MMA’S YACHT DONATION Program has been supporting Waterfront activities for nearly 50 years. In 2018, Joe Lobley stepped in as program steward after Jeff Loustaunau’s retirement. Loustaunau and Marine Surveyor, Norm LeBlanc, defined the yacht donation standard that separates MMA from many other yacht donation programs. Lobley continues to build upon their legacy by shifting the program’s focus towards higher valued boats. His ability to build strong business relations with yacht brokers is essential for the program’s success. These brokers work with yacht owners and offer the donation option as an alternative to selling their yachts.

Upon acceptance into the program, a yacht is available for charter, and after three years at MMA, for sale. Net proceeds from each charter and sale support the Waterfront and projects like the Bowdoin Future Fund. Also very important to the success of the program, is the support provided by MMA’s Advancement and Finance Departments. Currently, the Academy has power and sail boats on charter from Maine to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Great Lakes. Our charterers include MMA alumni and people from a variety of professions. In fact, one of the boats is being used as a dive boat and floating laboratory by a non-profit shark research group working in the Bahamas. To see the Academy’s current charter inventory, please visit: https://mainemaritime.edu/giving/yacht-donation-program/.█

Women’s History Month is dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the vital role women have played throughout history. It is an opportunity to honor women in our community. In past years Deidra Davis, Dean of Student Services, has hosted an on-campus panel of Women of Distinction, where MMA alumnae return to campus and share their experiences, provide insight on career options, and inspire our current and future students. This year the Women of Distinction event was held via Zoom, with participants attending breakout sessions with panelists, allowing for additional conversation and networking.

Panelists were Kelsi Eiane ’10, MSE; Katie Pushard ’11, IBL; Katie Hutchinson Pullman ’11, IBL; Angela Fouquette ’14 MSE; Rebekah Campbell ’15, IBL; Jillian Perron ’15, MB; Elizabeth Trenchman ’15, MB; Coronado Hickman ’16, MTO; Gillian Milstein ’16, MB; Victoria Cooper Haslam ’17, IBL; Lauren McKenna ’17, MB/SVO; Maggie McConkey ’18, PET; Shelby O’Neil ’18, VOT; Cristin Wright ’18, MS/SVO; and Sierra James ’19, MB.█

OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, MMA has been focused on creating a culture of giving, including an annual on-campus Giving Day. This year, the Athletic Department ramped it up by turning the entire month of December into its “Season of Giving.” WBB Participation numbers have seen continued growth, and this year, 100% of Women’s Basketball alumnae gave to MMA, with the proceeds impacting their former program.

Every cent will be funneled back into the program and used to ensure that we provide our kids with the greatest experience possible.

“We are thrilled with the support we continue to receive from our alumni,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Craig Dagan. “These contributions are more important than ever due to the financial constraints we have faced due to COVID-19. Every cent will be funneled back into the program and used to ensure that we provide our kids with the greatest experience possible.”

Alyssa Fortin ’07 summarized this effort by saying, “I am so proud to able to give the current student-athletes the chance to make the same friendships and memories I have from my time at Maine Maritime.”

More than 60 Women’s Basketball alumnae gave back to the program— an impressive feat and one that we hope inspires other teams and classes to aspire to 100% participation as well.█

The college has hired alumnus Captain Gordon ‘Mac’ MacArthur ’00 to serve as Master aboard TS State of Maine.

With more than 30 years of experience in the maritime field, MacArthur served most recently as a Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer for Diamond Offshore Drilling. In that role, he monitored environmental conditions, assisted in incident investigation and analysis, maintained and tested equipment, and managed personnel aboard offshore drilling vessels. Prior to joining Diamond, MacArthur served as Chief Mate and Master with Seadrill. In addition to traditional shipboard duties at Seadrill, MacArthur managed a multinational crew through the two-year construction and commissioning project of a new vessel.

MacArthur began his career as a student at MMA in the late eighties and sailed aboard previous State of Maine (USNS Upshur) for the 1989 training cruise. He left his studies in 1990 to serve 8 years in the US Coast Guard before returning in 1998 to resume his education. Following his graduation in 2000 with a BS in Marine Transportation Operations, MacArthur continued his service in the US Coast Guard Reserve.

Over the years, MacArthur has kept close ties with the college, participating in the 2017 leadership conference and visiting classes as a volunteer guest lecturer. Now a resident of Castine, he is also involved in the local community, serving as a member of the Castine Utility Board and on the Wilson Museum Building and Grounds Committee.

With his perspective as an alumnus, maritime professional, and local community member, MacArthur has a unique understanding of the role he is taking on. As Master, he will be responsible for the overall operation and safety of the ship, crew, students, and staff. In addition, he will oversee the outcomes, assessment, and continuous improvement of all training programs that utilize the vessel.

“I’m extremely excited about returning to the Academy in this capacity,” said MacArthur. “I’m very much looking forward to working with students on the ship and being able to play a part in their future successes.”

MacArthur joins MMA during a particularly busy planning season, as the school prepares for two cruise rotations aboard State of Maine this summer. The upcoming schedule is designed to make up for sea-time that was lost last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The first cruise is set to begin in April, following strict testing and quarantine protocols, and the second will begin in July.█

ADAM TART ’05 COMBINED his engineering skills and maritime experiences during the pandemic as Director of Plant Operations for the Community Medical Center in Tom’s River, New Jersey. Following is an article that appeared in medical center’s blog.

During the pandemic several projects—from changing the way air circulates through ICU rooms to making it possible to move and connect medical equipment outside of patient rooms for easier access—were vital to providing the best possible care to COVID-19 patients as safely as possible. “And they all happened in a matter of days,” says Theresa Ferretti, MSN, RN, Director, ICU. “We’re so blessed!”

Adam Tart, Director, Plant Operations, Community Medical Center (center) and members of the Plant Operations Team presented the Intensive Care Unit with a ship bell.

“They had quite a battle in the ICU,” says Adam Tart. “Through their dedication and hard work, they’ve saved a lot of lives. We’re happy to be able to contribute to that.” One day, staff announcements included mention of a new tradition: ringing a small bell each time a patient comes off a ventilator or is discharged from the ICU. “I thought about that,” says Tart, “and wanted to step it up a bit to show our support for the ICU team.”

Tart, a former Navy and Merchant Marine officer, ordered a 12-pound brass bell from a company in North Carolina. “I wanted something that the whole unit can hear,” says Tart.

In a letter to the ICU staff, he wrote: “You have shown great commitment to this hospital, our patients and humanity, with an unending dedication to your craft, no matter the obstacles. May the pure sound that rings from this bell for each victory warm the hearts of everyone who hears it, and bring a smile so big no mask can hide it.”

“I wanted them to understand how we feel about them, what an awesome job they’re doing and how honored we are to help them out,” says Tart.█