Tag Archives: Boothbay Harbor
New commercial fishing pier to be built in Boothbay Harbor
The Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation has recently signed a contract with Fuller Marine to build a new pier and seawall at Carter’s Wharf, 87 Atlantic Avenue, the former site of the Sea Pier. The seawall will be constructed from granite and will be raised to meet current FEMA flood zone height requirements. The pier will have a poured-in -place concrete deck. The site plan has been engineered by Gartley and Dorsky Engineering & Surveying, the seawall has been engineered by Summit Geoengineering Services with Gartley and Dorsky and the pier has been engineered by GEI Consultants, Inc. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:50
Beal takes top spots at lobster boat race season opener at The Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races
Jeremy Beal of Jonesport won two top races at the Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races in Boothbay Harbor Saturday, June 15. Beal took first place in the Fastest Working Lobster Boat and Diesel Free For All races. He reached a top speed of 58.5 mph in his boat, F/V Maria’s Nightmare II, beating second place in the working boat race by almost 20 mph. Last year, Beal also won the free for all. photos, results, >>CLICK TO READ<<
Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races – Contributing photographer Michael Leonard once again captured the action of the Charles Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races on Saturday, June 15. Here is a sampling of his photographs taken from shore at the Maine Department of Marine Resources facilty at McKown Point using his 600mm prime lens along with a teleconverter. Lots of excellent photos. >>CLICK TO VIEW<< 12:23
Maine lobster boat races touch down in Bass Harbor on June 23
Get ready for the roar of high-powered diesel and high-octane gasoline engines as the annual Maine Lobster Boat Races kick off in Hancock County on June 23 in Bass Harbor. Racing begins this weekend in Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, June 15, and travels down the coast to Rockland on Sunday, June 16, before arriving in Bass Harbor the following weekend. The circuit lands in Moosabec Reach in Jonesport on June 29, Stonington on July 14, Friendship on July 21, Harpswell on July 28, Winter Harbor on Aug. 10, Bristol on Aug. 11 and wraps up in Portland on Aug. 18. Towns roll out the (lobster)-red carpet when the races come to town. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:33
Army Veteran/Retired Lobsterman Terry O. Brewer of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, has passed away
Terry O. Brewer, 88, passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a long courageous battle with dementia. He passed away the evening of Dec. 17, 2023 in his home in Boothbay Harbor that he purchased in 1958 and resided in until his passing. He was born in Boothbay Harbor on Jan. 29, 1935, the son of Norman Brewer Sr. and Mary Doyle Brewer Pinkham. Terry grew-up spending summers on Fisherman’s Island, where his mother and stepfather resided seasonally. He began his love for working on the water while being a stern man for his stepfather. Terry attended Boothbay schools and graduated in 1954. Following graduation he enlisted in the Army, serving overseas in South Korea. After serving in the military, he returned to Boothbay Harbor where he began his career as a lobsterman. Later, he worked at Bath Iron Works as a pipe fitter for a decade, while continuing lobstering. He retired from lobstering at the age of 77. more. >>click to read<< 12:10
A teenager in Boothbay Harbor had a dream. After 27 years, he achieved it.
Nearly three decades ago Jerry Farnham was working as a sternman on his father’s lobster boat in Boothbay Harbor. Eyeing the people on the deck of a gorgeous yacht not far away, he began to wonder: “What if they just want to be like normal people? You know, maybe they want to come and watch lobster boat races. Maybe they want to go lobstering.” The thought stuck with Farnham, who was only 16 years old, and with it came another notion. He wanted to take that idea and turn it into a novel, one set in Boothbay Harbor and filled with characters like the people he’d grown up with. It was easier said than done. One day in June of this year, he sat down at a table in Sherman’s and signed copies of his novel “Red at Night.” Video, >>click to read<< 09:22
Eaton, Taylor win Fastest Working Lobster boat at Boothbay Harbor races
Jeff Eaton of Deer Isle/Stonington won Fastest Working Lobster Boat at the Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races in Boothbay Harbor Saturday, June 17. Eaton pushed his boat, La Belle Vita, to 40.2 mph for the title. Andrew Taylor of Southport, who won the title in 2021 and 2022, won Fastest Working Lobster Boat in Boothbay Harbor with a speed of 49 mph in Blue Eyed Girl. Taylor did not compete in the overall Fastest Working Lobster Boat but won second place in the Diesel Free for All. Jeremy Beal won first in the free for all in Maria’s Nightmaregoing 57.5 mph. Below are the results as provided by Johansen. >click to read and comment< 10:21
Boothbay Harbor lobster boat parade signals solidarity of Maine lobstermen
On a chilly but sunny March afternoon, on the deck of Brady’s Restaurant about a dozen Mainers, some holding beers, watched a parade of lobster boats travel through the opening of the Boothbay Harbor Footbridge and into the inner harbor, right up to Brady’s deck, horns blaring and people cheering. The lobster boats steamed toward Brady’s and in less than a span of 10 minutes, circled around and headed back through the Footbridge. The photos captured on that day show a scene that will never be reprised again. As of mid-March, Maine lobstermen are fighting back by suing the Monterey Bay Aquarium over the “red list” designation. Lots of photos, >click to read< 09:30
