Updates

Captain Mike will post news items and pending special events in the spaces below:

July 5, 2006

Capt. Kiernan's corsairs capitalize on pirate popularity Seth_Koenig@TimesRecord.Com 07/05/2006 BATH — The upcoming big screen debut of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" could give Mike Kiernan's Pirate Cruises another boost after an already prosperous Bath Heritage Days Festival. For the teenage swashbucklers who crew Long Reach Cruise's two-year-old specialty tours, the big crowds galvanize their belief that pirating the Kennebec River is serious business. "It's been very rewarding," said Kiernan, manning his pirate ticket booth during the recent festivities. "I've been really impressed with the quality of performance they put on last year and continue to do this year. They've got a tremendous amount of talent." Some of Capt. Kiernan's scalawags might take issue with the term "performance." To ask the deckhands of "The Black Prince," there was nothing artificial about the buccaneers who led landlubbers around the river. Barba Grasa has learned pirate songs and has helped choreograph jigs with which to entertain travelers, and is quick to tell you that if not for Capt. Long Reach — er, Kiernan — he'd still be marooned on a deserted island waiting for help. "We all have our own background stories," said Barba Grasa, whose alter ego is Morse junior Zack French. "It's a great experience (for our customers) because you get new pirates every time." Barba Grasa, whose name roughly translates to "fat beard" in a mishmash of European languages, said the pirates have enjoyed "a pretty full ship every trip" during the five-day festival. The ship was slated to launch from the city's Waterfront Park every half hour for five hours each afternoon from Saturday through Tuesday, with additional two-hour adult "grog" parties at 7 p.m. every day of Heritage Days. The commitment to the pirate life isn't stranded on The Black Prince during these long summer days. According to Morse senior Frankie Jellis — who takes on the persona of either an Irish, Russian or Spanish pirate depending on her mood— the Kennebec raiders don't necessarily trade in their eye patches and scabbards when they step back onto firm ground. "We've forged some really great friendships through the cruises," said Jellis. "We've had pirate parties on our own time and have gotten together to watch pirate movies." Jellis explained that the pirates, most of whom have drama experience at Morse, plan to don the swashbuckling attire Friday night to the movie theater for the release of the second "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. With pirates already strong in the imaginations of children, the added Hollywood exposure can only improve on what's already been strong attendance on Kiernan's pirate cruises. "I think that definitely helps because I don't think there's anybody in America that's not excited about the new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie," said Jellis. Though Kiernan's Pirate Cruises won't depart with as much frequency now that Heritage Days has ended, he still plans to run family tours from downtown Wiscasset at 4:30 p.m. daily from Thursday through Monday and adult tours at 7 p.m. on weekend nights. And Capt. Long Reach won't hesitate to make it worth his customers' while to take on the pirate's life with the same conviction as Jellis, French and their mates. Adults who show up for the "grog tours" in pirate garb get a discount on the admission price. "It's really a floating theatrical performance that we do," said Kiernan. For more information, call 888-538-6786 or visit www.longreachcruises.com.

July 7, 2005 - Pirates Raid Wiscasset!

Pirates Invade Wiscasset! Capt. Longreach and crew Tuesday afternoon at about 3 p.m., an ominous-looking ship appeared lurking at the mouth of Wiscasset Harbor. As she slowly made her way up the river it became clear that the black and red sailing vessel was no ordinary ship, but a Pirate Ship, and it was bearing right towards town! Tall and sleek, the Black Prince slowly navigated to the Town Landing, the Jolly Rodger proudly flying at the top of its mainsail. As it neared the dock, its crew of buccaneers could be seen lining the decks, and their captain, the infamous pirate Capt. Longreach himself, could be heard commanding his crew to be on the lookout for anything that looks like treasure. Once the Black Prince was tied up at the dock, it immediately gathered a small crown of curious and skeptical onlookers. As Capt. Longreach (a/k/a Mike Kiernan, owner of Longreach Cruises) stepped off the ship, he proceeded to tell his the curious crowd that he and his crew were coming to Wiscasset after spending the weekend pirating and plundering off the coast of Bath. Pointing to the tattered remains of his sails, he proceeded to entertain the crowd with stories of high seas adventures. Look at me sails, Mateys, he snarled, They be all so tattered by cannon and musket shot during the fierce battles weve seen that theyre now little more than black threads! When asked what his purpose was in coming to Wiscasset, Capt. Longreach replied, Ive decided to bring me ship and me crew here sos we can lie low for a spell, maybe relax a bit in this pretty little town. He went on to add, Besides, theres a tale that a long lost treasure chest is lying at the bottom of the harbor, and we aim to find it, if it takes all summer, Mate! After offering his solemn Pirates Oath not to Shanghai any of the passengers who boarded the Black Prince, Capt. Longreach and his crew (including Barnaby Coast Bart and the infamous Pandora) proceeded to give the crowd a tour of his vessel. Members of Wiscassets Waterfront Committee were joined by town officials and various community leaders in seeing first-hand the Black Prince, and treated to a short tour around Wiscasset Harbor. As the cruise continued, Capt. Longreach explained to all on board how Black Prince will be giving family Pirate Adventure cruises around the harbor, taking children of all ages to look for the long-lost treasure at the bottom of the harbor. While at sea, his crew of lively and talented mates will be regaling passengers with pirate tales and entertaining them with pirate songs and sea shanties. Everyone who has taken the tour thus far has commented that this is going to be a huge hit among families, Kiernan reported, adding that and we are having a wonderful time as well. By far this is the most fun Ive had in all my years of running successful charter cruise services. The pleasure of seeing the children dressed in their pirate eye patches and swords and fake moustaches, all wide-eyed with excitement, is just beyond description. In addition, he explained, the Black Prince will be offering adults longer sunset cruises which will venture to the tip of Westport Island and back. Last week, at our first adult cruise, we had more than half of the adults on board dressed as pirates and having a really fun time! The Black Prince will be moored in Wiscasset Harbor throughout the summer, and can be seen prowling the harbor Thursdays through Sundays, taking children of all ages to look for treasure and adventure. For ticket information and cruise times, they can be reached at 888-538-6786, or by visiting their web site, at www.longreachcruises.com. If you call, dont be surprised if your call is answered with an Aaaargh, Matey! After all, theyre only pirates!

