If you take the 5:45 p.m. ferry from Portland to Long Island, you’ve probably seen one of our favorite passengers, Watson the Bullmastiff, with his mom Maxine headed home from a long day at work. (Dogs can ride too with their own ticket!)

What’s so special about this two and a half-year-old gentle giant, you ask? Well, in addition to his dashing good looks and affinity for island life, he’s also a certified therapy dog.

Watson lives on the east end of Long Island with his mom and dad. After spending summers on the island growing up, Maxine moved to the island full time in 2013, and she and her husband bought their home there in 2016.

Around that time, they brought an 8-week-old Watson to the island, and his journey to becoming a therapy dog started not long after. When he was just 12 weeks old, he started in a puppy class where he was exposed to different situations like loud noises, different people, and other dogs. He was such a good boy that he was given a STAR puppy award!

After that class, Watson (and Maxine’s) education continued – they took an adolescent puppy class, basic obedience 1, 2, and 3, and the Canine Good Citizen test. Finally, they underwent three supervised visits and screenings by a representative from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs at Cedars Nursing Home and Watson officially became certified as a therapy dog.

Five days a week, Watson and Maxine board the 6:45 a.m. boat from Long Island to head to work. During the day, Watson tags along with his mom to Flowfold’s headquarters in Scarborough, hanging with some of his four-legged friends while Maxine works on production and design of Flowfold’s minimalist outdoor gear.

But Watson’s favorite time on the mainland is during those hours before or after work, when the pair can be found putting Watson’s skills to work, visiting his favorite residents at places like the Maine Veteran’s Home on Route 1 in Scarborough, Cedar’s Nursing Home, Spring Harbor Hospital, and several other local businesses. He’s also been known to show up from time to time at Long Island School!

At the end of a long and fulfilling work day Maxine and Watson climb aboard their boat home and spend the trip knitting, reading, talking with friends, and napping (at least in Watson’s case). Here at Casco Bay Lines, we know that our customers depend on us to get to and from the islands. And we know that many of our customers (both two and four-legged) have people on the mainland who depend on their arrival every day. We’re awfully proud to play even a small role in Watson’s work!

Impressed by their commitment to helping others, we asked Watson and Maxine if sometimes the days seem long. Her response? They both love kicking back and relaxing on the ride home across Casco Bay. And living on an island is like going on vacation every time you go home. Watson just wagged his tail and smiled.

From time to time on our blog we’ll be featuring stories from island residents. Casco Bay Lines remains committed to fostering strong relationships with our island communities. If you have an interesting story, feel free to reach out to us.

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1. We got our start way back in 1871 sailing steam boats around Casco Bay as the Peaks Island Steamboat Company. In those days we served Peaks Island, Long Island, Great Diamond Island, and Little Diamond Island. The original mission of the Peaks Island Steamboat Company was to keep up communication between the mainland and year-round island communities—a goal we continue to have today!
2. We haven’t always been located on the Maine State Pier. Up until 1988, we spent over 100 years operating from a terminal two wharves down on Custom House Wharf. In 2014, we revamped our terminal on the Maine State Pier, turning it into the beautiful building it is today.
3. Before we had all sorts of newfangled technology like depth finders, radar, and radios, captains used a compass, buoys, and “ran time” between points—measuring a trip by minutes and seconds. This process was especially difficult in Casco Bay because the tides “run hard” here, so trip times were constantly changing depending on the tide. In 1929 the 1,000 passenger mega-ferry Pilgrim, ran aground at Deer Point on Great Chebeague Island when the captain lost his time. We definitely think radar and depth finders are preferable to having to run time!
4. In the late 1920s, we began modernizing our fleet from steam to diesel. The Gurnet was the first boat to make the switch in 1929 followed by the Armita in 1928. Those steam boats were much quieter than a diesel engine, but significantly less efficient because they ran on coal.
5. Known as the “great white fleet,” all of the vessels in our fleet were painted white until, in 1959, Casco Bay Lines manager Peter McLaughlin decided to paint them. Each boat was painted red and yellow with a black hull, and back then passengers really hated the change, calling the move brash! We don’t know, we think we look pretty good in yellow, red and black!
6. We run 365 days per year! This has been one of our hallmarks since the beginning, and we don’t mind braving snow squalls or rain storms (or even the hottest August day) to serve the island communities and those visiting Casco Bay.

These are just a few interesting nuggets we uncovered during the recent process of creating “Cruising Casco Bay: A History of Casco Bay Lines from 1871-1982,” a historical documentary produced by Galen Koch. Everyone will be able to view the documentary on our website beginning on October 3^rd.  We think our history is pretty cool, and we can’t wait for you to see the film!

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While most of you probably know (if you paid attention in class) that the major battles of WWII were fought on foreign soil, you might not have all of the details about how Portland, the islands of Casco Bay, and even our ferries, played an important role in the war.

Just like the rest of the country, Portland struggled through the Great Depression, but in the early 1940s, preparations for war brought Portland out of those dark days. In the lead up to WWII, western Casco Bay became the fifth most active naval port in the United States.

And, in 1942, the Navy began making use of the ferries, taking possession of the original Aucocisco to transport soldiers between the islands. The fleet of ferries, at that time, was known as the “Great White Fleet” because they were all painted white. But, during the war, the white was covered up with a coat of gray paint.

On Long Island, the Navy took over a section of land and used it for a fueling depot, while over 50 military structures were being built on Peaks Island. A rusted steel box designed to look like a ship’s engine room still sits onshore on Little Chebeague Island—the remnants of the Navy Firefighting School.

