Staying Together by Staying Apart!

What better place to self-isolate & “quaranteam” than along the Maine coast!

• Restaurants in all areas of Maine as of June 26 are allowed to serve inside and outside following state health guidance. Indoor bar service will NOT resume on July 1 due to outbreaks in other states.
• Residents from Vermont and New Hampshire do not need to quarantine when arriving in Maine. Residents of all other states must either self-quarantine for 2 weeks or have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in Maine.
• Canada, Mexico and the USA have extended their border closures to non-essential travel through at least July 21.

1. Individual calls: You an “discretely” call another boat and shift their VHF to a working channel that you choose without first calling them on CH-16.
2. Group calls: Similar to item #1, you can discretely call a group of boats. Each boat receiving the call must acknowledge the call and their radio will then shift to a working channel you have chosen in advance.
3. Position request: You can send a “position request” to a specific boat. The boat’s response will include their position. If your VHF radio has two way communication with your navigation system (i.e., it receives GPS position from the nav system and can send information back to the nav system), the position of boats that respond may display on your chartplotter (depends on the manufacturer and age of the nav system).
4. Polling request: You can send a “polling request” to a specific boat to find out if it is in VHF range of your boat (of course their VHF radio must be on to respond).
5. Test Call: All DSC equipped radios purchased after March 2011 have a test calling capability. Transmitting a test call will trigger an automated response from the USCG Rescue 21 network. This is a complete end to end test of your radio’s DSC capability.

• People who are not from Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont residents must complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of entering Maine, or that they will quarantine in Maine for 14 days, or that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine.
• The Harbormasters we contacted seemed welcoming and just requested that out of state sailors follow state and local COVID-19 protocols when going ashore. It is recommended that out of state sailors make an entry in their vessel’s log when the quarantine was started.

• Quahog Bay: Sunflower (Mark & Bev Lenci) reports that guest moorings are available for $35/night at Great Island Boatyard CCA member Steve Rowe is the GM. Full services.
• Casco Bay Restaurants:  Libra (Caroline and Barney Baker) have provided the following list of restaurants in Casco Bay:
  • Saltwater Grille, 231 Front Street, South Portland. Saltwater Grille welcomes boaters with a private dock and a large deck offering panoramic views of Portland’s city skyline. The menu includes plenty of locally caught fish and seafood, steaks, and owner Mark Loring’s signature pizza—lobster, grilled corn salsa, and basil.
  • Diamond’s Edge Restaurant, Diamond Cove, Portland. On the grounds of historic Fort McKinley, Diamond’s Edge Restaurant and Marina gives boaters the chance to escape the hustle of Portland for a relaxed island setting. The lawn overlooking the cove is a popular spot to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine.
  • North 43 Bistro, 1 Spring Point Dr., South Portland. Overlooking Port Harbor Marina, North 43 Bistro has decks on two levels and a contemporary feel. Chef Stephanie Brown’s sophisticated yet soulful menu changes every three weeks and has more varied choices than most waterside restaurants.
  • Crown Jewel - Dale Bruce reports that this is a restaurant on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay now offering boat side delivery. 207-766-3000
  • Dockside Grill, 214 Foreside Rd, Falmouth.
  • Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, 36 Main St, South Freeport. Cozy coastal vibes fill this seasonal, seaside pier in a working harbor. With bright red picnic tables, a lobster pound, and a classic Maine menu, the restaurant provides a real taste of local character.
  • Royal River Grill House, 106 Lafayette St, Yarmouth. This stylish waterfront restaurant boasts a large deck with heaters, firepits, and a harbor view, with a slip available for boaters at Yankee Marina just next door. The lively bar is a popular gathering spot for locals, and the large menu offers something for everyone.
  • CHEBEAGUE ISLAND Inn  (Free moorings and launch service with lunch or dinner)  You can play golf there too. And then on the ocean side of Chebeague is the boat yard with a place you can get wine/sandwiches and there’s a beach: http://chebeagueislandboatyard.com/the-niblic/
  • The Dolphin, 515 Basin Point Road, Harpswell. On the edge of Potts Harbor, the Dolphin has its own marina and a deck with sweeping views of the Casco Bay islands. Known for its traditional Maine fare served with blueberry muffins, the restaurant has been a local favorite since 1966.
  • Erica’s (like a dairy queen for fish and lobster - low key) and working lobsterman’s dock you can tie up. Colorfull! Near the Dolphin.
  • Morse’s Cribstone Grill, Bailey Island  (Ocean side)  Great little low key place with great menu and all seats have views.  You can get lunch or dinner there and they sell lobster to take home. They have dock to tie up to too.  https://www.morsescribstonegrill.net/ You sneak under the Cribstone bridge between Orrs Island and Bailey island to get there or you can run along the oceanside shore of Bailey’s .
  • Cooks Lobster: Indoor seating: other side of cribstone bridge from Morse’s You might be able to arrange a mooring at Orrs/Bailey island YC.
  • Cundy’s harbor) Dock and good seafood eating out on the pier. https://www.holbrookwharf.com/
  • Anna’s Waters Edge Restaurant- Haven’t been here yet but it is on my list! Looks great and unpolished. Address: 75 Blacks Landing Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562 Phone: (207) 389-1803
  • SEBASCO RESORT: (more polished) 29 Kenyon Rd, (877) 420-1701 Oceanfront resort hotel with regional dining, plus a golf course & a harborside pool.
  • Five Islands Lobster Co., Sheepscot River, https://fiveislandslobster.com/ There is a dock.  And if you just want to hang on a yacht club free mooring head to restaurant and look to port and there will be complimentary moorings