Boothbay Harbor lobster boat sinks, raised with lots of help
In the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, Andy Page’s boat, F/V Sea Star sank at the Boothbay Harbor town dock. Efforts to raise the boat were not able to happen until Friday morning. Bruce White of Sea Tow along with many fellow fishermen worked through the morning placing airbags and eventually pumps to re-float the vessel. The first attempt was unsuccessful as an airbag failed. Photos, >click to read< 07:37
Save our way of life
In case you haven’t been paying attention, hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent at the federal and state level on offshore wind development. The Biden and Mills administration is 100% committed to reimagining our historical marine economy into a new “green” economy made up of aquaculture and offshore wind power generation. If you don’t believe me, flip through the federal Inflation Reduction Act (what an excellent oxymoron) and Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Make no mistake, eliminating the lobstering industry through the Right Whale risk reduction regulations paves the way for offshore wind development >click to read< By Patty Minerich, Boothbay Harbor 17:33
Fundraiser for Maine Lobstermen’s Association raises over $50K
With donations still rolling in, organizers of the fundraiser for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association held at Brady’s restaurant in Boothbay Harbor on Sunday, Aug. 7 report that over $50,000 has been raised. Proceeds from the event will go to the defense fund and will help with costs of MLA’s lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for their plan to require a 98% cut in the risk to right whales by 2030. MLA, represented by Stoel Rives, is challenging the plan in court. In November 2021, MLA launched a three-year, $10 million fundraising campaign to be used to help protect Maine’s lobstering heritage. Lots of photos! >click to read< 06:59
Maine Lobstermen’s Association appreciates Brady’s fundraiser
Lobster is the iconic symbol of the state of Maine, but new federal regulations threaten the future of this fishery. To boost the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s (MLA) effort to preserve this way of life, the Boothbay Harbor community is teaming up to host a fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 7. The event, a community lobster dinner, raffle, and auction, will be held at Brady’s, 25 Union Street, from 3-6 p.m. and proceeds will be donated to the MLA’s “Save Maine Lobstermen” campaign. >click to read< 09:45
Shark Stories Stir the Memories for Retired Lobsterman Brian Sawyer
The story of a shark attacking a seal off Pemaquid Point earlier in July caused little alarm but prompted a great deal of interest among local readers. New Harbor native Brian Sawyer took a particular interest, having played a role in a shark story that made the front page of The Lincoln County News in 1961.The front page of the July 27, 1961 edition featured a photo of the shark, hanging upside down at what is now Shaw’s Wharf in New Harbor. According to the article, “Man-eater caught off New (Harbor),” Gerald “Jerry” and Douglas Brackett harpooned the shark and hauled it aboard their 
28-foot lobster boat following a five-hour struggle. Bernard E. Skeed, then director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biological Laboratory at Boothbay Harbor, confirmed it was a great white shark, “not common in Maine waters.” “Doug Brackett harvested it.” Sawyer said, who was 14 years old at the time. Photos, >click to read< 12:48
Taylor’s Blue Eyed Girl wins fastest working lobster boat
Andrew Taylor of Southport, owner of Blue Eyed Girl, defended his title as the Fastest Working Lobster Boat, at the Charles Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races in Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, June 18. Forty boats competed in the first race of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing season. Taylor’s boat defeated three other competitors in the Fastest Working Lobster Boat race. His time was just over 47 mph. Taking second was Gold Digger, Heather Thompson, at 44 mph. Below are the results as provided by Jon Johansen, president of Maine Lobster Boat Racing. >click to read<, and review 64 excellent photos from Raceday! 08:12
Video: Lobster Boat Races, Rockland style. Photos: 2021 Charles Begin Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races
Videographer Terry Boivin was aboard a lobster boat owned by Willie Coombs, of Prospect Harbor, for the June 20 lobster boat races around Rockland Harbor. It’s a great ride along, and when Willie winds her up, and that turbo kicks in, you can feel the power! Thanks to Terry Boivin, and Willie Coombs for a great way to start today! >click to watch<
2021 Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races – The 2021 Charles Begin Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races were held Saturday, June 19 after skies cleared. Here, professional photographer Michael Leonard captures the action from West Boothbay Harbor. Race results will appear in a separate article. >click to view the photos< 08:01
2021 Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races results >Click to read the results!<
That’s right, lobster boat racing fans! Rev up your engines, lobster boat racing season is here!
