Casco Bay Mailboat

The Maquoit II passing Peaks Island, 2006
History
United States
Name	Maquoit II
Owner	Casco Bay Lines
Operator	Casco Bay Lines
Route	Portland – Little Diamond Island – Great Diamond Island – Long Island – Cliff Island – Great Chebeague Island
Status	Operational
General characteristics
Type	Mailboat

The Casco Bay Mailboat is a sailing vessel, run by Casco Bay Lines, which delivers mail and other items to the residents of the islands of Casco Bay in Maine, United States. It is the longest-running mailboat service in the country, having been in existence since the 1870s. Up until the 1950s, the boat was coal-powered; now it runs on a diesel engine.[1]

Currently undertaken by the Maquoit II, one of Casco Bay Lines' three mail boats,[1] the service runs twice daily. The route takes around three hours and visits five islands: Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Great Chebeague Island and Cliff Island.[2][3]

Passengers are permitted on the boat, and tourists can alight at Long Island, Great Chebeague Island and Cliff Island; the Diamonds, meanwhile, are private, with no public beaches, facilities or restaurants.[1] If there are ten or more passengers, a route narration is provided.[3] The route takes the boat beside landmarks such as Fort Gorges and Luckse Sound, where ships were torpedoed during World War II.[2]

The mailboat is based at the Maine State Pier and departs at 10.00 AM and 2.15 PM.[1]

References

1. "The Best Way to See Maine's Casco Bay Islands Is By Mail Boat". Condé Nast Traveler. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
2. Voornas, Lori. "The Oldest Running Mailboat is the Best Way to Cool Off This Hot Maine Summer". 94.9 HOM. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
3. "Mailboat Tour - Casco Bay Mail Run from Portland Maine". Casco Bay Lines. Retrieved 3 August 2022.