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

Harbor Watch Inn owner Colleen Hyland (right) looks on as Janice Kenyon of Southwest Harbor uses the inn’s new charging station with her all-electric 2015 Nissan Leaf.

Working Waterfront

Electric vehicle charging station installed on Swan’s Island

The Harbor Watch Inn on Swan’s Island has partnered with Tesla Motors and installed a charging station for electric cars. Tesla offers such hardware to encourage those in the hospitality industry to adopt this emerging technology. Colleen Hyland, the inn’s owner, wanted to offer charging service for guests who own electric… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Where on the Coast?

Can you name this week's "mystery harbor?" Here's a hint: it's located in the southern third of the Maine coast. We'll send a copy of the 2015 Island Journal to the first five who submit correct answers to WhereOnTheCoast@gmail.com SEE MORE

Community

Zain Padamsee collects ballots at a recent chili cook-off event on Frenchboro.

Working Waterfront

My time as a wise man

Editor's note: Reflections is a monthly column written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in remote coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. Zain Padamsee works on Frenchboro with an after-school program and with the town office.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Tech center students build computers for medical research

SLIDESHOW BY LESLIE BOWMAN Among the students who travel to Calais for a variety of half-day vocational programs at the St. Croix Regional Technical Center, some are linking up with Stanford University for medical research. The first task students face in Jon Bragdon’s computer electronics class at the technical center… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Domestic violence poses high risks on islands

It’s late on a frigid winter night, and a woman is sitting alone, an ice pack to her face, looking out the window. Snow swirls on the pavement below, and the harbor is full of white caps. He’s been asleep for an hour now. She thinks about leaving, about waking… SEE MORE

The Penobscot River as seen from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory in Prospect.

Working Waterfront

Penobscot Watershed Conference: Sharing our Heritage, Challenges, and Future

As Maine’s largest river system, the Penobscot River carries a deep cultural and economic history of our region. The future health of this vast watershed will be discussed at the first Penobscot Watershed Conference, April 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Point Lookout in Northport. The event begins Friday evening, April 8,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Where on the coast?

This week's mystery harbor is in the heart of the Midcoast. The perspective is a bit unusual, but it's still one of the most photographed and recognized harbors, so no hints this time. The first five who email us the correct identification at WhereOnTheCoast@gmail.com will receive a copy of the… SEE MORE