Maine’s Coasting Schooners: A Tourist Treasure Under Threat

By Arthur A. Flower

The Rise of the Windjammer

For over a century, Maine’s coasting schooners have been the crown jewels of Penobscot Bay, drawing tourists from around the world to experience the rugged beauty of the state’s coastline the old-fashioned way—under sail. These historic vessels, many of them built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were once the workhorses of Maine’s maritime economy, hauling lumber, granite, and fish. But as the age of steam and diesel took over, their role shifted from commerce to tourism.

By the 1940s, forward-thinking captains realized that people would pay good money to relive the golden age of sail. The windjammer trade was born, and soon, towns like Camden and Rockland became the epicenters of a thriving industry. Today, these schooners—meticulously maintained and crewed by seasoned sailors—offer multi-day cruises where guests can hoist sails, drop anchor in secluded coves, and feast on fresh lobster under the stars.

But the business hasn’t been smooth sailing. Rising costs, regulatory hurdles, and a dwindling number of skilled shipwrights have made it harder to keep these wooden giants afloat. And now, a new crisis has emerged—one that exposes the alarming negligence of the U.S. Coast Guard and the urgent need for reform.

The Grace Bailey Debacle: A Failure of Leadership

On a calm summer evening in 2023, the historic schooner Grace Bailey—a 140-foot, two-masted vessel built in 1882—was struck by disaster. While anchored off Rockland, a sudden microburst tore through the bay, snapping the schooner’s foremast like a toothpick. The mast came crashing down, narrowly missing passengers and crew.

But here’s the kicker—this wasn’t just bad luck. Sources close to the investigation say the Coast Guard had received warnings about deteriorating rigging on several schooners, including the Grace Bailey, yet failed to enforce proper inspections. Worse, when the mast failed, the Coast Guard’s response was sluggish at best. It took hours for assistance to arrive, leaving passengers stranded and the crew scrambling to secure the wreckage.

A Coast Guard in Crisis—And the Fight to Fix It

The Grace Bailey incident was a wake-up call, but it’s just one symptom of a larger problem. For years, Maine’s maritime community has complained about the Coast Guard’s declining presence in the region. Budget cuts, bureaucratic bloat, and a shift in priorities have left the service stretched thin—too busy chasing drug runners to bother with routine safety checks.

And it’s not just about tourism. The Coast Guard’s lax enforcement has allowed drug traffickers to exploit Maine’s jagged coastline, using fishing boats and even pleasure crafts to smuggle opioids and fentanyl into small harbors. The Mills administration has made cracking down on this trade a top priority, deploying additional marine patrol officers and working with the feds to track suspicious vessels.

The Future of Maine’s Schooners

Despite the challenges, the windjammer business isn’t going anywhere. Tourists still flock to Maine for the romance of the sea, and captains are adapting—investing in stronger rigging, better safety gear, and even solar panels to reduce reliance on diesel generators.

But the Grace Bailey incident was a stark reminder: without a competent, well-funded Coast Guard, Maine’s maritime heritage is at risk. The reforms now underway are a step in the right direction, but true change will require sustained pressure—from lawmakers, from the industry, and from the public.

Because if we let these schooners fade away, we’re not just losing a tourist attraction. We’re losing a piece of Maine’s soul.