The Schooner Harvey Gamage returns to the waters of her birth.

Freshly arrived from the balmy Cuban climate, and with many educational programs in the works for the future, we are so excited to be charting a course for Boothbay Harbor to participate in the Windjammer Days festival! In the best physical condition since her first swim in South Bristol in 1974, we hope you take the time to swing by Pier 1 at Boothbay Harbor Marina on the Wednesday, June 29 and Thursday, June 30. We will be offering tours Thursday morning to show you around above and below decks.

As the last schooner built by master shipwright Harvey Gamage of South Bristol in 1974, the ship represents an important piece of our local cultural history. Having logged hundreds of thousands of miles under her keel in the Atlantic and Caribbean seas, the lessons of seamanship have been learned on her decks by students of all ages. Education continues to be a focus for new operators.

After the closing of the Ocean Classroom Foundation, the nonprofit who operated the vessel until 2014, the Harvey Gamage underwent an extensive refit at Portland Yacht Services. Many planks, frames, and much hardware were repaired or replaced. Much of the rig has been freshened as well. Immediately after the refit, we set a course for 180 and the shores of Cuba to explore the opportunities for future winter educational programs.

Summer-time Maine based educational programming are being developed as well, focusing on the pertinent subjects of Island Ecology and the exploration/study of Maine Aquaculture. Programs will be directed towards enriching our local students’ understanding of marine policy, marine biology, and the human ecology of sailing.

For the Harvey Gamage to act as a platform to support local relationships with our ocean resources and to promote both leadership and stewardship in our community is our vision. See you at sea!