• Christmas Cove: Nancy Snow (Bruce and Linda MacNeil) recommend the Coveside Restaurant and Marina in South Bristol, Maine. 207-644-8282 The restaurant overhangs Christmas Cove and has a fabulous menu with lots of seafood, shellfish and beef. They have 7 moorings and overnight slips in the marina, all on Dockwa. Currently they will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 till 9:00 pm. There is inside dining, outside dining and takeout delivered to the docks. www.covesiderestaurant.com

• Damariscotta River: Five miles up the river there is a small, full-service boatyard, Gamage Shipyard.  They have diesel and gasoline available on their face dock 7 days per week. 207-644-8181.
• Tenant's Harbor: Charles Starke reports that his CCA guest mooring in Long Cove, #200 on the CCA list, was not set up with a ball this summer and is not available.
• McLoon’s Lobster Shack Tag (Nancy Cook) reports that this is off the beaten path but has the best lobster rolls she has ever had!! Now that’s saying something! McLoon’s is 315 Island road in Thomaston, ME. This is on Spruce Island (can be reached by car) near Muscle Shoals Channel. You can reach it by boat and dinghy ashore. Worth the stop.
• Rockland:
  • Wischbone (Jeff & Cindy Wisch) reports from the harbormaster that docks and moorings are in. 207-594-0312 There is a Farmer’s Market on Thursday’s from 0900 – 1300 in the field adjacent to the town dock.
  • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports the Grasshopper Shop downtown on Main Street has great boater friendly items such as Melamine dishware, plastic cups and glasses, placemats, Stonewall Kitchen condiments, jams, mustards. 
  • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) reports on the following restaurants:
    • Archers on the Pier- easy walk from the town dinghy dock. they have a deck and inside seating spaced out. no reservations but will move you up the list if you let them know you are coming soon. big menu.
    • Park St. Grille - seating inside spaced and outside they have about 5 or 6 tables. no reservations big menu good Mexican food and margaritas! walk up the hill from the town dinghy dock and turn right on Main St and go 2 blocks.
    • Cafe Rustica- takes reservations for seatings 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm. spaced out seating. smaller menu but good food. walk up from town dinghy dock, turn right on Main St. and go 3 or 4 blocks.
    • McLoons- in Sprucehead near Owlshead open 11:30-7pm closed tues and weds. You can anchor in the harbor, dinghy dock walk to it. it is on a rise by the water. lobster shack style good food. eat outside picnic tables
  • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the following stores:
    • Hannefords is in the north part of the harbor. Joe’s Taxi is out of business but try Schooner Bay Taxi 207-594-5000 (they also do Camden) wear a mask and don’t bring your cloth bags. They won’t let you bring them into the store. They are limiting the number of people inside but I have never had to wait. It is well stocked except paper towels are not there. Toilet paper is there.
    • Main St Market is small but has organic things and a place to get salads and sandwiches and take out hot things. from the town dock, go up the hill turn right and walk 6 blocks. 207-594-8515
    • Wiggins Meat Market 207-594-1118. 148 N Main St. has a great selection of vacuum-packed meats and fish and pastas. They are on Main street south. take your dinghy to the dinghy dock/boat ramp at Snow Park in the south of town and walk down Mechanic St to your left till you hit Main and turn right. The market is on your left a ways up Main. you can also come at it from the Town dock and walk south on Main St
    • Jess’s Seafood Market  207-596-6068 118 S. Main St.  is south of Wiggins so closer to Snow Park area.
• Rockport: Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report Market Basket is open. 207-236-4371
• Camden (from Dale Bruce)
  • Camden Town docks are welcoming transient boats but expect guests to honor 14 day quarantine, stay socially distant and wear masks. Harbor master: Steve Pixley. Monitors VHF Ch. 16 or Phone: 207-236-7969 Docking fees: $2.50 per ft night for under 40’ -  $3.50 per ft for 40’ to 70’ Power: 30amp - $15 night, 50 amp - $30 night  There is water on the dock, but supply your own hose. Pump out boat is available & can come to you at anchor or mooring. Call dockmaster to arrange – 236-7969 or VHF Ch 16. Restrooms on the public landing are partially open – one person allowed inside at a time.
