Don’t miss the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Boat Show in Rockland, Aug 12 -14.  South Port Marine will see you there!  http://www.maineboats.com/boatshow

Regardless of the rain/fog, lots of visitors are touring the Nina and Pinta today.  Yesterday, the Portland Press Herald filmed the approach and docking of the ships followed by a short tour of the Pinta.  See the link for this great video:  http://bcove.me/bl7mvqdo

South Port Marine is pleased that the Nina and Pinta, the Columbus Foundation’s historic ships, are docked at our marina.  They are giving tours starting tomorrow, June 23rd through Monday, June 27th, from 9 AM to 6 PM daily.  See the link to their website for more information:  www.thenina.com.

South Port Marine will initiate hurricane haul-out procedures 48 hours prior to the National Weather Service’s expected time of hurricane strike on Casco Bay.  Due to limited tide cycles in a 48 hour period, SPM must be prepared to haul-out as many boats as possible during the short time period.  Therefore, we require customers to “sign up” on a hurricane haul-out list prior to hurricane season.  SPM slip customers will be given first priority for hurricane haul-out, provided they are on the hurricane haul-out list.

Prior to signing up on the list, customer may want to check with their vessel insurance company to find out if the insurance will pay for the hurricane haul out cost.  Some insurance will pay if the National Weather Service broadcasts a hurricane “watch” or “warning”.  Other insurance will pay only if there is a “warning”.  South Port Marine reserves the right to initiate haul-out procedures during a “watch”, while using our best judgment of the situation.

The hurricane haul-out list is located in the South Port Marine service department.  In addition to signing the list, the customer must sign a hurricane haul-out work order. If South Port Marine initiates the hurricane haul-out procedures, due to time constraints, we will not call the customers on the list.  By signing the hurricane list and work order, the customer is agreeing that South Port Marine will haul the customer’s vessel without communication to the customer once hurricane haul-out procedures commence.

Signing the hurricane haul-out list is not mandatory, but customers with boats longer than 40 feet, who have not signed the hurricane haul-out list, will have to leave the marina if local authorities issue a mandatory evacuation of the marina.

Remembering the Patriot’s Day Storm of 2006, South Port Marine will do our best to respond to any severe storm or gale warnings with a similar and timely call to service.  Without reasonable time to react, we cannot guarantee our response, taking into account our own preparation needs.  It is better to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best possible outcome, if these circumstances arise.

Winter is almost over, and the South Port Marine service crew is preparing for the 2011 spring season.  The warm sunshine and increased activity at the marina are most welcome.  We are pleased that one of South Port Marine’s service jobs for 2011 requires using our new Hayn Top-Reff hydraulic swaging machine that we acquired in October of 2010.  This project includes replacement of all standing rigging on a sailboat by our expert sailboat rigging department. 

Boat designer, Titanic explorer and ”Points East” contributor, Roger Long,  chose South Port Marine for the refit of his 32 foot sailboat prior to departing on a year long retirement cruise to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and beyond.  See Roger’s website at  http://www.cruisingonstrider.us/RWL.htm.  We at South Port Marine look forward to seeing Strider sail off into Casco Bay on her way to Nova Scotia with new standing rigging and the very capable hands of Roger at the helm.

The attached photos show one of the rigging techs swaging a fitting on the standing rigging of Strider. 

We are very excited to have launched our new website, which we hope will allow us to serve you better!

For starters, check out our new contact form, which will get your message to the right department even faster. Also, we have a new online reservation form, to help you book the right slip to fit your needs with ease.

As always, we have information about our services, brands and the Marina itself.

Check back here for news about the marina and upcoming events, or follow us on Facebook for another way to stay in touch.