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Joe Gelarden Wed, 04/21/2021 - 7:00am
Like most launchings, it started with a groan as gravity, and a pull from a tug, began to pull the steel vessel from the shed where she was born. Slowly at first, then a bit quicker, she slid down the greased ways until her stern dunked into the Damariscotta River.
As the bulk of the 154 foot-long craft left the Washburn & Doughty Shipyard and took her first gentle roll, she became alive. Christened
Capt. Richard G. Spear, she became the latest to be crafted and launched from the shores of East Boothbay.
Your tax money paid $10.9 million to build the 465-ton ferry that will soon sail to Rockland, where she will carry up to 250 passengers and 23 vehicles to Vinalhaven.
Robert Mitchell photo
First off, let me say that Kevin Burnham s photograph of the Maine State Ferry launch at Washburn & Doughty s shipyard is better than mine. But we were in attendance for different reasons. Kevin had a job to do, and he was on the better side of things than I. As you can see, Kevin s photo was just right for good lighting on the boat. I was across the cove at Ocean Point Marina. From our angle the boat was back lit with an overcast sky – not a good combination unless you are photographing water lilies in the community pond.
KEVIN BURNHAM Fri, 04/09/2021 - 2:45pm
Capt. Richard G. Spear splashes into the Damariscotta River during its launch at Washburn & Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay on Friday, April 9. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register
Gov. Janet T. Mills said at the launching ceremony, “I wish the Capt. Richard G. Spear fair winds and following seas for many years to come.” KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register
Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce A. Van Note said “We are fortunate that we were able to award this contract to a Maine company . right here in East Boothbay.” KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register
Washburn and Doughty Associates, Inc. President Katie Doughty Maddox said “The fact that the state need look no further than East Boothbay for new vessel construction is a boon to the state and to the livelihood of many Maine families.” KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register
Marine News Top Boats of 2020
Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.
General MacArthur (Photo: Callan Marine)
This year, despite innumerable challenges and setbacks, a great number of new U.S.-flagged vessels made their way into service. In addition to Maid of the Mist s new electric tour boats James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla featured Wednesday, the newbuilds highlighted below are some of the most noteworthy to come out of U.S. shipyards in 2020.
Dredger
U.S. dredging contractors have been adding tonnage in a big way. This Spring, Callan Marine added a significant piece to the U.S. fleet with its new Jones Act cutterhead suction dredge (CSD)