ABOARD THE SUNBEAM V, ME — Mission President John Zavodny in the Sunbeam V wheelhouse with Capt. Michael Johnson. President Zavodny and Mission Director of Development Christine Stelling are out with the Sunbeam crew for a few days this week for Island Health Director Sharon Daley’s telemedicine trip.
This trip gives Stelling and Zavodny a chance to see the Sunbeam and crew in action, to introduce themselves to some of the unbridged island communities.
ABOARD THE SUNBEAM, ME — Buzz Scott & Paul Savoy of OceansWide, a non-profit organization whose mission is to put students and scientists together at sea in the Gulf of Maine, helped the school students from Islesford and Great Cranberry Islands explore the water and seabed around their islands using OceansWide’s underwater remote operated vehicle.
Each student learned how to fly the ROV (remotely operated vehicle), and was given time to explore to their heart’s delight. It was a beautiful day on the water, a great day for learning.
Thanks Buzz, Paul and OceansWide for freely sharing your knowledge and love of our beautiful ocean.
Introducing Moonbeam. Named by a majority vote of Maine island schoolkids, Moonbeam is the Sunbeam V’s replacement during its refitting.
BAR HARBOR, ME — With the Maine Seacoast Mission’s Sunbeam V coming out of the water for a major refit later this Spring, the Mission had to find a way for the Sunbeam crew to continue traveling from island to island providing social, health, education, and spiritual services in the Sunbeam’s absence.
Sunbeam Engineer Storey King did a fabulous job researching, locating, and inspecting several possible boats to fill in for the Sunbeam. He located the 34-foot wooden Downeast Cruiser shown here to serve this role.
Now the big question: What to call the Sunbeam’s interim replacement?
Island Outreach Director Douglas Cornman solicited possible names from Mission staff and crew and asked island schoolkids to vote for their favorite name on the list.
Director Douglas Cornman said, “End of day Friday, March 8, was the voting deadline. The majority of island schoolkids selected Moonbeam, with Hope in second and Promineo in third.”
Moonbeam was suggested as a complimentary name to Sunbeam V, Hope was the name given to the Mission’s first vessel launched in 1905. Promineo is the Latin word meaning “to reach out.” Holistic outreach is the crew’s focus with outer island communities.
“So, the Sunbeam crew will be traveling around on a Moonbeam this Summer and Fall while our beloved Sunbeam is enjoying its much needed refit,” said Douglas.
Stay tuned for details on the official Moonbeam christening.
Learn more about the Sunbeam V and the crew’s work among Maine unbridged islands:
ABOARD THE SUNBEAM V, ME — Island Health Director Sharon Daley (half hidden behind the laptop computer) is introducing Maine island resident Bernie to Amazon, helping her research lime green knee high boots. Pat, wearing a red cap, is watching.
Sunbeam Steward Jillian said, “I share this image because it captures a collective favorite precious experience for all of us. Anyone who knows beautiful Bernie will understand.”
Learn more about the Sunbeam V crew’s work with communities on Maine unbridged islands.
Every so often, someone makes our day, sending us a note from our website, sharing new pieces of Mission history. These two recent messages are examples.
I was going through some my wife’s things and came across the book, “The Light of a Sunbeam,” written in 1993 by Cecil Mac Donald. It’s about the Mac Donald family tree [and] the formation of the Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society.
My wife is related to the Mac Donald family. Apparently she is the several “greats” granddaughter of Allan Mac Donald. We actually bought and live in her Great Aunt Maude Mac Donald’s home in California.
It is nice to find out Maine Seacoast Mission, founded over a hundred years ago, is still going.
David
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My mother, Charlena G. was born and raised on Louds Island and she told me that when she was a small child that she always looked forward to a visit from “Gods Little Tug Boat.” She passed away in 2001 and I am sure she is with God.
She always told me how the Seacoast Missionaries and the little church on the island affected her life. She was a good mother.
I am wondering if you might have a picture of the boat that would visit the island in the twenties and thirties. I would love to see it. Thank you for your attention and for the message that was brought to my mother by “Gods Little Tug Boat.” She passed it on to my brother and me.
Mission Island Health Director Sharon Daley, RN said, “Telemedicine makes this teamwork possible, so the presenter can be on the mainland, working with the class on the island.”