March 2005

We are pleased to announce that Maine Boats & Harbors Magazine has recognized the SAGADAHOC as one of its "boats of the year 2004" in the march Issue of the magazine.

Thank you to all of our crew & vendors who helped make this recognition possible.

You can download a copy of the article by clicking here

About.com Article Oct. '04

About.com Foliage Cruise Article Oct '04

Attend the Conference

Come and learn more about the Kennebec Historic Waterway!

2004 Maine Foliage Reports!

Foliage Reports for Maine. Click HERE to get the latest foliage reports for Maine.

Join us for a fabulous fall foliage cruise!

September 19, 2004

Midweek R&R at Sebago Lake

Reprint permission granted by author

By Diane Daniel, Globe Correspondent | September 19, 2004

NAPLES, Maine -- For more than a decade, I had been heedlessly driving past the exit sign for Sebago Lake as I headed farther north up the Maine Turnpike or straight to Portland, about 20 minutes southeast. It wasn't until friends from Vermont decided to meet there in August for a bicycle trip that I explored the region.

What a great experience it was.

We met at Sebago Lake State Park, a large area with 250 campsites and several beaches. The main day-use beach, Songo, has a large roped-off swimming area, snack bar, and changing rooms. After our weeklong bike trip, I stayed on for a couple of days' rest, relaxation, and a little more cycling.

I enjoy visiting areas I consider family friendly, especially when I'm alone, because they are generally casual, affordable, and lively. The communities around Sebago Lake are like that.

The tourist activity on land is concentrated in the small town of Naples, a 2-hour drive from Boston. In the early 1900s, Naples was where the rich Portland folks summered. The Naples causeway, lined with restaurants, cafes, and gift shops, sits between Long Lake and Brandy Pond, both just north of Sebago.

The real action takes place on the water, probably too much action for my taste on the weekends, from what locals told me. I visited midweek, and one day was cloudy and windy with a little rain, leaving the lake probably as quiet as it ever gets in the summer. Often, fishing and ski and cigarette boats and personal watercraft can fill the air with a constant buzz. Lake noise has become a big issue, so I must have lucked out.

The other thrill here is the manually operated Songo Lock and the swing bridge that leads to it. The Songo River is a short stream that connects Long Lake/Brandy Pond to Sebago Lake. The lock, operated seasonally, is now part of the Maine state park system.

In 1830, a canal was built to carry lumber from the area. Until rail travel arrived in 1869, dozens of canal boats moved through here, some towed by horses and oxen. The Songo Lock is what remains of a 28-lock system constructed in the canal to compensate for the 260-foot difference in elevation between Sebago Lake and sea level.

It's a treat for all ages to hang out next to the lock's small holding area while it fills with all sorts of recreational boats, from motorboats to kayaks and personal watercraft, each paying $3 to get through one way. The mood is generally boisterous as passengers wait for the water level to fall or rise. The lock tender uses elbow grease to work the crank attached to a gear system that operates a valve in the lock. Once the water is at the right level, the tender opens the gate by pushing on a large wooden beam -- often with the assistance of onlookers. Near the lock is a snack bar with, I believe, the world's best BLT.