  • Lyman Morse Dockmaster: Charlie Foote 207-236-7108 Moorings: $45 night Inner harbor float: $60 night (42’ maximum) Dock: $3 per ft per night up to 59’ length, $4.25 ft per night for 60’-99’ length They offer laundry pick-up and delivery through Camden Clothesline, 207-230-1166. Due to a fire on the property the laundry and showers are closed indefinitely. They  have water available on the docks and at the fuel dock. They also have a free pump-out service in the harbor.
  • Camden Yacht Club Dockmaster: Barb Goss Please contact the Dockmaster’s office at 207-236-3014, via VHF 68, or docks@camdenyachtclub.org Moorings available for $40 night. Inner harbor floats $50 night (42’ maximum length) NO other services available – no launch service even if you’re on a mooring. Please do not come to the docks, even in a dinghy. Use the town public landing.
  • Groceries: French and Brawn (1 Elm Street)  is one block from the public landing in Camden and offers most everything you may need. Deli, fish & meat departments as well as most groceries and produce. Mask required inside. Delivery to Public landing offered. Call or email an order for curbside pickup if you’re quarantined or wish delivery: 207-236-3361 or fandbmarket@gmail.com If requested ahead, they will package and freeze items for you.
  • Rhum line closed indefinitely – on the dock at Lyman Morse
  • Blue Barren Distillery - https://www.bluebarrendistillery.com/ Locally distilled Gin and Rum. Located on the Lyman Morse property, near the head of the harbor. There is talk that Blue Barren MIGHT start serving some food. Please call 207-542-7741 to schedule a curbside pickup at the distillery.
  • The Waterfront Restaurant – 48 Bayview Street On the water, nice deck overlooking the harbor. 11:30 - 2:30 serving lunch, from 2:30 - 4:30 serving drinks and light fare, from 5 until close only serving dinner. You can order take out from 11:30 am - 5 pm. Please wear a mask if you come into the restaurant for anything.
  • Peter Otts - 16 Bayview Landing – right on the harbor. Currently offering outdoor dining, take-out and curbside pick-up. Not currently accepting reservations. Open Wednesday – Sunday 12pm-8pm. To order by phone call 207.236.4032 or order online: https://www.peterotts.com/reservations
  • Camden Deli - 37 Main Street. Has a nice upstairs deck and is a great spot for breakfast or lunch.
  • Bagel Café – 25 Mechanic Street - is offering curbside take-out. Open 7 days 7am-2pm Great bagels, sandwiches, salads, baked goods. Call 207-236-2661 to order.
  • Hartstone Inn – 41 Elm Street. Upscale, lovely restaurant offering curbside pickup. Menu changes daily-see it online. An easy walk from the public landing. Open Wednesday-Sunday https://www.hartstoneinn.com/camden-maine-restaurant or 207-236-4259
  • 40 Paper – 40 Washington Street – Upscale Italian with Gluten Free options. An easy walk from the public landing. Right under the smokestack. Open 4-9. Curbside pickup (including fun cocktails), Indoor and patio seating – properly spaced out... Call 207-230-0111 for reservations. New menus posted on their Facebook page daily. Closed Sunday and Monday
  • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) reports there is a farmer’s market at 116 Washington Street, 9 – 12 Saturday. Walk from the town dock.
• Belfast:
  • Wischbone reports that the harbormaster says moorings are available but there are a limited number and reservations are accepted. Skye (Glen Porter) reports they have rented moorings from Kathy the harbormaster 207-276-5737
  • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports that the Belfast COOP is one of the safest in store shopping experiences he has had. It is a short walk from the harbor, and they will do on-line orders with curbside pick-up if desired. See https://belfast.coop/shop-for-me/  Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report that you walk up Main Street from the dinghy dock and turn left on High St and walk a block and look left. lots of fresh vegetables, organic products, lunch area for good sandwiches, etc. to eat in or take out.
  • Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports Darby’s Restaurant, The Neighborhood and Meanwhile Restaurant have outside dining.
• Perry Creek (Fox Island Thoroughfare) – Skye (Glen Porter) reports there are almost no private moorings. Also the boats moored in the Fox Island Thoroughfare are sparse.
