SEAFARING SERIES happens every Thursdays at 7 p.m., October 9 – November 13, in the meeting room of the Rockport Opera House. The series is sponsored by the Friends of Rockport Public Library.

October 9:  Lolly and Jim Mitchell – Sailing Penobscot Bay

Jim and Lolly Mitchell have a passion for cruising. In their 48 foot schooner, Vintage, they traveled from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas,and in their motor-sailor, Kintore, they circumnavigated New England and the Canadian Maritimes. Most recently, they have taken their 24 foot sloop, Elf, from Florida to the Abaco Islands. Of all the places they have cruised, however, they love the region from Penobscot Bay to Frenchman Bay the best. They will share information about their favorite harbors, islands and coves and provide some insider information about them.

October 16:  Cap’n Ann Filley and First Mate Ben Blackmon  – Adventures for Landlubbers and Sailors - Books of the Sea.

Ann Filley the director of the Rockport Public Library will host an evening of books of/on/about the sea. From swashbuckling adventures to true life tales of life on the high seas and all the sub-genres in-between.

October 23:  Ron Hawkins:  Tugboat Work & Seamanship.

Ron Hawkins grew up in Camden crewing on the schooners Stephen Taber, Alice Wentworth and Mary Day from age 13 to 20. He got his first 100 ton passengers for hire license, then became a Captain on various schooners. He began working as a deck hand on tugs at age 22 and got his Tugboat Operators license at 28. He operated an 80 foot ex-oyster boat, Columbia, to carry island freight and do dredging and salvage. Currently he works as a tugboat captain for the Penobscot Bay Tug Company. Ron will explain what is involved with tugboat work and how he defines “seamanship”.

October 30:  Lexi Krause – commercial tuna fisherman

Lexi Krause began spending time on the sea at age 11 when his family summered on Monhegan Island. After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy he spent five years in the merchant marine, followed by three years as a navigator on a tuna seiner on the west coast. He alternated between lobster and tuna fishing, and on the side did ship-pilot work on occasion. He met his future wife in 1992 and they raised two sons. In 1999 they moved ashore to Rockport, and he began working as a part-time captain with the Maine State Ferry Service. Lexi continues to fish for tuna using a hand-held harpoon off the extended bow pulpit of his boat. Lexi has lots of information and stories to share about the life of a tuna fisherman, lobsterman and captain.

November 6:  Taylor Allen:  History of Rockport Marine, Inc.

Taylor Allen began building boats as a teenager at Rockport Marine, which was founded by his Dad in 1962. After attending Amherst College, Taylor returned to Rockport to work at the boat yard and eventually was named president of Rockport Marine Inc. in 1980. One of the premier wooden boat yards, RMI has built a variety of boats from traditional plank-on-frame to modern wood-composite vessels. Taylor will describe the history of RMI and what lies ahead for them in the future.

November 13:  Rob Eddy – Classic Yacht Models

Rob Eddy was raised in Camden, which he believes helped to foster his dual interests in art and boats and encouraged his lifelong passion for creating the finest quality yacht models. Since 1972 he has maintained a self-employed business creating exquisite models. Since 2005 he and his associate, Reuben Brown, have collaborated to produce 14 complex and extraordinary models. Rob and Reuben will discuss modern building techniques, as well as answer questions.