Carvers Harbor

Marinas near Carvers Harbor

Introduction:

Carvers Harbor is located on the southwestern end of Vinalhaven Island east of Greens Island. Carvers Harbor is 30 miles southwest of Mount Desert Island and 32 miles northeast of Monhegan Island.

The image above is a view from the southwest looking northeast over the entrance to Carvers Harbor. Off to the left (northwest) is the edge of a rock outcropping spilling down into the water. This is Dodge Point. Off to the extreme lower right-hand (southeast) corner of the image is Potato Island (one of the two that can be seen), while off the image to the right (east) is Lane Island. Note the hundreds of lobster pot floats that are scattered across the entrance.

There are two marine service and marina facilities in Carvers Harbor and one of them accepts transient guests. Hopkins Boatyard can arrange for a transient slip with advance notice and has a repair staff on-site for mechanical in the water repairs. The Vinalhaven Fisherman’s Co-op does not accept transient guests, but depending on how many fisherman and lobsterman are tied up for the evening, you may be able to talk your way into a slip. There are about a hundred moorings in the harbor; see mooring flats for instructions.

History:

The first people known to visit Vinalhaven were the Red Paint People, some 3,800 to 5,000 years ago. Abenakis and other Native Americans came later. Europeans first settled Vinalhaven in 1763 at the end of the French and Indian Wars. The first occupations on Vinalhaven centered on fishing, farming, logging and boatbuilding. Women supported these industries by knitting fishnets and horse nets to protect the farm horses from flies. The quality of Vinalhaven’s granite was discovered in 1826. For the next 100 years, men primarily from Scandanavia and the British Isles quarried, cut, polished and carved granite to be shipped on schooners, sloops and barges to ports as far away as New Orleans.

[i]Information Courtesy Maine Windjammer Association.[/i]

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 13303.

The primary, and preferred route into carvers Harbor is a southern approach past Heron Neck Ledge and Greens Island.

If you are approaching from offshore, the Heron Neck Lighthouse (92 feet above water, flashing red) is located on the southern end of Greens Island and is an excellent target at night and during fog (equipped with horn). Heron Neck Ledge and Colt Ledge, along with a few other outcroppings can be dangerous if you don’t mind them properly. Most of them are marked with a series of red nun buoys, but additionally, some are not marked. Use extreme caution as you work your way in toward Carvers Harbor.

Once you have made your way through the rock ledges, head toward the Carvers Harbor Lighthouse (19 feet above water flashing red every four seconds), making sure you avoid the rock shoal that extends southeastward from Green Island at its southern end.

After you have made your way around Greens Ledge, set a course to intercept flashing red buoy “4” and green can buoy “5”, which lead you the rest of the way into the harbor. The entire entrance route is peppered with thousands of lobster pots and fish traps. If you don’t want one of these wrapped around your propeller, be sure to keep a close watch out for them.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Things To Do/Local Events:

Even though this is a working port, there certainly are plenty of things for visitors to do. There are many craft and gift shops in the town. Only a short walk from the Harbor is the Lane’s Island Preserve. This nature preserve takes up the southern 60 percent of Lane’s Island, which is connected to Vinalhaven by a causeway. The preserve is home to sea ducks and other bird life, the traditional shore side flora, and also low bush blueberry, bayberry, raspberry and blackberry.

Grime’s Park, one of Vinalhaven’s public parks, is also a short walk from the Harbor. Hike up to Trolley Cliff for a spectacular view of the harbor and surrounding islands. Visit Lawson’s Quarry, a half-mile from town, which is an abandoned granite quarry filled with spring water. What an excellent spot for swimming and sunbathing!

[i]Information Courtesy Maine Windjammer Association.[/i]

Transportation:

Vinalhaven is served daily by ferry, operated by the Maine State Ferry Service. Two boats, making several trips each day between Vinalhaven and Rockland, carry passengers, cars, bicycles and cargo trucks. Each ferry carries about 16 cars, or the equivalent. Foot passengers and bicyclists will almost always find space available on any ferry run, but the procedure by which one gets a car on the ferry can be confusing.

The current schedule for departures may be obtained from the Maine State Ferry Service at 207-596-2202

Telford Aviation provides limited passenger service to Vinalhaven. For further information, contact them at 207-596-5557.

[i]Information courtesy Vinalhaven Chamber of Commerce.[/i]

Helpful Links:

Vinalhaven Chamber of Commerce

Getting Around Vinalhaven

Getting to and From Vinalhaven