There’s going be a whole lot of wake on the water this Saturday, June 19 when lobster boats up and down the coast arrive, revved up and ready to race, in the 2021 Charles Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races. That’s right, lobster boat racing fans, Maine’s races are on and the kickoff is right here in Boothbay Harbor! Boat captains will sign up at Brown’s Wharf on Atlantic Avenue between 8 and 10 a.m.; the races start at 10. All signup fees will go to Maine Lobsterman’s Association. photos, video, >click to read< 2019’s Fastest Working Lobster Boat, Boothbay, was Andrew Taylor’s Blue-Eyed Girl. 09:07
Commercial fisherman Devyn Campbell running for one-year Boothbay Harbor selectman’s term
Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues? First, affordable housing is almost impossible to find in this town and year round rentals can take years to find. Second, year round employment – I’d like to find a way for people not to have to go elsewhere to find work in the winter after their summer job here is over. Third, working waterfront access and commercial maritime viability – Boothbay Harbor supports the commercial fishing fleets of Boothbay, Southport and Trevett. Protecting the interests of our fishermen and their families will be forefront during my service on the board. >click to read< 08:37
2020 Boothbay Harbor lobster boat races canceled
Event organizer Ashlee Lowery announced Sunday, May 3 that the 35th annual Charles Begin Memorial Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races, scheduled for June 20, will be canceled this year, in conjunction with many other local events, due to the recent pandemic. >click to read< 11:19
Get revved up! It’s lobster boat racing season!
There’s gonna be a lot of wake goin’ on this weekend with the start of the 34th lobster boat racing season Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m. with the Charles Begin Memorial Races right here in Boothbay Harbor. Sign up begins at 9 a.m. Racing fee: $25. Categories include gas classes based on length and cubic inches, diesel classes based on horsepower and length, a wooden boat race, gas and diesel free-for-alls, and four races just for Boothbay region boats. >click to read<11:32
Mark your calendar for the 2019 Maine Lobster Boat Races! – 2019 Maine Lobster Boat Races Schedule – >click to read<
Working waterfront to be preserved in Boothbay Harbor
On Aug. 12, Deanne Tibbetts, a resident of Boothbay Harbor, invited a small group of area residents to meet and discuss concerns about the potential loss of working waterfront and, along with that, an important part of their local identity and their maritime heritage. Tibbetts is a descendant of many generations of fishermen from Southport. The purpose of this meeting was not to debate progress, change, economic development, or any specific plans for the east side of Boothbay Harbor but rather to insure that working waterfront and those people that depend on it and care about it have a seat at the table. >click to read<09:04
Boothbay Harbor kicked off lobster boat racing season Saturday, and in Rockland on Sunday
Maine’s summer lobster boat racing season opened last weekend with turnouts of nearly 50 boats both at Boothbay Harbor on Saturday and at Rockland on Sunday. Both races drew several new boats, including several from Downeast, and both events saw some impressive speed runs, though no records were broken. This year, race organizers established two classes for boats built primarily, or exclusively, to race rather than fish. >click to read<11:46
Lobster boat racing season revs up this Saturday
That’s right, lobster boat racing fans and racers. The 33rd season begins right here in Boothbay Harbor at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16 with the Charles Begin Memorial races. Categories include gas classes based on length and cubic inches, diesel classes based on horsepower and length, a wooden boat race, gas and diesel free-for-alls, and four races just for Boothbay region boats. The race course runs in front of Tumbler Island toward the finish line at the Maine State Aquarium. >click to read<13:11
Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races draw 34 boats – Photo’s and Results!
On Saturday, June 17, in Boothbay Harbor, spectators on boats, wharves and docks, and a prime spot on the lawn in front of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) on McKown Point, watched as some of the fastest lobster boats in Maine vied for first place in their respective categories. The event was the 32nd annual Lobster Boat Race, renamed the Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Race in 2006, in memory of the well-loved and respected Boothbay Harbor lobsterman. Thirty-four lobster boats entered the competition this year. Categories included gas classes based on length and cubic inches, diesel classes based on horsepower and length, a wooden boat race, gas and diesel free-for-alls, and a grand finale: the “Fastest Lobster Boat of the Day.” Results of the 29 races, supplied by race announcer and former organizer Clive Farrin, are as follows: click here for photo’s and race results 13:10
Lobstermen here are gearing up for the seventh annual Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Races, which are set for Sunday, June 25. click here to read the story
Get ready for some awesome wake — it’s lobster boat racing season!
Spectators and lobstermen alike are getting revved up for Boothbay Harbor’s Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races set for Saturday, June 18, at 10 a.m. You’re picking up “good vibrations” already, aren’t you? This year marks the 31st year of lobster boat races in Boothbay Harbor. The race course runs in front of Tumbler Island toward the finish line at the Maine State Aquarium. Event organizer Ashlee Lowery says she expects 60, yep, 6-0, boats this year — some from way up north and over the Maine border. “I’ve been talking with a couple of boats from Canada and they are looking forward to coming to Boothbay Harbor to show off — and create havoc just for fun,” Lowery said. “I hear these boats are really fast — 70 mph — but they are two-seaters with open hulls and big engines. Our (Maine) rules say the boats must be working lobster boats.” Read the story here 12:22
Westward is Portland-bound – In Boothbay Harbor, it’s two strikes and you’re out
The F/V Westward, which has been moored in Boothbay Harbor since 2012, appears to be headed to Portland after its latest mishap has left it without a mooring. Early Friday, Jan. 9, the Westward broke loose in high winds from the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard mooring where it has been secured for most of the last two years. It then drifted shoreward and ran aground near the shipyard. Read the rest here 16:38
