Spectacular launch starts career of new, Maine-built state ferry
The new Maine State Ferry Service boat, Captain Richard G. Spear, set sail in East Boothbay on Friday. Author: Don Carrigan Updated: 8:51 PM EDT April 9, 2021
BOOTHBAY, Maine There may have been a lot of nervous moments Friday for the president of the Washburn and Doughty Shipyard.
“A launch is nerve-wracking and tense on a good day, and then you add a little drama (and) its nerve-wracking,” said Katie Doughty Maddox.
She was breathing easier by then, after the new Maine State Ferry Service boat,
Captain Richard G. Spear finally slid down the ways and into the Damariscotta River.
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
Mainers 16 and up eligible for COVID-19 vaccine on April 7
April 1, 2021
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ROCKLAND, Maine (AP) Maine is opening up eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to all state residents age 16 or older in a few days.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that eligibility will expand on April 7. The state had been planning to open eligibility to everyone 16 years of age or older on April 19.
The state previously started offering the vaccine for everyone age 50 and older, as well as teachers and front line health care workers. The expansion to everyone 16 and older represents the broadest expansion of the vaccine yet in Maine.
People on Matinicus Island are calling for more visits from the Maine State Ferry Service Author: Don Carrigan Updated: 8:54 PM EST February 11, 2021
AUGUSTA, Maine When you live 23 miles out to sea, it may be easy to forget you’re connected to the rest of Maine.
But people on Matinicus Island, which has about 30 year-round residents have a regular reminder of that connection to the state: the ferry that makes the trip once a month in winter, more often in warmer weather.
And that link to the mainland is why the island is asking the Legislature for help.
There is a state law that says the Maine State Ferry Service can’t make more than 36 ferry trips per year to Matinicus. Town Clerk Eva Murray, who is also the chair of the Ferry Service advisory board, said Matinicus relies on the ferry to bring in everything from propane and heating oil to lumber for houses. She said last year they reached the maximum number of trips.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Maine has been awarded a total of $69.2 million in highway and transit funding through the COVID-19 relief package that was signed into law in late December, according to a news release.
“The funding provided by the most recent COVID-19 relief package is crucial for Maine’s transportation system from a capital programming perspective,” said Maine DOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note.
The latest COVID-19 relief package, per the release, provided a total of $10 billion for highways and $14 billion for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Of the highway funding, Maine was awarded $46 million to:
• Support highway and bridge capital projects that include 268 miles of high-priority roads and 43 bridge projects throughout the state.