While July events cancelled, Maine Windjammer Assoc fleet moves ahead with fit out
In consideration for the limitations on gatherings of no more than 50 people per Governor Janet Mill’s Safe Gradual Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy, the Maine Windjammer Association has reconsidered their July fleet-wide events, cancelling the 44TH Annual Great Schooner Race, scheduled for July 2, 2020 and Parade of Sail scheduled on July 10, July 2020. These two events traditionally draw crowds of several hundred people on the Rockland Breakwater. The Great Schooner Race will return next year on July 9, 2021. In addition, the Maine Windjammer Association looks forward to working with the Maine 200: Rockland Committee on a Maine Bicentennial (+1) celebration of the fleet on July 2, 2021, complete with an anticipated parade of windjammers into Rockland Harbor.
While the fleet’s events may be cancelled, fit-out season is still underway for the Maine Windjammer Association boats. The fleet is busy getting ready for the 2020 sailing season to open as soon as the Governor’s and Coast Guard orders allow. Getting these boats ready for the season is a monumental task in light of restrictions on retail, crew travel and more during the Coronavirus pandemic. Each captain is busy creating new protocols for safety and cleaning, and together the Maine Windjammer Association is working hard on a plan to insure a safe re-entry into the sailing season.
“The captains of the Maine Windjammer Association are working harder than ever to rise to this challenge,” said Barry King, Captain of the Schooner Mary Day. “We are creating operational guidelines for proposal to the powers that be allowing us to board guests and get underway with all due regard to the Governor’s 14 day quarantine requirement. The entire process is going to require patience and perseverance,” he finished.
The Maine Windjammer Association posts updates on their Facebook page, COVID-19 update page on their website, and on their blog. Additionally, each member boat updates schedules and provides information on their own social media channels and websites too. As soon as it’s deemed safe to sail, the Maine Windjammer Association fleet will be out on Penobscot Bay providing the ideal outdoor, nature-filled, sustainable vacation experience.
For more information, visit https://SailMaineCoast.com. Use the Cruise Search Tool on the home page of the Maine Windjammer Association website or visit each of the members of the fleet online to find schedule updates.
Schooner Victory Chimes
Categories: Maine Windjammers, Sailing Events
