Cruise ship plans to stop at Eastport twice next summer

The 102-passenger cruise ship, Spirit of Nantucket, will be making two visits to Eastport next summer. The 207-foot vessel, owned by CruiseWest of Seattle, Wash., will be coming to Eastport on July 5 and September 17. On July 5, the vessel will be coming up from Bar Harbor and will arrive between 7 and 8 a.m. and departing between 9 and 10 p.m.
The Eastport Port Authority board of directors discussed preparations for the cruise ship arrival at their November 20 meeting. Among the issues to be considered are ensuring that the cruise ship can unload passengers at the fish pier, since a Navy vessel is expected to be at the breakwater on July 5; and making sure that U.S. Customs is prepared for the arrival, since the passengers may be traveling to Campobello.

Board member Jett Peterson noted that, although the vessel will be docking in Eastport, "the real drawing card is Campobello." The passengers may take the ferries over to the island to visit the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and board member Jonathan Daniels commented, "CruiseWest should be made aware about possible problems crossing the border." The cruise ship owners are also very interested in having the passengers visit the Waponahki Museum at Pleasant Point.

A cruise ship planning team, consisting of Peterson, Lora Whelan, Tess Ftorek, John Miller and Chris Brown, met on November 21 to begin the planning process, and Brian Nutter, director of the Maine Port Authority, and Amy Powers, director of Cruise Maine, may be invited to address a "town meeting" gathering to get input from the public.
Although there will be much work to do in preparing, Peterson noted, "We should feel very gratified that they will be here all day long."

The vessel currently calls at Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Bangor, Camden, Bath, Boothbay Harbor and Portland.

Property development
Board members discussed the property between Washington St. and Sullivan St., formerly owned by John Rinaldi, that was purchased in September from Chase Langmaid for $212,000. The property was purchased by the port authority for the purpose of creating a visitors' center for cruise ships, an outside entertainment center, restrooms and parking. The port authority had taken out a loan to cover the cost, with the expectation that a $250,000 Department of Transportation grant would be forthcoming. At the meeting it was stated that the grant funding would be received soon.

Board members stated that the board should be presented a plan for the property's development that would be approved by the board. Board Chairman George Finch said that any work paid through the remaining grant money would be handled through a request for proposals requirement. Proposals for leasing the Rinaldi apartment building will also be sought. Finch noted that there are no plans to tear down the building.

Possible new cargoes
In other action at the November 20 meeting, three possible new cargoes through the port were noted: wood pellets, gravel, and bark mulch and firewood, which would be shipped to the Netherlands. Federal Marine Terminals Manager Skip Rogers stated that a group of people interested in shipping aggregate through the port visited recently. He commented that the company interested in a pellet mill needs startup funding, but he observed that there is a good market for the pellets overseas. It was noted that how the pellets are handled would have to be addressed, in order to move the bulk cargo economically.

Rogers reported 45 vessels have called at the port so far this year, with 308,000 tons of cargo loaded. With probably seven more ships still to come before January, this year should see the largest tonnage of any year since the port began handling pulp from the Baileyville mill in 1981.

The board also reviewed bylaw changes in preparation for a proposal for charter changes that would need to be approved by the legislature.

There was some discussion concerning vacancies on the board, which are filled by appointment of the city council until the next municipal election. With a position now open, following the resignation of John Bishop, board members agreed they would advertise for candidates. They will then make a recommendation of a candidate to the council.