Camden’s inner and outer harbor were filled July 29 with boats of all shapes and sizes, parading through the water, celebrating classic vessels. The Maine Maritime Museum Parade of Sail was one of many events planned as part of the second-annual Camden Classics Cup. The fleet of participants, which includes all Camden Classics Cup race boats, committee boats and elegant support boats, paraded through Camden Harbor along the waterfront in full-dress ship.

Now in its second year, the Camden Classics Cup opened the classic yacht racing season in Maine and servds as the introduction to Camden Classics Week. The event format included two days of CRF, Spirit of Tradition and PHRF racing followed with post-race celebrations.

The Parade of Sail is a compliment to Maine Maritime Museum's 2017 programming, which includes the brand new immersive exhibit "Into the Lantern: A Lighthouse Experience," as well as the ongoing restoration of the 1906 schoonerMary E, the oldest Maine-built wooden fishing vessel still sailing.

On August 24, the museum will be recognizing the Maine boatbuilding community with the 2017 Mariners Award, an award presented annually to an individual or organization that has made extraordinary contributions to Maine's maritime heritage.

The CCC regatta was scheduled for the weekend prior to the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta and is presented by Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding in conjunction with the Camden Yacht Club and with sponsorships from businesses and organizations.

The July 29 parade was complimented by the ongoing presence of the megayacht anchored in Camden’s outer-outer harbor. The  Le Grand Bleu is one of the largest private yachts in the world.

According to Boat International: “Le Grand Bleu was built for U.S. telecommunications baron John McCaw [who has a place on Islesboro] and was subsequently sold to the Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, who had it refitted to his own preferences, including the addition of a 16-foot swim platform at the stern. According to Internet sources, Abramovich passed Le Grand Bleu to his friend and business associate Eugene Shvidler in June 2006. The yacht has a crew of 65 and carries a veritable arsenal of tenders and watertoys, both on her aft decks and in her extensive below-deck garage, where there is a large aquarium. Her watercraft include a 22 metre Dubois-designed sailing yacht, Bellatrix; a 21 metre Sunseeker motor yacht; two 11 metre, 60-knot Buzzi sports boats; and a landing craft to carry a 4x4 Land Rover used for excursions ashore.”

Photos by Ben Ellison and Peter Lindquist