We offer passenger service from Rockland, Maine to Matinicus Island, Maine and Criehaven Island
The owner and United States Coast Guard licensed master captain is George Tarkleson of Matinicus. Captain Paul Tarkleson is our other captain. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy and has worked around the world on many different vessels. Martin O’Mara is our first mate.
Our boat is the Robin R. The Robin R is a 35 foot Mitchell Cove lobster boat design with an extended cabin. There is very comfortable inside heated seating for 16 and outside seating for 6. The Robin R is certified by the United States Coast Guard to carry 16 passengers. She can make the trip from Matinicus to Rockland in 60 minutes. The Robin R is equipped with: 2 radars, two global positioning systems, 2 VHF marine radios, emergency locating transponder, 2 life rafts, defibrillator (AED) and a cellular phone with a wireless booster. There is also a bathroom on board
DEPARTURE TIME - I try to leave on time. If you are running late, please call me. Because I often have other trips scheduled that day and I have to go with the tides, I reserve the right to cancel your reservation with no refunds given if you are late. Please be on the dock at least 30 minutes before departure time. Remember to allow lots of extra time if you are coming from Portland. Wiscasset traffic can be terrible!
FIREWORKS - Fireworks of any kind are not allowed on the boat. The Coast Guard does not allow them and they are a fire hazard on Matinicus.
PACKING - Please have everything in a box or suitcase. Garbage bags rip. Banana boxes are the best way to pack your food and everything else. Have your name marked prominently on all your boxes. Please do not bring groceries in plastic bags! They rip easily and are hard to pack. The rugged large bags with handles are OK. Please do not have any box, bag or suitcase that weighs over 40 pounds. If you have trouble lifting it, so do we. We are not responsible for any damage to baggage or freight brought on board.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS - Trips will be cancelled if I feel it is unsafe to depart. If a trip is cancelled and you have paid in advance, all payments will be refunded, or you can have it applied another trip. If you have any questions about the weather, please contact us. I will try to contact you as soon as the decision has been made. Usually, I can take you the next day , as long as the weather improves.
DEPARTURE POINTS - In Rockland, we load and unload at Journey's End Marina. The marina is located at 120 Tillson Avenue, near the end. Parking will be available at the marina for $20 a night. Allow yourself at least one hour to get parked and unloaded. On Matinicus we load and unload at the Steamboat Wharf.
PROCEDURE FOR UNLOADING IN ROCKLAND - Pull up to area in front of the main office. Unload gear near top of the ramp, being careful not to block the ramp. Walk across the street to the boating office and pay to park and get directions where to park. Park your vehicle. When I pull in to the dock, you can then carry your gear down to the boat.
DIRECTIONS TO JOURNEY'S END MARINA-
COMING FROM THE NORTH- (driving south on Route 1 from Belfast, Camden and Rockport ) Follow Route 1 South where it becomes one way traffic on Union Street just after the Dunkin Donuts. At the second traffic light next to Jaret and Cohn Real Estate, turn left onto Route 1 North (Park St). At the next traffic light there will be a Walgreens Pharmacy on the right: go straight through the light onto Park Drive. The Tradewinds Motel will be on your left. Then the Lighthouse Museum is on the right. Follow Park Drive along as it curves left and go to the stop sign. Hamilton Marine is on your left. Turn right onto Tillson Avenue and after one tenth of a mile you will arrive at the O'Hara Corporation and Journeys End Marina. The unloading area is on the left hand side of the road in front of the 2 story brick office building with a door saying O'Hara Corporation Office. Please see the following photos.
COMING FROM AUGUSTA ON ROUTE 17 - Follow Rt 17 until it runs into Route 1. A McDonald's restaurant will be on your left . Make a right hand turn and follow the directions above for coming from the north-
COMING FROM THE SOUTH - (driving north on Route 1 from Bath, Wiscasset and Thomaston) At the third traffic light in Rockland there will be a Walgreens Pharmacy on the right: go straight through the light onto Park Drive. The Tradewinds Motel will be on your left, then the Lighthouse Museum is on the right. Follow Park Drive along as it curves left and go to the stop sign. Hamilton Marine is on your right. Turn right onto Tillson Avenue and after one tenth of a mile you will arrive at the O'Hara Corporation and Journey's End Marine.The unloading area is on the left hand side of the road in front of the two story brick office building with a door saying O'Hara Corporation. Please see the following photos.
MAKE SURE TO ADD AT LEAST AN HOUR (or more) TO YOUR TRAVELING TIME IF GOING THROUGH WISCASSET !
