Maine Windjammer Captains Present Lifetime Appreciation Award
Mid-Coast, Maine— During the opening ceremony of the Camden Windjammer Festival on September 2, members of the Maine Windjammer Association presented Wayne Hamilton, President of Hamilton Marine, with the Association’s Lifetime Appreciation Award for his years of service helping the windjammer fleet with their marine supply needs.
From anchors to Z-Spar, Wayne Hamilton has been able provide just about every item a windjammer captain could ask for. Says Capt. Jen Martin of Schooner Mary Day, “We purchase gallons of paint and miles of line, and it’s amazing how many boats Hamilton Marine takes care of and they know us all by name.”
From a 2-car garage to the largest marine supply chain north of Boston, Hamilton Marine was started by Wayne in 1977. In addition to operating 5 stores in Maine, Hamilton has had a lifelong connection to the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, has served on numerous local boards, and helped start the Hamilton Learning Center which offers boatbuilding classes to area students.
As a sophomore in high school, Hamilton got his first boat, a 12-foot rowboat, which he used to haul lobster traps. Graduating to a 14-footer the following season, Hamilton has since owned many boats along the way. He can often be found on his 36-footer Ciloway III, transporting pilots to and from tankers out of Searsport Harbor, where he has also served as Harbormaster for 20 years.
Captain Douglas Lee of the Schooner Heritage presented the award on behalf of the Maine Windjammer Association. The MWA’s first Lifetime Appreciation Award was presented in 2015, to Gene McKeever of Allen Insurance and Financial of Camden. The 9 members embraced the idea of creating an MWA “Hall of Fame” as a way to express their gratitude to the special people who have gone the extra mile to help the Maine windjammer fleet.
For more information, contact the Maine Windjammer Association, 1-800-807-WIND, info@sailmainecoast.com or visit www.sailmainecoast.com.
Category: Press Releases
