Day 7; Wednesday; 6 August 2025
Burnt Cove Harbor, SSW Swans Island, Maine
PoC Latitude & Longitude: 44º 07.98 N ; 68º 26.75 W
Order of the Day
- See Table: Order of the Day.
- Note: All yachts in the Fleet, as a salute to the Sweet Chariot Music Festival, should Dress Ship after setting anchor in Burnt Coat Harbor until the Fleet Parade on departure on 7 August
Introduction
- Today is the sixth day of the Cruise and it will take us from Pretty Marsh Harbor SSW to Swans Island
- There are two anchorages:
- Mackerel Cove on the N central coast of Swans Island.
- Burnt Coat Harbor, and inlet in the S central coast. It offers a very picturesque entrance through a narrow passage overlooked by a classic lighthouse.
- The Fleet will be gathering in Burnt Coat Harbor.
- It is possible to anchor in the northern Mackerel Cove. Access to shore is by dinghy to the dock on the S side of the ferry landing. Be respectful of needs of local residents
- The Fleet will participate in the annual Sweet Chariot Music Festival which is held in the Odd Fellows Hall. This is about mid-way between the two anchorages.
- There will be additional Festival festivities in the Anchorage.
- There are moorings for rent with colored (green a few pink) but this is first-come the Fleet should plan on anchoring.
- The Fleet should be prepared to anchor. See the charts below for the large anchorage area location and a Sonar chart with more detailed bathymetry.
- The Fleet should plan to be at Anchor by 1530 hrs.
- Boats associated with the Festival will begin serenading the Fleet with Shanties at 1600 hrs.
Port Captain(s)
· John Geisinger
Approach
- Burn Coat Harbor is on the S central coast of Swans Island.
- After departing Pretty Marsh Harbor anchorage the fleet will head SE down Eastern Passage to the E tip of Swans Island.
- The route the circles the SE quadrant of Swans Island to the W entrance to Burnt Coat Harbor marked by the lighthouse.
- It is possible to use the narrow E entrance to the harbor but this is shallow and passage is tide-dependent with a great deal of caution needed.
- See Proposed Route Chart below.
Marinas; Moorings: Anchorage
- See Table: Marinas, Moorings, Anchorages.
- See Table: Marine Services.
- Harbormaster:
- Marinas: None in local area.
- Anchorage: There is a large anchorage for the Corinthians Fleet that will allow participation in the Sweet Chariot Music Festival Activities both on the visiting schooners and ashore. See chart below.
- Launch Service: None in local area.
- Dinghy Dock:
- The local lobstermen’s cooperative is allowing use of their pier – on a non-inteference basis when lobstering activities are not ongoing. This is on the W mid-coast of the harbor. Please be respectful of the working needs of these great people.
- Swans Island Yacht Club, a not for profit 501c3-has offered the use of their new dock for us to use as dinghy dock. This is located near Trafton Pier on the E side of the harbor. A donation for use would be respectful. See chart below. Please be respectful of their ongoing activities.
- Festival organizers will have shuttles to show and back from the Yacht Club/Tradtons dock staring at 1830
- Use as few dinghies as possible.
- Use long painters on dinghies (6' +)
- Fuel:
- Kent's Wharf; 207-526-4186
- Swan's Island Fishermen's Co-op; 207-526-4327
- Water: None in local area.
- Pumpout: None in local area.
Provisioning
· See Table: Provisioning Opportunities.
Restaurants & Libations
- See Table: Restaurant & Libation Opportunities.
- There are few opportunities for dining ashore around Burnt Coat Harbor: See link below to services available in town.
- Lobsters Availability:
- Kent's Wharf; Dave & Cindy Niquette; 207-526-4186
- Swan's Island Fishermen's Co-op.; Kathy Clark - Manager; 207-526-4327
- It is recommended that each yacht treat the lunch and dinner meals in Burnt Coat Harbor as a good time to have a picnic meal aboard or on shore so that crew will be able to adapt and participate in the many activities that will be “happening” around us as part of the Festival
Attractions & Activities
- See Table: Attractions & Activities.
- The Sweet Chariot Music Festival is ongoing and the Fleet will arrive on its second day.
- Festival tickets will be provided to skippers and crew.
- The Fleet should be at anchor by 1530.
- Boats from the Sweet Chariot Music Festival will begin serenading the Fleet with Shanties starting at 1600
- The Festival is held at the Odd Fellows Hall at the NW tip of the harbor.
- There is no good dinghy landing facility near the concert venue.
- See comments about use of local piers and the chart below.
- As of 22 July, Festival organizers are trying to arrange transportation from the piers to the music venue. However be prepared to walk.
- Every effort should be made to use the minimum number of tenders as space is very limited. Be sure to use long painters (8' +).
Communications
· US Coast Guard: VHF Ch-16
· Corinthians Cruise Communications:
o VHF Ch-69
o Website: corinthianscruise.org/BreakingNews
Camaraderie
· A principal focus of today will be to race, engage in activities in the anchorage with fellow Corinthians.
Fun & Games
· Festival participation should provide more than enough Fun & Games!
Racing
· See Table: Racing Activities.
References & Links
