Distinguished Sailor Remembered
In September 2012, Maine Maritime Academy lost a
distinguished sailor, lawyer, and harbor pilot.
By Laurie Stone, Editor
Susan J. Clark '85 grad-
Prior to Joe Clark's dedication,
uated at the top of her class
Capt David Gelinas spoke about
and worked her way up to be-
"...I remember the new
Susan. Most poignantly, he said,
come the first female captain
"While I was a year ahead of Su-
recruits looking hot and
at Exxon Shipping Co. She left
san at school, I got to know her
shipping for a while to attend
dazed as Susan paced them
through the sailing team. Even as
law school, receiving her JD
an underclassman, it was impos-
jogging uphill, without break-
in 1992. For several years, she
sible not to notice her as she dis-
practiced law with the Verrill
ing a sweat, while running
tinguished herself in academic and
and Dana firm of Portland,
extracurricular pursuits. One last-
backwards!"
Maine. Eventually, the call of
ing impression I have of Susan at
the sea drew her back and she
MMA was watching her as a striker
commanded ships for Sea Riv-
shepherding freshmen during in-
er Maritime, finishing her blue
doctrination. I remember the new
water sailing days as master
Capt. David Gelinas words
recruits looking hot and dazed as Su-
of the AMERICAN PROG-
about his classmate
san paced them jogging uphill, with-
RESS. For the next 11 years,
out breaking a sweat, while running
Captain Clark dedicated her
backwards!"
extraordinary maritime skills to the challenge of being
a harbor pilot for the Portland Pilot's Association. She
Later, Gelinas stated, "MMA has had many distin-
also applied her exceptional leadership skills by work-
guished alumni ... Some have had buildings named
ing for many civic organizations in her community. In
after them; others have had plaques or rooms dedicat-
2005, Captain Clark became the first female admitted
ed to their memories. It is fitting that for Susan, the
to the Portland Marine Society, a venerable organiza-
Academy has chosen to honor her memory here on the
tion begun in 1796. From 2002 to 2007, she devoted
waterfront, where she acquired the very skills handling
her time and expertise to Maine Maritime Academy as
small craft that she put to use later in her career, pilot-
a member of its Board of Trustees.
ing the largest ships that call on this state."
To honor Captain Clark for her lifelong devotion to
In late August and early September 2013, the MV NED
the sea, the law, the safety of over 1000 ships that en-
was meticulously repainted so it could proudly bear the
tered Portland Harbor with her hand at the wheel, her
name of one of MMA's best sailors, ever ­ Capt Susan
husband and two sons, and, most of all, her deep af-
J. Clark - and provide future generations with hands-
fection for Maine Maritime Academy, her brother, Jo-
on experience using electronic navigation.
seph Clark '83, rechristened the Academy's navigation
Editor's Note:
training ship, the 70-foot MV NED NUSUNGINYA (the
see the Spring 2011 MARINER, pp. 26-27, for a
NED), at a ceremony during Homecoming 2013 cele-
history of the new MV CAPT. SUSAN J. CLARK.
brations.
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