ROCKLAND — The Board of Directors of the Sail, Power & Steam Museum recently added Tom Norton, of Islesboro, to their ranks.

“We are delighted to add Tom to our Board,” said Captain Jim Sharp, Museum co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, in a news release. “As a long time personal friend and supporter of the museum, combined with his background in engineering and all things maritime, we know he’ll be a great addition to our organization.”

Commenting on his decision to join the board, Norton stressed, “The Museum affords us a unique opportunity to share historic nautical treasures while sharing the stories of our lifelong maritime experiences with those who come to discover the hidden secrets that the Coast of Maine holds. I’m very impressed with additional programming designed to get people out on the water to experience the joys of sailing firsthand. Programs such as SKFF (Sail Kids For Free) have the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of area youth.”

Currently a resident of Islesboro, Norton grew up in the maritime influences of Hampton Roads, Virginia, where small boats gave way to tugs, and tugs gave way to commercial ships prompting him to go to Maine Maritime Academy by an influencing MMA graduate. Following graduation, Norton pursued a Marine Engineering career which saw him circumnavigate the globe in ships as an engineer, repair ships in shipyards worldwide as a superintendent engineer and construct new ships as a project manager during his 50 plus year career.

Small boats were and remain his more affordable passion having teethed on wooden vessels in the early Maine windjammer fleet and in later years earning his European inland waters captain’s license while navigating his own 100 year old Dutch Barge on the continent. Currently he and his wife vacation abroad their traditional English narrow boat moving lazily about the narrow canals and inland rivers of the UK in summer months. When not aboard anything that floats, he relaxes with his wife locations in Maine and Florida where they split their snowbird months evenly.

The Sail, Power, and Steam Museum strives to enrich lives through hands-on, interactive and educational exhibits and experiences that celebrate our maritime and industrial heritage. The museum is also home to the Midcoast Sailing Center which hosts sailing programs such as SKFF, a free youth sailing program. FMI www.SailPowerSteamMuseum.org.