We have always asked the guests aboard the Schooner J. & E. Riggin to be flexible. It is a dynamic environment, without a set itinerary. We venture wherever the wind and weather takes us along the pristine shores of Maine, away from the crowds, in the fresh breeze. As we prepare for a summer of fun and adventure, we ask for your continued flexibility as we adapt to the guidelines set forth for us by the CDC, the state of Maine, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
We want to share with all of you how we intend to keep our vessel a safe, and clean environment for you to relax, and enjoy the familiar comfort of sailing aboard the Riggin.
Pre-Screening:
Guests must furnish proof of vaccination and/or a negative test within 72 hours of boarding the vessel. Rapid tests are available at most Walgreens locations and in the Portland Jetport. This is required of all guests regardless of state exemptions at this time.
A pre-screening health self assessment questionnaire will to be filled out on the dock prior to boarding.
Masks:
Masks will be required below deck and in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as while hauling sail, heaving up the anchor, and on shore trips in the yawl boat.
Masks and gloves will be available on board to anyone upon request.
Meals:
Meals will be individually plated to reduce the risk of exposure posed by serving meals in a buffet-style.
Dishes will be sanitized and put away by the crew.
Cleaning:
All common spaces such as shared companion ways, and heads, will be cleaned and disinfected regularly as they always have been.
All ship linens will be washed and disinfected in between trips as they have always been.
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the boat.
Crew:
Crew will be subject to testing at regular intervals
Crew will wear masks below decks, during all food preparation, and in situations where they are in close contact with guests.
All of these policies are in adherence with current guidelines set forth for us by the CDC, the state of Maine, and the U.S. Coast Guard and are subject to change. Check back frequently to keep up with these changes, and please call us with any questions or concerns.
After nearly a year of sitting stationary, the Schooner J. & E. Riggin left the dock yesterday under the direction of her new captains, Justin Schaefer & Jocelyn Schmidt. She was bound for North End Shipyard, for her annual haul out. The crew relished in the cool spring breeze on their faces, something they all had missed in their time away.
“It would have been powerful to take her off the dock for the first time regardless of whether or not she had sailed last year.” Jocelyn said. “There was something exceptionally powerful about getting to be the ones to take her out, even just for the short run to the shipyard knowing that it was the first time in a year she had had the chance to stretch her legs. It feels like the start of a really special summer, and the reality of being able to have a season this year is pretty emotional for us.”
This haul-out will be brief, just to put fresh paint on the bottom and replace the zincs which protect the metal beneath the water from electrolysis.
“It feels good to be back out on the water and to return to a familiar routine with the vessel after a year of lying dormant,” said Captain Schaefer. “Generations of Riggin crew spanning several seasons came out to offer their collective support & wisdom which made for an extremely special day.”
Signs of spring are happening, and by that we mean it’s haulout time, where for a few days the Riggin is pulled out of the water which allows access to the whole hull. This is the time to inspect the hull; wash and paint the bottom; and change the zincs. Routine maintenance is also coupled with tending to anything that needs mending or replacing under the water line while we have access to these spots. The shipyard can be a satisfying time because it really starts to feel as if we truly will be sailing soon. It’s also a time when stories are made – like the year we shoveled snow off the rail way before hauling in mid-April (and that wasn’t this year!). And doing projects late into the night by the light of the truck headlights to get off the railway as quickly as possible.
The Riggin hauled out on the rail way at North End Shipyard
The Riggin is now back in the water – bottom painted and inspected, hull sanded and partially painted, and a couple of little things taken care of under the water. Now she waits for a couple of coats of paint and her sails to go on so that she can once again sail Penobscot Bay with all of us.
The Timberwind, our other vessel, is in Belfast not Rockland. She came out of the water yesterday in a completely different way. Front Street Shipyard, instead of a railway, uses a large travel lift which picks her up out of the water and transfers her to the yard where she rests with a number of other large vessels. She is supported “on the hard” with jack stands placed strategically all around her hull. You’ll see from the photo that the foremast is un-stepped. We’ll work on the top part of the foremast, an area tough to get to while it’s in place, replace the servings around the shrouds and be ready for the mast to be stepped right after the boat goes back into the water later this week.
The Timberwind hauled out at Front Street Shipyard with a travel lift
When both are back in the water, we’ll be that much closer to sailing with you all!