• North Haven:
  • Hearts Desire (Dan & Joan Amory) report North Haven is welcoming visitors as long as you respect the health precautions – wear masks and social distance.
  • Pulpit Harbor: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report North Haven Grocery (207-867-2233 or Nhgrocery2019@gmail.com) is an easy walk, ½ mile, from the harbor. Open 6 AM to 7 PM daily. They will deliver to the town dock or the Pulpit Harbor dock. Call to pick up an order. Restocked Monday and Friday afternoons.
  • Pulpit Harbor: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report they buy lobsters from April Brown 207-542-3894/207-867-2209. She will also cook them for you.
  • Bluebird (Gust Stringos) reports the Nebo Lodge (207-867-2007) has indoor & outdoor dining (dinner?). Food is great and proper safety is observed. open Tuesday – Saturday. 
  • Bluebird (Gust Stringos) reports moorings are available from J. O. Brown (Brown’s Boatyard – (207-867-2282)
  • Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report Calderwod Hall Bakery & pizza, curbside pickup (5 pm – 8 pm) and delivery to the town dock (4:30 PM). 207-867-4700. Menu & order on the website: http://www.calderwoodhall.com/
  • Turner Farm: Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report Turner Farm is selling take-out food and vegetables. Anchor in Kent Cove. They have a dock you can dinghy to and walk to the barn. See the website for hours and menus. www.Turner-farm.com
• Carver’s Harbor (south end of Vinalhaven Island) Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report the  The Carver’s Harbor Market is quite big and right on the main St in the Harbor .207-863-4319 It is across the street from the dinghy dock. The harbor is crowded but there should be room to anchor out in the Reach area and dinghy in.
• Castine:
  • Doug & Dale Bruce report that this is a pretty town to walk in. Lots of historical information on signs.
  • Wischbone reports from the harbormaster that town moorings are available 207 266 7711 or Eaton’s Boat Yard 207-326-8579
  • Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the Mini Market. 207-326-9920 Walk up the hill to the first intersection and turn left and walk 100 ft. simple small market with deli.
  • Doug & Dale Bruce report Markel’s Bakery is open for take out only – Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM for lunch. 207-326-9510 to place your order.  Dennett’s Wharf restaurant is permanently closed.
• Buck’s Harbor: Windermere (John & Wendy Richards) report on the Buck’s Harbor General Store. 207-236-8683 They are open 8-7, not Sundays. Take your dinghy to the yacht club dock and walk out the driveway to the main road. Look across the street and you will see the General Store. They have market things, a deli, and some pastries.  The Buck’s Cafe restaurant behind the store will be open for takeout only for the summer (at this point).
• Center Harbor: Skye (Glen Porter) reports they have rented moorings from Brooklyn Boat Yard.
• Stonington: Wischbone reports that Billings Marine has moorings and dockage available 207-266-7711 No lobsters at the docks this year but the COOP is open.
• Northeast Harbor:
  • Wischbone reports from the Harbormaster that Acadia National Park is open for hiking. Biking on carriage trails prohibited. No Shuttle Buses. Pine Tree Grocery Store will deliver to the dock. Moorings and dock available for rental. Reservations only for dockage accepted. Rental moorings are available on a first come first served basis. (207 276 5737) Clifton dock is open for fuel.
  • Pine Tree Market on Main Street (easy walk from the town dock) is open 9 AM to 8 PM. They are happy to take phone orders 207-276-3335. Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports they will deliver to the town dock.
• Southwest Harbor:
  • Sawyer’s Specialties (wine and cheese shop) is open Monday – Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
  • IGA Southwest Food Market Grocery is a larger store but is 1.5 miles from the town dock.
  • Sunflower points out that if you are eligible to shop in military exchanges, there is a small USCG exchange on the Coast Guard base.
• Bar Harbor: Jo Jo (William Strassberg) reports the Atlantic Brewing Company has a very good BBQ restaurant in Town Hill with outdoor dining called Mainly Meat BBQ. Address is 5 Knox Rd Bar Harbor, ME 04609, phone 207-288-2337 (BEER). It is a car ride from any harbor.

