The vessels of the Casco Bay Lines
I still get a childish thrill watching the ferry pull into Peaks even though I’ve lived on the island for nearly two years. It is especially exciting when an atypical ferry shows up at the docks Downfront.
Most of the time, the Machigonne II services Peaks Island. She’s a workhorse built in 1987 scheduled for replacement next year. However, every so often a new vessel makes its way to Peaks. This happens when our mighty green transfer bridge is out of service or the Machigonne is on dry dock for repairs.
As our lovely transfer bridge is currently under the knife, Peaks has been graced by nearly the entire fleet over the last few weeks. Most mornings, instead of walking down the car ramp onto the Machigonne, our family hops across the little metal bridge to the Wabanaki, the baby of the Casco Bay Lines. The Wabanaki is the newest boat, with an onboard elevator that Quinn loves. It also has a lot of tables, perfect for puzzling and catching up on work.
If we’re lucky, the Aucocisco III – lovingly known as the Auco – greets us on the docks. This is a rare occurrence, and one that fills Quinn with delight. He calls the Auco the “Cushion Ferry” – and rightly so, as it has several moveable cushions strewn across its metal benches. While this is pure speculation, I can easily imagine a few industrious islanders, upset at the cold metal benches of the Auco, sewing (or lobbying for) cushions. Regardless of their origin story, Quinn loves the cushions. He stacks them and makes forts, and occasionally sits on them. When the Auco arrives, he certainly gets a glimmer in his eye.
Both Q and I also appreciate the Maquoit II, a short but sweet ferry that mainly whisks folks and freight down bay (to the other islands like Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long Island, Chebeague and even to the farthest reaches of Cliff Island).
One boat I’ve failed to journey on is the Bay Mist, meaning I’ve yet to complete the ferry gauntlet. The Bay Mist remains elusive, although Kellie and Quinn have somehow managed to get onboard. The Bay Mist is a party boat. It’s basically a floating rectangle that remarkably manages to say afloat while carrying revelers across the Casco Bay. These days the Bay Mist is pretty much permanently tied up along the docks in-town – not much reveling to be had. That said, hopefully this summer when there are more vaccines in arms we’ll gather a group of islanders and rent out the boat for a big bash. I think by then we’ll all want to celebrate.