Two boats built for service are beginning a new chapter at Burnt Island. The Keepers of Burnt Island Light recently celebrated the christening of two 26-foot Navy Whale Boats Mk II, generously donated to the organization by longtime Burnt Island supporters Howard and Dee Wright.

The celebration brought together members and supporters of the Keepers, Commissioner Carl Wilson and Erin Summers from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and friends of Burnt Island to mark the arrival of the vessels. Local lay minister Nancy Van Dyke was on hand to offer the official blessing of the boats.

The fiberglass boats, built in the early 1970s at the Uniflite Corporation of Bellingham, Washington, are based on a long tradition of sturdy, dependable working boats. Navy whale boats were valued for their stability, seaworthiness and versatility, serving as vessels for transporting people and supplies, assisting in emergencies, and carrying out the everyday work required aboard ships and along the coast.

Those same qualities make the boats an ideal fit for Burnt Island. Their generous capacity and rugged working-boat design will give the Keepers a dependable way to transport visitors, volunteers, educators, program participants, supplies and equipment to and from the island. More importantly, the boats will open the door to programs and experiences that have previously been difficult to undertake.

“These boats give us something that will fundamentally expand what we can do on Burnt Island,” said Doug Goldhirsch, president of the Keepers of Burnt Island Light. “They will allow us to bring more children and adults to the island, support our volunteers and educators, move the supplies and equipment we need, and create new opportunities for people to experience Burnt Island. Howard and Dee’s generosity has given these boats a new purpose, and we are incredibly grateful.”

The boats will support the Keepers’ growing efforts to make Burnt Island a place where people can experience Maine’s maritime history, lighthouse heritage, marine environment and working waterfront traditions firsthand. They will also provide greater capacity for volunteer projects, educational programs, special events and the ongoing work required to care for the island.