‘Sunbeam V’ Update – Looking Outside the Pilothouse
Thank you, Front Street Shipyard, for your frequent photo postings of the Sunbeam V refit progress.
This photo, Front Street tells us, is “the view just outside the pilothouse on [the] Sunbeam.”
‘Moonbeam’ Carries Crew to Work During ‘Sunbeam V’s Absence
Moonbeam returns from work. Steward Jillian is standing on the boat. Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley is standing on the dock.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Moonbeam is the Mission’s interim boat while the Sunbeam V undergoes its routine major refit. To carry on their work on Maine unbridged islands, the Sunbeam crew relies on Moonbeam and Captain Storey King to carry them to the islands and back. Sometimes Sunbeam crew members go to work using other means of transportation such as island mail boats and airplanes.
In this photo, taken just days ago at Northeast Harbor, ME, Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN (purple coat), and Steward Jillian (standing on Moonbeam), are returning from a island telemedicine trip.
‘Sunbeam V’ Update: The Varnish Crew Who Make the Boat’s Wood Shine
L-R: Dan Tibert, Aaron Harvey, Frantzdy Simon, Brice Campbell
BELFAST, ME — Sunbeam V Captain Mike Johnson, while overseeing the Sunbeam‘s routine major refit at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME, has been sending us photos and praise for the Front Street boat builders for their stellar work in repairing all aspects of the Sunbeam.
“These gentlemen,” writes Capt. Mike in his latest update, “are responsible for varnishing the interior panels and mahogany trim. I love the composition they suggested!”
The Important Work of Telemedicine on Maine Islands
The important work of telemedicine on Maine islands
By Maine Seacoast Mission • September 12, 2019
For Maine’s island residents, accessing even basic health care is a significant challenge. Trips to the mainland, when possible, are expensive and time consuming.
Since 1905, the Maine Seacoast Mission has played a vital role connecting residents of Maine’s most isolated unbridged islands with services: access to medical and dental care, spiritual support, education, and crisis services. The first of the Mission’s ships named Sunbeam, commissioned in 1912, carried books, supplies, and pastoral care to Maine islands, lighthouses, and isolated coastal communities of Hancock and Washington counties.
The Sunbeam also transported the very ill to hospitals, and provided basic health care and vaccinations.
Today, the Sunbeam V, with a Captain and four-person crew, carries on its work, combining Mission traditions with modern telemedicine.
Eye Doctor Boards ‘Moonbeam,’ Provides 18 Eye Exams on Swan’s Island
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- Dr. Kelley’s eye exam room inside Swan’s Island Public Library.
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- L-R: Dr. Kurt Kelley, Sharon Daley, RN, and Librarian Jeanie Hoyle
BAR HARBOR, ME — On August 30 Dr Kurt H. Kelley, MD of Mid Coast Eye Associates, Bath, ME and Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN traveled to Swan’s Island aboard the Mission’s interim boat, Moonbeam, to provide free eye exams.
Dr Kelley is able to provide screenings for glaucoma and cataracts and prescribe eye glasses. Eighteen people saw Dr. Kelly that day. Thank you, Dr. Kelley for the donation of your time and skill in providing this great service.
Also, thank you Swan’s Island Library librarian Jeanie Hoyle for letting us use the library, and also coordinating appointments and transportation.
Learn more about the Mission’s Island Health Services:
Sunbeam Updater – Captain Says, “Progress is Being Made”
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- John Armstrong at Front Street Shipyard, Belfast, ME
BAR HARBOR, ME — Over the weekend, Sunbeam V Captain Michael Johnson sent photo updates on the boat’s routine major refit:
The final coat of epoxy has been applied and new bilge plumbing is being installed in the accommodation section. The floor will hopefully be fitted next week. Progress is being made!
John Armstrong is responsible for all the sandblasting on the Sunbeam V — an extensive and difficult job. When John emerges from the bilge with his suit and helmet the boat could be mistaken for Sunbeam XV being serviced at a Starfleet facility.
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