Maine Lobster Boat Races at Friendship, ME 2006
Above: Party-On, Dude. This gives a whole new meaning to Maine Working Boat!
All photos this page (c) John Tarbox, 2006
Lobster boat races are a real Maine tradition going back for generations. They have evolved into formal events held in most of the major harbors up and down the coast every summer.On Saturday, July 29, 2006 Friendship Maine held their annual lobster boat race. If you have never attended one of these races then you are really missing out on something special!
People come to the lobster boat races from all over the coast as both spectators and participants. Often a lobster person (can't call 'em lobsterman any more, lots of women do it also) loads up their boat with all the family, friends and neighbors and make a day of it. It's not uncommon to see a propane grill on the stern where on any other day the traps would be stacked. Take a look at some of the accompanying photos and you will see what I mean.
It's Not Just for Lobster Boats
It's not just the lobster boats that show up either, there are lots of people from away in pleasure boats as well. Heck one lady even showed up in a sea kayak! Also seen in the water were harbor seals and several people who jumped in to cool off from the heat.
The Coast Guard and the Maine Marine Patrol were in attendance as well to help keep order and insure everyone remained safe.
As is the tradition the boats make a running start on the course. The Coast Guard 47 foot motor life boat from Boothbay Harbor has been serving as the starter boat for several years. All the boats start down the course and when the CG boat sees that they are even they drop a big green flag to signify a fair start.
The High School class of 2008 was selling food, and if you called them on channel 69 they would even deliver it to you on your boat in the harbor.
Some years "accidents" can happen and tempers can run high among some of the participants. This year there were no collisions and nobody blew an engine so things were relatively calm. Everybody left happy and looking forward to the next race.
- John Tarbox
