Visitors enjoy sitting on the town dock in Castine’s harbor area. The dock was destroyed by the January storms, but the new decking material will allows waters from storm surge to rise through while encountering less resistance. PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Building a better waterfront

But even as the storm raged, Harbormaster Scott Vogell was planning the rebuild. Rather than return the decking—which was the typical wood, an estimated 3-3/4-inches thick by 8-inches wide—Vogell inquired about new materials. SEE MORE

Sir William Cornelius Van Horne’s “.007,” ca. 1897, oil on canvas.

Working Waterfront

A painter on Ministers Island

David Sullivan’s Minister’s Island: Sir William Van Horne’s Summer Home in St. Andrews (2007) tells the remarkable story of this 500-acre island just off that New Brunswick resort community. SEE MORE

Jimmy Steele poses with the beginnings of one of his legendary peapods in a photo by Everett “Red” Boutilier. PHOTO: PENOBSCOT MARINE MUSEUM

Working Waterfront

Intriguing photo reveals a boat’s essence

I have always been drawn to unusual photographs. I love how the camera can take a slice out of the real world, which, once removed from its context, becomes a riddle for the viewer to figure out. I had this reaction when I first saw the accompanying photograph of Jimmy… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Community at the heart of resilience plan

Our community resilience plan was created this way, with residents offering what they had to give, their knowledge of history and place, their ideas and visions, and what they valued. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Strategies for a climate-ready coast

For Maine’s rocky shores, offshore seaweed habitats and oyster reefs can effectively reduce wave energy. Restored kelp forests in Norway have cut wave height by up to 50% and wave energy by 70-80%, enhancing shoreline stability. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Oh for a life on the rolling sea…

First things first: I have to express my gratitude to all of you who reached out after my last column. I did, very fortunately, find out that my biopsy was benign. I also learned a lot about how commonly experienced, and how terrifying, this process is for so many people.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Sea cucumber gunk: deadly weapon, potential biopolymer

In case there was any doubt, our August heat wave makes it clear that summer is in full swing. Summer means the beach, with all the weird sea creatures it has to offer. Among these weirdos is the tropical sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota, which is mainly found in the Indian… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

In the flow—cytometry tracks tiny organism

The research tools the scientists use to probe the changing ocean—flow cytometry and imaging flow cytometry, and the insights they enable—were the topic of the second presentation in Bigelow’s annual summer series... SEE MORE

The fog lingers over Lunt Harbor. PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Sunbeam cuts through foggy day

On Frenchboro, more than 100 people sat on the church lawn to eat lobster, which had been donated by island fishermen, and bid on various donated goods and services. The event is a fundraiser for the church. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maritime film festival returns to Bucksport

The International Maritime Film Festival returns to Bucksport's Alamo Theatre in September. The festival is supported by the town of Bucksport and community organizations in the Bucksport area, and includes partner WERU-FM community radio. The festival was launched prior to COVID and is now in its eight year. The World… SEE MORE