Working Waterfront

Lobster promotion reaches chefs, White House, China

When lobster fisherman Steve Train traveled to New York City on a two-day marketing junket last summer, he found the experience was an effective way to introduce Maine’s “new shell” lobster to high-end chefs and national food media outlets. Train, traveling from his home on Long Island, off Portland, joined… SEE MORE

The shore at Roque Bluffs in Washington County.

Working Waterfront

Washington County’s population challenges point to immigration

Washington County is going to be a very different place in 20 years. Over half of our population is older than 45. Almost a fifth is 65 or older. Only a small percentage of the people who are now middle-aged or elderly will be working in 2036, and there just… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine Seacoast Mission stays modern, reaches eastern coast

Think of it as a floating community center. Hot coffee and a hearty breakfast are still served aboard Sunbeam V, the Maine Seacoast Mission's 75-foot long vessel which provides hospitality and fellowship to those living on Maine's Midcoast and Downeast islands. That part of the mission's story has been told… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Vinalhaven’s maritime work remembered in photo

If books about Vinalhaven’s history were acorns, then readers could squirrel away some volumes now to enjoy over winter hibernation. One of those acorns could be a recently published book of photographs, Vinalhaven Island’s Maritime Industries, part of the “Images of America” series from Arcadia Publishing. Cynthia Burns Martin, a… SEE MORE

One of the tubs Steve and Miranda Batiste craft at their Swan's Island business.

Working Waterfront

The lap of luxury is water in a wooden tub

In Steve and Miranda Batiste’s home in Vermont was an old claw-foot, cast iron bathtub. It was something to look at but when in use left much to be desired. The heat radiated right out of the cast iron. Tired of chilly baths, the couple decided to resurrect an idea… SEE MORE

A drone hovers near a simulation of a whale exhaling.

Working Waterfront

Drones well-suited for whale research, says Ocean Alliance

Take a funny Patrick Stewart video, a fundraiser for a new robotic application and the words “whale snot” and mix them together and you should have a perfect viral Kickstarter campaign. That’s what the Ocean Alliance thought when it released a small video of the famous actor being harassed by… SEE MORE

Maine Maritime Academy's training ship State of Maine docked in Castine.

Working Waterfront

Maine Maritime Academy’s training vessel leaves for two-week voyage

Maine Maritime Academy students, officers and crew will depart Castine on Saturday, Jan. 2 at about 10:30 a.m. on the training ship State of Maine for a two-week training voyage to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The ship will carry 210 students and crew and is due to arrive on… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Going the distance against Parkinson’s

Editor's note: This story first appeared in Breaking Through, the annual report of the MDI Biological Laboratory, and is used here by permission. Michael Westphal is a native of Great Cranberry Island. Michael Westphal is a born athlete. All through high school and college, he ran competitively—track and cross country—and… SEE MORE

Richard Aroneau at Planet Toys in Rockland.

Working Waterfront

Rockland retailer shares downtown lessons

Walk into Planet Toys on Main Street in Rockland and it's what you don't see and hear that makes an impression. The stock is aimed mostly at pre-teen kids, yet there is nothing blinking or buzzing. Most of the toys do not require batteries. There are familiar games like Clue… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Deflated, but not defeated

Editor's note: Reflections is a monthly column written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. Alana Flanagan is working with the Vinalhaven School and Partners in Island Education to create support systems for parents… SEE MORE