A few minutes after the Sunbeam tied up on Frenchboro, islanders made their way onto the boat. They were there for Covid and flu vaccines. While some islanders just stopped by to get their shots and maybe grab a cookie, others stayed to enjoy lunch or dinner and chat with the crew and other islanders.
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In less than 48 hours, the Sunbeam visited four islands to provide vaccinations: Frenchboro, Isle au Haut, Matinicus, and Monhegan. During each stop, a steady stream of people came by to check in and get their shots. Accounting for ferry schedules and tides, the Sunbeam spent a few hours on each island leaving Isle au Haut at 4 a.m. to visit Monhegan, an island visited once a year by the Mission’s boat.
The Mission’s short time on each island went a long way for each community. During the winter months, with some island populations dropping to around 20 people, the Sunbeam provides a welcome respite. And it was clearly a celebration: on Frenchboro, a young boy came on to play with the toy pirate ship, expressing joy that it was back. Sometimes both tables in the salon were filled with people discussing the latest island news. On Matinicus, one resident joked that the whole island stopped by to see the boat. When the Sunbeam is in port, it becomes an unofficial community center, with neighbors catching up with each other. With many islanders wearing multiple hats, they often lack the spare time to socialize; yet a visit from the Mission gives them a chance to pause and get together.
During each stop, Director of Island Services Douglas Cornman and Sunbeam Nurse Simone Babineaux also made home visits, dropping off supplies and checking in with residents who could not make it on the boat. Northern Light Home Care & Hospice partnered with the Mission to provide vaccines and Nurse Jacyln Janis also noticed how important the Sunbeam was to islanders. “Islanders are coming in to get their vaccines, but they are also coming in to eat Mac and cheese. They are sharing the latest good news as well as mourning the latest losses. The Sunbeam’s place in these communities is so unique.”
Residents checked in with Sunbeam crew about their next trip, which is the yearly Christmas trip. There were discussions about what activity was happening during that trip from potlucks to pageants. And as each person left the Sunbeam, they waved goodbye and said they would see the crew, “next time.”
Learn more about the Mission’s Island Health program and the Sunbeam.