by maineseacoast | Apr 25, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Capt. Michael Johnson in the Sunbeam V wheelhouse. Click the image to see Capt. Johnson’s video.
BAR HARBOR, ME — The Maine Seacoast Mission has decided on Front Street Shipyard of Belfast, ME to complete the midlife refurbishment of the Mission’s 74-foot boat, Sunbeam V. Captain Michael Johnson expects the boat will be at Front Street Shipyard next month for the extensive refit.
Capt. Mike Johnson said, “The Sunbeam’s last trip ends April 25th. Then there’s a week to ten day decommissioning period for the boat in Northeast Harbor. In early May the boat will go down to Front Street Shipyard and have an additional decommissioning. Some of Front Street Shipyard’s work can be done while the boat’s in the water. It’s probably going to be hauled, taken out of the water in mid-May,” Capt. Johnson said.
Capt. Johnson said in his YouTube video explaining the Sunbeam refit, “The thesis of the refit work is basically to gain access to the below deck areas. Steel boats rust from the inside out. A lot of those areas are difficult to access.
“There’s no major hull degradation. But we need to address it now before there is,” Johnson said. “We have to rip out the entire accommodations section of the boat, sand blast the steel, and paint two coats of marine epoxy on the internal sections. Every nook and cranny. Unless you rip out the entire downstairs area you’re going to miss something, and that’s going to haunt you for years.”
When the Sunbeam’s insides are removed, Johnson explained, “it’s also a great opportunity to cosmetically upgrade the boat.” He said it “is a perfect chance to update” all of the Sunbeam “dated equipment and dated cosmetics.” That work includes the Sunbeam wheelhouse, bunk houses, galley, and salon, all of which are shown in detail in the Sunbeam Captain’s YouTube video.
“The boat’s fundamentally sound and serves us well,” said Johnson. The refitting “is the best choice going forward to get another 15, 20 to 25 years out of the Sunbeam,” he said. “We’re hoping to have the boat back in service by Christmas.”
Front Street Shipyard President and General Manager JB Turner said, “Our entire team at Front Street Shipyard is eager to begin working with Maine Seacoast Mission on the comprehensive refit of Sunbeam V. The vessel has had a critical role in the health and well-being of Maine island communities for almost a quarter century, and we’re honored to contribute to that ongoing mission through this refit. Having the opportunity to update and upgrade the capabilities of Sunbeam V will have a direct benefit to our fellow Mainers, which makes us all proud,” Turner said.
Capt. Mike Johnson will oversee the Sunbeam V refit. Meanwhile, Sunbeam Engineer Storey King will captain the Mission’s interim boat, Moonbeam, so Sunbeam crew members Sharon Daley, Douglas Cornman, and Jillian can continue their work as Island Health Director, Island Outreach Director, and Steward in the Sunbeam V’s absence.
Captain Michael Johnson’s “Sunbeam Refit Explained” video is available on the Mission’s YouTube channel here.
![Maine Seacoast Mission Finalizes Sale of La Rochelle HQ; Looks Forward to the Future]()
by maineseacoast | Apr 3, 2019 | Colket Center, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
La Rochelle – The Colket Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2019
For More Information
Contact – Scott K Fish, Mission Communication & Marketing
sfish@seacoastmission.org or 207-458-7185
Maine Seacoast Mission Finalizes Sale of La Rochelle HQ; Looks Forward to the Future
BAR HARBOR, ME — One door closes, more open. La Rochelle, the longtime Bar Harbor headquarters of the Maine Seacoast Mission, was sold on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 to the Bar Harbor Historical Society. With the sale, the Mission says a fond farewell to a special part of its history, while looking forward with enthusiasm to the future.
Proceeds from the sale will be placed in the Mission endowment.
“We’re treating this transfer of assets as an investment in the Mission’s long-term future,” said Mission President John Zavodny. “From now on, La Rochelle will be part of every student we help send to college, every bite of fresh produce at our Cherryfield food pantry, and every islander who gets medical help through the Sunbeam V. We are most grateful to the Colket family for the enduring gift of La Rochelle,” said President Zavodny.
The Mission’s new office in Northeast Harbor will carry on the Colket Center name. For the first time the Mission headquarters and the Sunbeam V will be in one place. The commute to-and-from the Mission’s Downeast Campus in Cherryfield stays the same.
Zavodny expects to move to the Northeast Harbor location in 2020. Meanwhile, the Mission will lease space in La Rochelle from the historical society.
Mission Board Chair Stacey Smith said, “As Colket Center rooms emptied and Mission artifacts were packed away, our minds were on the generous support and compassionate leadership of Ruth and Tris Colket.
“My most treasured memories of this house center around the lively Mission Board of Director’s discussions at the dining room table. Conversations that helped develop programs like EdGE and the current Sunbeam V refit.
“Change is hard, excitement is contagious. I am very excited to see what the future holds for the Mission,” said Stacey Smith.
Meanwhile, all Mission contact information — email addresses, phone numbers, social media pages, and web site will stay the same.
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by maineseacoast | Mar 27, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, John Zavodny, News, Sunbeam
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.
Learn more about the Sunbeam V and crew.
by maineseacoast | Mar 18, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News
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.