If you don't own a boat or some form of Jet Ski, there are several places that rent them, or you can let someone else do the driving.

Naples is the base for two seasonal boat tours. The old-timer is the Songo River Queen II, a replica of a Mississippi River stern paddle wheeler. The River Queen is beautiful and nostalgic, but it's also slow and doesn't go onto Sebago Lake. It does go through the lock, a highlight for passengers, and then turns around.

I chose to catch a ride with the newcomer, Long Reach Cruises, because I wanted to go out onto the lake. The Bath-based company started operating out of Naples in late July. Its boat, which holds about 40 passengers, is run by water jet, and can cruise up and down the 45-square-mile lake (Maine's second-largest, after Moosehead) in a few hours. We started in Brandy Pond, just south of the causeway, and passed beautiful scenery before reaching the lock. Some leaves were turning early, and I could only imagine how stunning the view would be during foliage season.

Once on the remarkably uncrowded lake, we passed between the state park and Thompson Point, a favorite spot for salmon fishing, and headed south. We passed overdeveloped Frye Island and its ferry to the mainland. Heading back north, we idled at Frye's Leap, a scenic rock and popular fishing area, zipped passed Dingley Islands, and soon were back in line for the lock.

I did my own boating as well, when I tooled around in a two-person paddle boat out on Thomas Pond, a few miles northeast of Sebago Lake. I was using the boat where I stayed, at the low-key Alyssa's Motel. They have a canoe for use as well, and a small dock where guests can fish. There are picnic tables, one screened in, on the small lawn next to a wooded area. In the woods is "Inspiration Rock," said to be where Portland native Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once sat. It's marked as "the boyhood wilderness chair" of Nathaniel Hawthorne, who spent part of his summers in nearby Raymond. (The family home still stands on Raymond Cape Road.)

If you're immune to traffic sounds, Alyssa's, on Route 302, is a great place to stay. But I couldn't relax, so on the last day I moved up the road to Windham and up in price to Sebago Lake Lodge & Cottages. Sitting between Jordan Bay and Sebago Lake Basin, it was the perfect spot for my final evening. Here, too, guests can use nonmotorized boats free, or rent fishing and ski boats.

The large wraparound porch at the main lodge has hanging flower baskets and rockers, and the grounds are lovely and not overly manicured. Longtime owners Chip and Debra Lougee are some of the friendliest innkeepers I've met. But what sold me was the private screened porch off every unit. I toasted the lake from my upstairs, bug-free perch and vowed to return.

August 29, 2004

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Tourists discover hidden gem on river cruise

By MARTIN McKENNA,

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WEB SITE: www.longreachcruises.com
TELEPHONE: 888-538-6786

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BATH Cruising between the rugged banks of the lower Kennebec River, it is easy to see why settlers chose the gently sloping Long Reach nearly 12 miles upriver to build their houses in the spot that would become the bustling shipbuilding city of Bath. But the inhospitality of the lower river's sharp edges gave it one advantage that today draws sightseers - the shoreline is nearly as wild as it was two centuries ago.

Along its course, the lower Kennebec is dotted with a half-dozen lighthouses that guide ships safely upriver through the treacherous ledges, islands and currents to Bath, where the newly refitted tour boat Sagadahoc ties up to the dock at the Maine Maritime Museum. The lighthouses and natural beauty of the Kennebec make the lower stretch the most popular of Long Reach Cruises excursions from Bath, said its owner, Mike Kiernan.

The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath has offered tours for many years. In Kiernan, a long-time museum supporter and former city councilor, the museum connected with an entrepreneur willing to invest considerable money in upgrading the tourist infrastructure on the river. He established Long Reach Cruises five years ago, first bringing to the river a high-speed passenger boat, the Culebra, whose previous duty was on the Snake River in Idaho.

This season Kiernan brought into service the Sagadahoc, a 50-foot former Navy utility vessel he bought at surplus auction and refitted last winter. The ship, whose last duty was ferrying as many as 146 seamen at a time across Pearl Harbor, today is new from the hull up. The purchase price of just under $20,000 was less than the cost of transporting the ship to Bath, he said. Over the winter, engaging local contractors, Kiernan spent at least as much as the $200,000 the Navy spent to have the ship built in 1991.

The Sagadahoc, which can accommodate 64 passengers, is modeled on a 1920s-era steamship launch, Kiernan said, though it is modern in every respect, including a bathroom and a snack bar that offers beer and wine. Of particular benefit to sightseers is the sound system, whose many speakers clearly broadcast Kiernan's narration as the Sagadahoc churns down the Kennebec.

