ROCKLAND — The Maine Windjammer Association has reconsidered their July fleet-wide events due to the ongoing pandemic, according to a news release, and has canceled the 44th  Annual Great Schooner Race, scheduled for July 2 and the Parade of Sail scheduled for July 10.

These two events traditionally draw crowds of several hundred people on the Rockland Breakwater, a press release noted, far more than allowed under orders by Governor Janet Mills. 

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, according to the release. 

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, the release noted.

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 release read. 

“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.”