A life at sea and in maritime safety will be the topic of a special presentation by Mario Vittone, a former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer and marine safety expert, Thursday, May 5, at 7 p.m. at the Strand Theater in Rockland.

The event, "You Love the Ocean – It Doesn't Love You Back: Thrilling stories and exciting tales designed to make your life on the water safe and survivable," is a fundraiser for scholarships at Maine Maritime Academy. Tickets are available at the Strand Theater box office or online at RocklandStrand.com.

Vittone is a leading expert on immersion hypothermia, drowning, sea survival, and safety at sea. His writing has appeared in Yachting Magazine, SaltWater Sportsman, MotorBoating Magazine, Lifelines, On-Scene, and Reader’s Digest. He has developed courses for municipal rescue teams and the military on search and rescue tactics and open ocean survival. In 2007, he was named as the Coast Guard Active Duty Enlisted Person of the Year and was named as the 2009 recipient of the Alex Haley Award for Journalism.

"Given our long connection with marine businesses and our agency's deep roots on Maine's working waterfront, this event is a natural fit for our 150th year in business," said Mike Pierce, president of Allen Insurance and Financial. "This event will be of interest to anyone with a professional or recreational interest in the sea, or a passion for the ocean."

Allen Insurance and Financial is pleased to be working with Ocean Navigator Magazine, Professional Mariner Magazine, Maine Boats Homes & Harbors magazine and the Strand Theatre in Rockland as partners in this event.

Founded in 1866, Allen Insurance and Financial is an independent insurance and financial planning agency with offices in Rockland, Camden, Belfast and Southwest Harbor. Online at AllenIF.com.