The boat has a canvas top and clear plastic curtains that are rolled up in fair weather and dropped down when the air cools in the fall. September through early October is the busiest season, when the blue of the Kennebec's water contrasts with the blazing foliage crowding the banks, making for a spectacular display of color, Kiernan said.

Two years ago, Long Reach Cruises signed on as Maine Maritime Museum's contract tour boat operator, giving Kiernan access to tourists who visit the museum. Visitors get a discount if they buy a Long Reach tour as part of their $9.75 adult admission (seniors and children pay less). The museum's Web site (www.bathmaine.com) details the many cruises it offers on the Sagadahoc, from trips upriver to view bald eagles on Merrymeeting Bay, to the rough passage to Seguin Island beyond the mouth of the Kennebec, to jazz and champagne sunset cruises on Saturday evenings.

The Sagadahoc is as big as any tour boat Maine Maritime Museum has contracted with in the past, but not too big, said Tom Wilcox, executive director.

"The waterways around here are kind of intimate," Wilcox said. Unlike an ocean cruise, a tour along the rock-bound coast of the Kennebec and other passages such as the Back River puts the natural beauty right in front of visitors.

Before Kiernan secured the Maine Maritime Museum contract, the Culebra docked at the city's public landing downtown. The Sagadahoc still stops at the city landing to pick up passengers who have made reservations on the company's Web site (www.longreachcruises.com) or just hoping the boat is not full. The Sagadahoc's schedule fits with the museum's, allowing a broad range of museum-sponsored tours, plus additional tours and charters that depart from the city dock.

In the 1990s, as a member of the Bath City Council, Kiernan became aware that Bath was missing an attraction that would draw tourists to its downtown waterfront. At the time he was also deputy director of the Maine State Housing Authority in Augusta, to which he occasionally commuted on the Kennebec.

On those upriver commutes, Kiernan would see dozens of bald eagles, which he realized could be a tremendous draw for tourists. About five years ago all the pieces came together for Kiernan to combine his love of the sea with his occupation. He quit his job and bought the Culebra.

For a city working to establish itself as a unique destination, Long Reach Cruises has been a welcome addition, said John Bubier, city manager. The Culebra, a jet boat, was fun, Bubier said, but the Sagadahoc, with its clean lines and steamship appearance, fits better with the image Bath wants to convey.

"It's the kind of boat where you can kick back and relax and talk to one another," said Bubier.

The Culebra is now doing duty for Long Reach Cruises on Sebago Lake and the Songo Locks.

Kiernan has bought a second 50-foot Navy surplus boat, which was not part of his original plan. But last year as he toured Navy surplus yards in Florida, Alabama, California, Virginia and Louisiana, he realized there were not many such ships left, so he bought the vessel in a sense to archive it, he said. Next winter he plans to refit the second boat and put it in service for tours in another secondary market, perhaps Bangor or Bucksport.

Bath is considered a secondary tourist market largely because of its awkward access, said Bubier. Northbound visitors can easily miss the single downtown off-ramp from U.S. Route 1, and if they do, they find themselves across the Kennebec River trying to find a place to turn around. Until the Maine Department of Transportation moves on its plan to improve highway access to Bath, the City of Ships will be hindered in attracting tourists, Bubier said.

(Maine Maritime Museum is easy to find. Take the downtown Bath exit, turn right at the light on Washington Street, travel south roughly a mile along the river. The museum is located on the sprawling grounds of the former Percy & Small Shipyard and clearly marked.)

Bath is a natural jumping-off place for tourists, Bubier said, and the reason is the Kennebec River. It was a highway to Canada for American Indians long before Europeans founded the Popham Colony at its mouth in 1607. The long reach on which the city of Bath grew was a bustling port in the heyday of wooden ships.

A century ago, steamships carrying passengers were so abundant on the Kennebec that an alarmed U.S. Congress appropriated money to improve safety on the river. The four lighthouses south of Bath - Doubling Point, the Range Lights, Squirrel Point and Perkins Island - were all built in 1898 from that appropriation.

Today, boat traffic on the Kennebec is a shade of its former self, with the occasional fisherman angling for striped bass or a pleasure craft headed for a private dock. The osprey and eagles have returned, however, and herons pick at the mud, terns dive for minnows, and harbor seals bask on the rocks.

The mouth of the Kennebec, however, is still a busy people place. It has both a sense of history - rotting pilings of an old steamship dock and scarred Fort Popham - and a feel of the present, with bathers romping on the beach and pleasure boats crisscrossing the water.

The Kennebec is a hidden gem, Kiernan said. On the return trip upriver, his narration finished, Kiernan put away the microphone and turned on the jazz of Dave Brubeck, allowing passengers to discover that for themselves.

Martin McKenna is a free-lance writer who lives in Brunswick.

