The Paddle Raise at last year’s Benefit raised funds to purchase a new work boat for Acadia National Park. That boat, aptly named Friendship, was put right into service this summer.

The new watercraft is a safer and more functional replacement for two aging and inefficient boats the park had been using. Its landing craft design allows park staff and equipment to land directly on the shore to access remote islands for maintenance, resource management, and law enforcement purposes.

This feature is especially important because Acadia National Park includes fee-owned and conservation easement lands on more than 90 islands that stretch across 50 miles of coastline.

The boat will continue to make a critical impact on improving the park’s ability to reach and manage these locations effectively.

Thanks a boat-load to the donors who made this possible!

(Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

(Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

(NPS photo)

(Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

(John Kelly/NPS)

(Brandon Bies/NPS)