CAMDEN — Prock Marine has been hired by the town of Camden to install a new fishermen’s hoist at the Town Landing and driving of pilings there. The work is expected to begin after Columbus Day Weekend in mid-October. The hoist has been a long time in planning, but with money budgeted — half of it from a state grant — the town has committed to seeing the project through.

On June 29, at a regularly scheduled meeting, the Select Board voted unanimously to go with the Rockland-based Prock Marine, the company that cast the lowest bid for the job. Three other companies also bid on the hoist job, but Prock’s bid, at $95,580, beat competing bids of Maine Coast Marine ($98,800), Chesterfield Associates ($120,000), and Maritime Construction and Engineering ($131,050).

Prock was the only bidder on the job to sink the pilings for the hoist foundation at a cost of $31,850.

A hoist has been on the list of harbor improvements in Camden for several years, beginning with the Harbor Committee, which recognized that Camden is the only working harbor in the immediate region without such a tool for its fishermen.

A hoist, with a swing arm, is used to load and unload traps from vessels, load heavy barrels of bait, and otherwise is handy for business.

The harbor, which is home to approximately 10 commercial fishermen, as well as working schooners, once had a hoist, but it fell into disrepair. 

In 2014, Camden identified a hoist as just one of the possible Public Landing improvements, which also included expanding the boardwalk and reconfiguring parking there.

Camden applied for, and received, a Maine Department of Transportation Small Harbor Improvement Program grant of $68,500, which required a matching contribution from the town. Camden approved that expenditure and has been budgeting for the project.

Town Manager Patricia Finnigan said Prock has installed similar hoist designs, as in the photo above, on Monhegan, Isle au Haut and Kennebunkport.

“Prock will work with us to make some changes in the project to bring it in under budget,” said Finnigan. “Possible reductions include reducing the number of fender and guide piles without changing the essential elements of the project. Prock Marine is willing to work with us to make changes that will reduce the budget and deliver a working waterfront project that the community can be proud of and that will support the fishermen.”   

Related stories:

Camden Select Board approves Phase I of Public Landing improvements (Feb. 18, 2015)

• Penobscot Bay towns score grants — some big — to keep waterfronts, harbors working (Jan. 30, 2014)

• Camden Harbor fishermen’s hoist must be installed before fast approaching deadline (Aug. 12, 2014)