July 23, 2004

For Immediate Release

July 23, 2004

NAPLES

Captain Mike Kiernan is pleased to announce the expansion of Long Reach Cruises and the opening of our NEW location in the Lakes Region of Maine on the Causeway, route #302 in Naples, Maine (behind Evergreen Credit Union).

Long Reach Cruises will provide Scenic Lake Tours and group charters on Long & Sebago Lakes through Mid-October.

We operate a unique and environmentally friendly 49 passenger WATER JET boat that is well suited to operate along the scenic waterways of the lakes region and through the Songo River & Lock system.

With our NEW and larger vessel in Bath, we are pleased to be able to bring the JET BOAT CULEBRA to the lakes region of Maine.

Our daily schedule of scenic cruises will include:

10am - Departure for the Songo River & Locks & Big Sebago sightseeing cruise.

1:45pm & 5:45pm Departure for the Long Lake Cruise & Water-Taxi Service to lakeside destinations.

4:30pm Brandy Pond quickie 30 minute cruise.

Ticket prices range from $5 to $30 depending on the Cruise.

Tickets may be purchased ONBOARD the boat and no reservations are required!

For more information readers can visit our website at: www.longreachcruises.com

June 29, 2004

For Immediate Release June 29, 2004 JAZZ on the Kennebec BATH Capt. Mike Kiernan and Long Reach Cruises are pleased to announce JAZZ cruises on the Kennebec Historic Waterway beginning Saturday July 3 and continuing through Labor Day Weekend. Cruises will depart from the Maine Maritime Museum at 6:30pm on Saturdays. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested CALL 1-888-538-6786. Featuring JAZZ Guitarist Gary Wittner who has delighted audiences of all ages in performances throughout the USA and worldwide, these leisurely cruises will provide and opportunity to enjoy LIVE JAZZ while cruising the scenic Kennebec Waterway. This is a perfect opportunity to bring your friends or sweetheart out for a unique and memorable evening of great music and enjoyment for all. I am thrilled to be able to bring a world-class musician to entertain residents and visitors alike. Our NEW tour boat SAGADAHOC is the perfect setting for enjoying Maines great outdoors while listening to some great JAZZ music, Said Capt. Mike. Refreshments are available onboard and the scenery is FREE! Information is available online at: www.longreachcruises.com Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased in advance by calling 1-888-538-6786 or onboard. For Further Information Contact: Capt. Mike Kiernan Long Reach Cruises 870 Washington Street Bath, ME 04530 207-442-0092 captmike@longreachcruises.com www.longreachcruises.com www.garywittner.com

May 14, 2004

Local Shipyard Breathes New Life Into Former Navy Launch Daniel Fayen

The Sagadahoc From Pearl Harbor to Boothbay Harbor. Last Wednesday afternoon, May 5, the Sagadahoc, a former U.S. Navy launch, slides gracefully into the Damariscotta River in East Boothbay. (Photo Daniel Fayen) The state of Maine possesses a proud history and well-deserved reputation for building ships and providing top-notch maritime craftsmanship. This tradition heartily continues in the Boothbay area's boatyards and local independent boat-builders. The refitting of the Sagadahoc, a 50-foot-long former U.S. Navy launch, by the Southport Island Marine bears proof of the vibrancy of quality boat craftsmanship in the area. The masterful refitting work of the Sagadahoc met with an appreciative reception by a small audience at the vessel's launching on Wednesday, May 5 in East Boothbay. The vessel's proud owner Captain Mike Kiernan, of Bath's Long Reach Adventure Cruises, smiled broadly as he witnessed the fruition of a project that entailed bringing the beautiful craft "halfway around the world" to add to his established excursion fleet. Captain Kiernan contracted Southport Island Marine to refit the newly acquired Sagadahoc to accommodate vacationers here to see the assets of the Maine coast. The overhaul of the Sagadahoc was extensive; including work on the vessel's fuel, electrical, electronics and steering systems, constructing a working kitchen and snack bar and refinishing the entire boat stem to stern. Adding additional challenge for Southport Island Marine's owner, Douglas Goldhirsch and his talented staff, to the task was a tight three-month deadline to complete the Sagadahoc's refitting. Goldhirsch expressed appreciation for the Long Reach Adventure firm which sought his boatyard for the task, and attested an admiration for the vessel's beautiful design. Goldhirsch acquired the Southport boatyard nearly four years (May 18) ago from native Southporter David Nutt. Southport Island Marine provides a wide variety of boat yard services, specializing in boat building and yacht finishing. The yard proudly builds the "top of the line" Southport 30 motor yacht. The Southport 30, originally designed by Southporter Everett Barlow and later modified by Nutt, displays stately Downeast lines and is an ideal vessel for recreational boating or as a stable and sturdy work boat. Goldhirsch, a Webb Institute trained naval architect, attested to the Sagadahoc's similar suitability to Maine's water challenges. The Sagadahoc will soon prove its mettle as an excursion vessel run by Captain Kiernan's Long Reach Adventure Cruises based at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. Kiernan traced the Sagadahoc's history as a former Navy helicopter carrier launch and from 1996-2001 the vessel ferried sailors across Hawaii's Pearl Harbor. Kiernan purchased the stout 50-foot launch at a Navy auction in San Diego last year; then "trucked" her across the country to Southport. Kiernan looks forward to this summer and providing rewarding nature and historic theme tours aboard the Sagadahoc along the mid-coast. Kiernan, with the addition of the Sagadahoc, plans to recreate the bygone era of the 1920s on the coast of Maine, when steam launch ferries ubiquitously plied these waters with a departed sense of grace. Boothbay area residents will have ample opportunity to admire the Sagadahoc as she will make frequent regular cruises through the area. Kiernan, a life-long inveterate lover of the sea, honed his nautical skills cruising the Boston harbor islands as a youth. He is in his fifth year of running Long Reach Adventure Cruises. He gave high praise for the City of Bath in their support of his operation in their commitment to the revitalization of Bath's waterfront. "I have the best job in the world," said Kiernan. The Sagadahoc's official christening happens this Saturday, May 15 at noon at the Maine Maritime Museum. Following the christening will be a two-hour lighthouse cruise of the Kennebec. Tickets for the cruise are $50, with proceeds going to the music programs of Bath's public schools, and to the campaign to construct a sculpture of the schooner Wyoming on the property of the Maine Maritime Museum. For more information on the Sagadahoc and Long Reach Cruises, call Captain Kiernan at (207) 442-0092 or (888) 538-6786. More information on Southport Island Marine can be obtained by calling (207) 633-6009.