• Jonesport: Stewart’s Grocery is a full service convenience store. 207-497-2921 Their Facebook page has photos of what they carry. Sweet Dreams (Maggie Salter/Alan Hickey) report the store is a 2 to 3 mile walk. Google shows it only about 2/10 mile from the harbor. ???
• Eastport: multiple attempts to reach the harbormaster have been unsuccessful. (Anyone having information on Eastport please send it to us.)

• Fleet Surgeon’s COVID memo: https://cruisingclub.org/article/covid-practices 
• All editions of this newsletter online: https://cruisingclub.org/bos/gmp/cruisemaine
• Latest details on travel restrictions:  https://www.mainetourism.com/travel-resources-covid-19/
• Maine State Government COVID Response information: https://www.maine.gov/covid19/
• CCA boat tracker: https://cruisingclub.org/mo/boats-track
• CCA custom Maine cruising boat tracker: https://cruisingclub.org/mo/boatchart/maine
• Maine COVID status by zip code: https://public.tableau.com/profile/maine.cdc.covid.19.response#!/vizhome/covid-19-maine-cdc-cases-by-zip-code/CasesbyZIPCode
• Maine COVID information: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/coronavirus/us-state?name=maine“
• “A Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast”, Sixth Edition, 2017 by Curtis Rindlaub and Hank & Jan Taft: www.mainecoastguide.com