RawFaith sets sail from Rockland for Jonesport

ROCKLAND – Few have faith in George McKay’s homemade sailing ship RawFaith, but he has enough conviction to move the 100-foot wooden vessel in a windless sea.

On Wednesday, the sailing ship departed Rockland Harbor after nine months at a standstill. The U.S. Coast Guard issued a captain of the port order for the boat to stay put shortly after rescuing the vessel and its crew about 80 miles off the Maine coast Thanksgiving Day.

McKay built the homespun 16th century English race built galleon with plans to take people with disabilities on sailing adventures.

After a bit of trouble raising the sails Wednesday – which hadn’t been used since the top of a mast snapped and the rudder failed in rough weather last November – the massive, awkward-looking ship set sail around 6 p.m.

The ship moved so slowly at first that it seemed there was no wind.

It took the vessel nearly an hour to make its way beyond the breakwater from where it had been anchored, which meant the ship was traveling at about 1 knot. The wind was west-northwest inside the harbor and switched to the northeast past the breakwater. Earlier in the day, there was a breezy 15-knot wind. By the time RawFaith departed, the wind had subsided to about 5 knots.

The four-man crew, including McKay and his 16-year-old son, Robert, could be seen raising their arms to cheer as they hoisted the first sail.

When asked for his thoughts as the ship glided past Rockland Breakwater Light, McKay hollered back, “We’ll be a little more welcome in Jonesport.”

RawFaith’s arrival in Rockland last November brought controversy over whether the crew could live aboard the ship while anchored there. The city’s ordinance only allows “live-aboards” with the permission of the harbor master. There was particular concern for the safety of the crew traveling to and from the ship all winter. The city worked out an agreement with McKay that was never signed. But McKay did abide by the terms, according to Harbor Master Ed Glaser.

After the ship was towed to Rockland, the Coast Guard inspected the vessel and placed a captain of the port order on it, requiring certain repairs and improvements before it could move.

Earlier this week, the Coast Guard’s marine safety field office in Belfast took another look at RawFaith and McKay’s proposal to go to Jonesport to make further repairs.

McKay was given permission to sail to Jonesport under certain restrictions, such as not traveling more than 20 miles offshore. The ship will be reissued a captain of the port order when it arrives there.

“I think they couldn’t have picked a better day to leave,” Glaser said, noting the weather was clear and the forecast good for the next few days.

McKay hoped to make it to Jonesport in three days.

“I wish them well and Godspeed,” Glaser said.