May 13th, 2004

Long Reach Cruises launching new tour boat in Bath

Christopher_Cousins@TimesRecord.Com 05/12/2004

Special to Business

BATH - Last year, for the first time since he began hosting excursion cruises up and down the Kennebec River three years ago, Mike Kiernan began to turn a profit. Now he's sunk tens of thousands of dollars into his business, Long Reach Cruises, in hopes that it will continue to float. Kiernan first launched the venture with the purchase of a 40-foot shallow-water jet boat he called Culebra - which he claimed was one-of-a-kind on the East Coast. Now, with the purchase of two former Navy vessels which will be refitted to recall 1920s-era steam-powered vessels of yesteryear, Kiernan is again talking one-of-a-kind ... or make that two-of-a-kind. "My goal is to build an awareness of Bath as a tourist destination." Mike Kiernan - Long Reach Cruises The Culebra, meanwhile, has been taken to western Maine where it will begin an excursion schedule on Long and Sebago lakes. The two new boats - one of which was refurbished over the winter and launched into the water last week - will allow Kiernan to expand his business to Boothbay Harbor and points beyond. Each of the new boats have twice the capacity of the Culebra and have been designed with amenities which should increase the enjoyment for Capt. Kiernan's customers. For now, though, Bath is where the focus is. "My goal is to build an awareness of Bath as a tourist destination," said Kiernan. "That was the original idea before acquiring the Culebra. I found I needed a different type of boat for that mission because the mission has evolved." City Manager John Bubier said Kiernan's venture - which will be joined this summer by a second tour boat company in Bath - benefits several goals, including providing another form of transportation in an area where water travel is often quicker and much shorter than using an automobile. Christening Ceremony What: Christening ceremony for the passenger vessel Sagadahoc, the newest vessel operated by Long Reach Cruises. When: 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 15. Boarding and inspection of the vessel will begin at 10:45 a.m. Where: The dock at Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. Sponsor: Miss Kathleen A. Kiernan of Bath. Other details: The Sagadahoc will have its inaugural tour immediately following the christening. This two-hour lighthouse cruise is a fund-raising event to benefit the Bath school system music programs and the construction of the Wyoming sculpture on museum grounds. Tickets for the cruise are $50 apiece. A regular cruise schedule begins on Memorial Day. More information: Construction information and photos are posted online at www.longreachmarinegroup.net "I hope he's extremely successful," said Bubier. "Anything he does is a draw to this area." The new vessel, which other than its shape bears little resemblance to its appearance in the military, will be christened on Saturday as the passenger vessel Sagadahoc. The Sagadahoc was acquired by the Navy in 1991 to serve as a launch and multipurpose utility boat for the USS Essex, an aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1992. After parting ways with the Essex, the Sagadahoc was used in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a personnel transport ship. Now that its military days are over, its mission is to be the primary tour boat for Maine Maritime Museum. The Sagadahoc will also be used for a variety of island, river and Casco Bay cruises. The second vessel which is identical to the Sagadahoc but older, will be refitted and refurbished over the coming winter, if everything goes as planned, said Kiernan. That vessel, procured by the Navy in 1986, spent its service life assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, another aircraft carrier. This vessel will be called the Pharos. Kiernan purchased the boats, which are both made of fiberglass, at government auction. By the time both projects are complete, he will have invested nearly what they cost the Navy: more than $200,000 apiece. The Sagadahoc, 50 feet long with a 15-foot beam, can be operated on bio-diesel fuel and cruises at 12 to 16 knots. It weighs about 12 tons. Kiernan has painted over the Sagadahoc's "Navy gray" exterior and stripped the inside down to its hull. He's added seats, a restroom, a galley for food and drinks, a karaoke stereo system, heat and a canvas top to counteract the cold and damp. Most of the work was done by Kiernan and his employees and the craftsmen at Southport Island Marine, a boatbuilding business that usually constructs 30-foot lobster boats. "We had the time to do it and it was a good project to keep us going," said owner Douglas Goldhirsch, who has been involved in boat building for more than 25 years but has never worked on a Navy vessel. "If it's what he wants, we'd definitely be interested in working on the other one." The "steam vessel" theme of the project was developed between Kiernan and Jason Morin, manager of education for Maine Maritime Musuem. "The museum has offered cruises for at least 10 years," said Morin. "We consider it value added for the museum's visitors. They can tour our facility and then hop on board." For Kiernan, the new vessels are just another chapter in the story of his love for the ocean, which began when he was a young boy. He's served as a captain for the Coast Guard and has been a boating enthusiast for his entire life. "I have a great love of the ocean and the water, and I'm very interested in maritime history," he said, minutes after the Sagadahoc first hit the water. "This is a great opportunity to share that with the public. It's very rewarding to see it floating with fresh paint. I can't want to finish it up and see it full of passengers."