Under the water, submarine nets—large nets used to protect a harbor from submarine infiltration—surrounded much of western Casco Bay, making travel to some of the island communities much more difficult. Islanders and captains took to calling the trip to Bailey Island the “all day cruise,” because it took much of the day to get there—traveling out around Great Chebeague Island because the gap between Chebeague Island and Long Island was closed off by submarine nets.

After all of the preparations, war-time operations were abandoned in Casco Bay. Historical accounts suggest that the invention of nuclear technology made defense systems like the ones set up in Portland Harbor obsolete.

If you’re interested in the history of Casco Bay, our Mailboat Run is a great way to learn more! We make two daily trips down the bay year-round, so even though temperatures are dropping, you can still cruise Casco Bay and get your history fix. For even more historical nuggets, there are several historical societies on the islands—the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum on Peaks Island, the Long Island Historical Society, the Cliff Island Historical Society, and the Chebeague Island Historical Society.

Casco Bay has a rich history, one that we are very proud to be a part of! Make sure to stay tuned for an announcement about an October 3 event at our terminal that will satisfy any history buff’s appetite.

The post Calling All History Nerds! Have You Heard The Story About the Great White Fleet in WWII? appeared first on Casco Bay Lines.

Those who live on Long Island are no exception. This little island, home to 200 people year-round, has become one of the most vibrant island communities in Casco Bay—complete with a school, a thriving community center, and beautiful beaches.

Over a cold local brew with our friend Jenna (who just so happened to have grown up on Long Island) we chatted about her favorite places, and what she loved most about growing up on the island’s shores.  Here’s the scoop:

What was it like growing up on Long Island?

I spent most of my childhood playing outside, building forts all over the island—woods, rocks, beaches, backyards, very rarely my own backyard, usually the neighbors. No one had cable, antenna only. The only reason I got a cell phone was to be able to call a cab after field hockey [on the mainland]. Summers were spent on the beach with my Grammie or my baby sitter, and usually with cousins.

What was (or still is) your favorite thing about the island?

My favorite thing about the island would be that feeling of returning on the ferry and knowing that, upon my arrival, I get to see my friends and family. No matter how much we grow up and lead different lives, it’s like we didn’t miss a beat when we get back together.

For someone who has never been to Long Island, what’s the first thing you’d recommend I do?

I always recommend people walk over to South Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Maine—great for a picnic lunch!

Do you have a favorite place on the island?

My favorite place on the island is called Wreck Cove. It makes the best sea glass because of all of the rocks. I could tell you how to get there, but you’d never find it.

What do you miss most since moving off-island?

I miss summers on the island the most. If my work schedule was conducive, I would commute in the summer. For now, I’ll continue to appreciate the weekends I do get to spend there.

How often do you get back?

I go back once a month, even if it’s just for the day or a couple of hours. Sometimes I go to see family and friends; sometimes I just need to be alone in the salt air. It’s hard to see the island change over the years, being a creature of habit. Understanding that change is a part of life can be even harder, but it makes the memories that much more special.

You mentioned taking the ferry. It seems like Casco Bay Lines must have played a pretty big role in your life.

Casco Bay Lines has always been in my life as it’s the main form of transportation [to the islands]. I’ve really gotten to know many of the deckhands and captains over the years, and I’m very thankful for what they do.

Well, there you have it folks. We’re going to pick a weekend soon for a picnic on South Beach and an expedition to find Wreck Cove. Check out our ferry schedule and plan your trip to Long Island!

The post Growing Up on Long Island—No, Not That Long Island… appeared first on Casco Bay Lines.

As the oldest running service of its kind, our Mailboat run not only delivers the mail and other goods to islanders, it offers landlubbers a glimpse at the realities of island life and the opportunity to adventure along Maine’s rugged coastline. And (hint hint) Father’s Day seems like the perfect opportunity to try this adventure on for size. Hat tip to our friends over at WJBQ: great minds think alike!

Here’s the deal. The Maquoit II typically makes the Mailboat Run every day (see most updated schedule here). Plan to arrive a little early and give yourself time to buy your ticket and watch our amazing crew work their magic, loading cargo, and readying the ninety three ton vessel for take-off.

Hopefully you’ve packed your sunscreen and your cooler – both will come in handy once you pick your spot on the deck. Of course, for those not as eager to face the elements, there is indoor seating. Once everyone’s settled, the boat’s captain will welcome you aboard as the crew drops the lines.

Portland’s true working waterfront will be on display, lobstermen hauling traps and cargo ships chugging in and out of the harbor, as you relax and leave your yardwork and the honey-do list behind.

The city fading into the background, now is the time to break into that cooler. With any luck, you’ll find some snacks and maybe a cold one for Dad from any one of Portland’s own breweries. Indulge as you watch the lobster buoys bob past and seals play in the wake.

This cruise stops at five islands to unload cargo: Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long, Cliff, and Chebeague.

And for the history buff Dads out there. We see you. The Captain will point out some of Portland’s coolest historical landmarks including Ft. Gorges – a fort that never saw battle, but seems to still stand guard over the harbor—and Luckse Sound – where ships were sunk during WWII to keep enemy submarines out of the harbor. Wicked. Cool.

When the Maquoit II makes its final turn around at Cliff Island, you might find it hard to imagine heading back to reality. Maybe Dad wants to hop on the Sunset Run cruise and keep going. We wouldn’t blame him. There’s nothing better than adventure with family. Happy cruising!

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