Boaters plan Passamaquoddy Bay flotilla

ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick – Some Canadian and U.S. mariners are planning a get-together the first weekend in July to celebrate the beauty of Passamaquoddy Bay and – for some – draw attention to anti-LNG efforts.

The second annual Sail-a-bration is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, July 2, and it begins with a meet-and-greet at East Quoddy Head Lighthouse on Campobello Island.

Plans call for the flotilla to be held at 2 p.m. It will include kayakers, canoeists, schooners, tugs, yachts, fishing boats and dinghies to sail the passage to Eastport. They will converge at the International Boundary to greet American friends and watch Passamaquoddy ceremonies.

In the event of bad weather, the day on the water will be held the next day.

Lesley Pinder, who is a physician in this border community, planned the celebration again this year.

Pinder expects that this year’s Sail-a-bration will contrast sharply with last year’s.

Last year’s event drew the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard, who informed Pinder that U.S. federal law prohibits a flotilla of 50 or more boats without a regatta- or marine-event permit issued by the Coast Guard. The permit must be submitted 135 days ahead of the event and is subject to approval of the Coast Guard.

This year, Pinder met that problem head-on. She submitted an application for a permit in January.

“I never heard back. No answer, no response,” she said.

Pinder said she was not concerned because Canadian mariners mostly will stay on their side of the bay. “What happens, the commercial fisheries boats, the lobstermen and what have you, they’ll just go up to the International Boundary line and sit there. Those who have smaller boats … will stay in the water and meander around. I don’t think we have to be completely on the Canadian side of the boundary lines because boats from both nations cruise back and forth. They come into my waters and tie up at aquaculture sites and fish all day,” she said.

Last year there were more than 50 boats. Pinder said she did not know how many there would be this year.

The boats are expected to be decorated. “Well, the people kept all of their [anti-LNG] banners, and if those people are coming back they’ll have their banners,” she said.

But even with the banners, Pinder said, the focus of the event is to draw attention to the positive aspects of the bay and have some fun.

Right now, two developers hope to site liquefied natural gas facilities in Washington County. The Oklahoma-based Quoddy LNG wants to build a facility at Split Rock at Pleasant Point with a tank farm in nearby Perry. The Washington, D.C.-based Downeast LNG hopes to build a facility in Robbinston.

The Sail-a-bration group has put up posters all over the bay.

Pinder said anyone who wishes to participate or needs more information should contact the Owen House at (506) 752-2977 or The Commons in Eastport at (207) 853-4123.