April 25, 2004

Announcement

BATH - Capt. Mike Kiernan is pleased to announce that a christening of the Passenger Vessel SAGADAHOC will occur at noon on May 15, 2004 at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath.

The public is invited to join in the celebration to welcome this new tour vessel to the Kennebec River and its new home port of Bath. Residents of Bath and invited guests can visit the museum FREE for this event which will open at 10:45am with boarding and inspection of the vessel by the public while enjoying live music on the fitting out pier.

At 11:30am our program begins with remarks by various dignitaries and appreciation to all of those who helped build this new tour vessel.

The christening will occur at noon. The vessels sponsor is Miss Kathleen A. Kiernan of Bath.

Immediately following the christening, the inaugural cruise of the Sagadahoc will begin. This two-hour lighthouse viewing cruise is a FUNDRAISING event, all proceeds to benefit the music programs in Bath Schools and the capital campaign to construct the Wyoming sculpture on the museum grounds. Tickets are $50.00 per person and can be purchased in advance by calling Long Reach Cruises at 442-0092. Cruise is limited to 50 persons, so purchase your tickets for this special event early.

You can view the construction of the vessel at a special website: www.longreachmarinegroup.net

Captain Mike stated, I am pleased to be able to bring this new vessel to Bath and contribute to the quality of life in our community by sharing the history and natural wonders of the Kennebec Historic Waterway with both visitors and residents. This will be a wonderful enhancement to both the museum visitors experience and the membership as well as an added attraction to downtown Bath.

The regular cruise season will begin on Memorial Day & on weekends until late June when daily excursions will continue through Labor Day.

Come and join our celebration on May 15th!

January 21, 2004

Long Reach 50' "Sagadahoc" construction underway!

Today we began the process of converting a former Navy Launch into our "NEW" 64 passenger tour boat!

Click on our LINK to see the progress of our project.

October 14, 2003

Long Reach Cruises welcomes 10,000 passengers!

BATH Capt. Mike Kiernan is pleased to announce that Long Reach Cruises has served over 10,000 passengers.

Since we opened in May of 2000 as the Kennebec Jet Boat, our crew has enjoyed working to provide visitors and residents alike a unique and pleasant experience to view the scenic wonders and historic places along the Kennebec Historic Waterway.

On Saturday October 11^th, we welcomed aboard our 10,000^th passenger to enjoy our scenic & fall foliage cruises.

Long Reach Cruises provides scenic cruises, wildlife & lighthouse viewing opportunities along the Kennebec Historic Waterway and coastal areas of Maine from Casco Bay to the Boothbay Region. Ports of Call include; Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner, Richmond, Bowdoinham, Bath, Popham Beach, Seguin Island, Wiscasset, Five Islands, Boothbay Harbor and more

I am pleased that our cruise business has helped to bring more activity and recognition to our Home Port at Baths waterfront and downtown areas over the last four seasons, said Capt. Mike, I am hopeful that more people will recognize the wonderful opportunities for recreation and cultural heritage activities along the scenic Kennebec Waterway and can join us as we explore the culturally rich and historic riverfront communities and discover the Real Maine.

