‘Sunbeam V’ Update – Looking Outside the Pilothouse
Thank you, Front Street Shipyard, for your frequent photo postings of the Sunbeam V refit progress.
This photo, Front Street tells us, is “the view just outside the pilothouse on [the] Sunbeam.”
Thank you, Front Street Shipyard, for your frequent photo postings of the Sunbeam V refit progress.
This photo, Front Street tells us, is “the view just outside the pilothouse on [the] Sunbeam.”
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Moonbeam is the Mission’s interim boat while the Sunbeam V undergoes its routine major refit. To carry on their work on Maine unbridged islands, the Sunbeam crew relies on Moonbeam and Captain Storey King to carry them to the islands and back. Sometimes Sunbeam crew members go to work using other means of transportation such as island mail boats and airplanes.
In this photo, taken just days ago at Northeast Harbor, ME, Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN (purple coat), and Steward Jillian (standing on Moonbeam), are returning from a island telemedicine trip.
The important work of telemedicine on Maine islands
By Maine Seacoast Mission • September 12, 2019
For Maine’s island residents, accessing even basic health care is a significant challenge. Trips to the mainland, when possible, are expensive and time consuming.
Since 1905, the Maine Seacoast Mission has played a vital role connecting residents of Maine’s most isolated unbridged islands with services: access to medical and dental care, spiritual support, education, and crisis services. The first of the Mission’s ships named Sunbeam, commissioned in 1912, carried books, supplies, and pastoral care to Maine islands, lighthouses, and isolated coastal communities of Hancock and Washington counties.
The Sunbeam also transported the very ill to hospitals, and provided basic health care and vaccinations.
Today, the Sunbeam V, with a Captain and four-person crew, carries on its work, combining Mission traditions with modern telemedicine.
BAR HARBOR, ME — On August 30 Dr Kurt H. Kelley, MD of Mid Coast Eye Associates, Bath, ME and Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN traveled to Swan’s Island aboard the Mission’s interim boat, Moonbeam, to provide free eye exams.
Dr Kelley is able to provide screenings for glaucoma and cataracts and prescribe eye glasses. Eighteen people saw Dr. Kelly that day. Thank you, Dr. Kelley for the donation of your time and skill in providing this great service.
Also, thank you Swan’s Island Library librarian Jeanie Hoyle for letting us use the library, and also coordinating appointments and transportation.
Learn more about the Mission’s Island Health Services:
BAR HARBOR, ME — Over the weekend, Sunbeam V Captain Michael Johnson sent photo updates on the boat’s routine major refit:
The final coat of epoxy has been applied and new bilge plumbing is being installed in the accommodation section. The floor will hopefully be fitted next week. Progress is being made!
John Armstrong is responsible for all the sandblasting on the Sunbeam V — an extensive and difficult job. When John emerges from the bilge with his suit and helmet the boat could be mistaken for Sunbeam XV being serviced at a Starfleet facility.
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