CAMDEN — A new fishermen’s hoist in Camden Harbor is set for installation, but the project must beat a deadline of December 26, or risk cancellation.

Gene McKeever is the chairman of the Camden Harbor Committee, whose committee has been centrally responsible for the planning behind the fisherman’s hoist — in an advisory manner.

“Our role was to recommend that we have a fishermen’s hoist,” he said.

McKeever said that Camden used to have a hoist that fell into terrible disrepair. As a point of comparison between nearby harbors, Camden is lacking in the fisherman’s hoist department.

McKeever said the committee sat down with the fishermen who work out of Camden to discuss the option of installing a hoist. All were overwhelmingly in favor.

Schooners will also use the hoist to load heavy gear such as firewood.

Harbor Master Steve Pixley said the hoist is desperately needed. 

“Especially when they are loading their boats with barrels of fish that can be like 400 pounds,” he said. “Now they spill it into their own totes and drag it all on, the hoist would save a lot of time.”

McKeever said the hoist has been something the committee has considered for years. But it didn’t become a realistic path to pursue until plans for a rehabilitation of the public landing were submitted six months ago.

“That really spearheaded everything. We got a matching grant offered to us, part of it is widening the boardwalk and tied in is the fisherman’s hoist. When we submit the bill, the state will pay 50 percent [and] the town has to come up with the other 50 percent,” said McKeever.

But the grant has one essential stipulation: Completion by December 26.

If the boardwalk extension and hoist installation is not finished by this date then the grant may be revoked.

McKeever said he just heard that the town’s half of the bill will be ready within two weeks. 

As an advisory unit though, there is only so much the harbor committee can do. The transportation committee has been tasked with the actual rehab of the waterfront, including the tangible installation of the hoist.

Pixley said the fisherman’s hoist, which will be capable of lifting over 800 pounds, will certainly assist the ten permanent fisherman working out of Camden Harbor. It might even increase use of the harbor by allowing some fisherman who now use Rockport’s hoist the same options in Camden.

Pixley said it’s also valuable in the reformation of the Camden Harbor image.

“Folks like to see it. Tourists like to see fishermen in action, that might be worth it right there.”

Contact Ari Salas at news@penbaypilot.com.