In 2003 the Maine Legislature recognized the importance of encouraging more recreational and cultural use of the lower Kennebec River by designating it the Kennebec Historic Waterway. Plans are being developed to make the waterway more accessible to the public.

Cruises continue this fall until October 19^th. Call 207-442-0092 or visit www.longreachcruises.com for cruise schedules and information.

July 19th, 2003

Whales Sighted! During our 2pm Boothbay Lights Cruise today, we sighted two PILOT WHALES off of Cuckholds Light! *** DEER CROSSING! On last Monday's Kennebec Lights Cruise, we were surprised to find a young buck swimming just below Fiddler's Reach. He was apparently crossing from the Arrowsic side to the Phippsburg side of the Kennebec River. We were happy to escort him across and help him avoid being hit by other boats transiting the area.

April 2003

Kennebec Historic Waterway: a river that links us all

By Pat Colwell, Times Record Contributor

Taking nothing away from the other great rivers of this state, the Kennebec has always been my favorite river. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to sneak out of a legislative meeting to cast for striped bass and I've actually done it a few times, during breaks. The river that rises from Moosehead Lake, and flows through Caratunk and Solon, Skowhegan and Waterville, Augusta and Hallowell and on to Bath and Popham to the sea, is one of the wonders of Maine, and perhaps the most historic river in the Northeast. When I was growing up in Gardiner, though, it wasn't a pretty sight, and it didn't smell very good. Wastes from municipal sewers and paper and textile mills fouled the water, and the log drives kept even the boaters away. The river that had sent ice and sardines around the world was an embarrassment, something we turned our backs on. Then, under the leadership of Ed Muskie, first as governor, then as a U.S. senator, we passed laws to clean up the Kennebec and rivers around the country.

The Legislature ended log driving in 1976. Four years ago, the Edwards Dam in Augusta was removed, opening another 17 miles of the Kennebec to sea-run fish. The benefits for fishing, boating and wildlife have been spectacular. Yet bringing the river back hasn't brought all the people back. Some of my oldest constituents have been telling me we really haven't taken advantage of the revived river the way we ought to. Ben Marley, who was 95 when he passed away a few weeks ago, told me that the river was a source of great joy for him, but that we need to have some economic development along the river without spoiling it. He was right, and that led to my bill to establish the Kennebec Historic Waterway. What makes this river unique is not only its great beauty and its great fishing but the sense of history you get whenever you're out on it. This is where Benedict Arnold began his incredible march to Quebec at the start of the Revolution. It's where Fort Western became the first permanent inland settlement in what is now Augusta. It's the site of the Pownalborough Courthouse in Dresden, where colonial trials were held, and the historic Coburn House in Pittston. Yet just as we haven't fully exploited in the best sense the great recreational resources of the river, we haven't linked up the historical sites into a trail that could bring visitors here from around the country. I love the river, but I'd also like to share it with more people, and we can do that without spoiling it. The many historic downtowns along the river aren't yet the thriving places they ought to be.

The waterway bill is a place to start. It directs the Department of Conservation to begin coordinating with other state agencies to evaluate public lands along the river and how they can be linked both for those on the water and those who follow the river on land. From Fort Halifax in Winslow to the coastal islands at the river's mouth, there are wonderful places the public already owns but few know much about.

Swan Island in Richmond, owned by the state, is one of those secrets. It could be an overnight stop for groups canoeing and kayaking down the river, and the historic houses on this old island community are another attraction. Local historic preservation groups are now trying to stabilize these 18th century structures, and the state can coordinate its efforts with them. One of the exciting things at the hearing on the bill was the enthusiasm of those who have their own projects along the river and see the potential of what can be achieved together.

Convervation Commissioner Pat McGowan is pleased to have his department taking the lead. There's not a lot of money around the State House at the moment, and we're not asking for much; but it's the power of the idea that has caught people's imaginations. There have been some commercial ventures along the Kennebec a boat trip and a train ride that haven't worked out as their sponsors had hoped. I'm sure this has nothing to do with the attractions of the river, but because the Kennebec is not yet a name, and a region, that people identify as a place they have to see. It will take a few years, but we can start changing that right now.

The Kennebec Historic Waterway can help Mainers see this as a river that unites rather than divides them, and it can create a more vibrant future for this priceless asset in the heart of our great state.

Pat Colwell is speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. He represents District 91 in the Gardiner area and also served as a committee chair and House Majority Leader.