a couple of months away from completion,”… SEE MORE

A depiction of the new version of The Cat

Working Waterfront

What ‘The Cat’ can do for Portland and Maine

Maine business and government officials are expecting The Cat—the new high-speed catamaran ferry service between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia—will deliver an economic boost when it begins service on June 15. “I expect it to attract a higher level of use than what we experienced with the Nova Star, and… SEE MORE

The former Verso paper mill in Bucksport is being dismantled and scrapped

Working Waterfront

Growing the ‘port’ in Bucksport could bring jobs

Not only did Bucksport lose the paper mill business and jobs that sustained its economy and tax base when Verso closed its operation there, but the mill itself—or at least most of the metal in the structures—will be scrapped and hauled away. Some might see that fate as cruel, adding… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Penobscot Watershed Conference underscores region’s impact

On the map of Maine, Penobscot Bay lies at the midpoint of the coast. It resembles a fulcrum on which the northern and southern halves pivot. On the map of the Penobscot watershed, which was used throughout the venue that hosted Penobscot Watershed Conference on April 9, the image looms… SEE MORE