The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and atmosphere. According to their website “From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product.” It was formed in 1970 by then President Richard Nixon for better protection of life and property from natural hazards from three existing agencies – the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (1807), the Weather Bureau (1870), and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (1871).

With his experience, Captain Jon is able to listen to the NOAA forecast and interpret the best direction for the J&E Riggin to sail on any particular day and be able to look ahead for the length of a schooner cruise to have an idea of what our course might look like.

This link will take you to the written version of the radio broadcast that the Captain listens to every morning and evening.

Guesses can be made in the comments section of the blog until May 4th. The winner will receive a hat from the Riggin Ship Store!

The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) encourages participation in programs such as Island Clean-ups and the Adopt-An-Island program as well as Leave No Trace. Through partnerships with the State of Maine, as well as land trusts and generous private property owners, MITA ensures access to visitors in kayaks, sailboats, motorboats and other watercraft.

For more information on the Maine Island Trail Association, to make a donation, or become a member, please visit their website.

The extended days of June make for perfect sailing.  We stay out later as the days are longer and the winds are just perfect for a little adventure.  Now, when I say adventure, I don’t mean sailing at mock 5, I just mean a little excitement to get your cheeks pink and then a relaxing evening watching the sun set while we are at anchor.

Some folks say that the season doesn’t really get started until July, which is also to your advantage as there are fewer folks traveling and you can play it more by ear.  That said, there is still plenty going on.  Here are a few events that flank the J&E Riggin’s June windjammer cruises.

• June 16 and 17 – from 9:30am - 5:00pm Owls Head Transportation Museum will have a Hot Rods, Customs, Muscle Cars, and Antique Aeroplane Show – From the style and color of the 1950s to the raw power of the 1970s, come celebrate America’s passion for cool cars. Pre-1992 vehicles are welcome to exhibit too. Vehicle demonstration, Model T rides, family activities and more. Adults $12; under 18 free.

•  June 30 - 5:00pm - 8:00pm A Wine and Dine Benefit Dinner for the Georges River Land Trust (celebrating 25 years of conservation). Oyster River Winegrowers’ Brian Smith and Uproot Pie Company’s Jessica Shepard combine their talents to present a unique dining experience. Brian and Allie Smith purchased their 57- acre Warren farm in 2007 and planted their first grapevines in 2008. As their own vines mature, they are creating wines from grape varieties sourced from across the country. The Smiths are producing a dry, aromatic Reisling, a Merlot and a Petite Sirah plus two house blends. Jessica Shepard’s Uproot Pie Co. has become a major hit at the local farmers markets. Using her mobile, wood fired oven she produces an exceptional variety of artisan pizzas and flat breads. Join us in the barn’s tasting room for a selection of Oyster River’s latest estate bottled wines along with hors d’oeuvres and a scrumptious dinner from Uproot Pie. Members of GRLT $50; non-members $55.

A berth is also used to describe a sufficient distance for moving a ship to maintain safety, a place where a ship lies at anchor or at a wharf/dock, and as a billet on a ship.

Bunks typically refer to a built-in bed, often built up in a tier. On smaller vessels  bunks can have sliding doors which close on the occupant to prevent him being tossed out in bad weather.

Luckily, on the Riggin your berth or bunk is in a cabin with only one or two other beds (three if you’re in the triple cabin) and the worry of being tossed out is non-existent.

Ways we practice and support LNT:

• Hold our lobster bakes below the high tide line or at an already present fire pit or campsite.
• Bring our own wood to use and we always make sure our site is cleaner when we leave then we arrived.
• Encourage folks to tread lightly – meaning to photograph, sketch, and meditate on animals, wildflowers, rocks and seashells, but to leave them where they are – undisturbed.
• Compost on the islands we visit.

Doing these little things helps protect and conserved the beauty of the Coast of Maine and we are proud that we can do our part. For more information on Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics visit www.LNT.org.

The first meaning is swill or slop while the second refers to nonsense or balderdash (something stupid, invalid or illogical.

From what I could find this meaning was first used in the 15th century in farm yards to describe the water that was tossed out after washing a hog or it referred to the swill fed to hogs which held no nutritional value.

Have you ever used the term hogwash?

Sharing the Maine windjammer experience – the schooner, the bays, the islands, the lobster – with you is such a treat. Join us for a short 3 or 4 day cruise or a longer 6 day sail and experience this adventure first hand.