Tragedy Strikes Maine Coast as Historic Schooner’s Mast Collapses
In a tragic incident, a woman lost her life when the main Mast of a historic sailing vessel, known for carrying tourists along the picturesque Maine coast, snapped and toppled onto the ship’s deck. The victim, Dr. Emily Mecklenburg, aged 40 and hailing from Rockland, worked as a physician at the hospital where three other injured individuals were subsequently taken for treatment. This unfortunate event occurred on Monday and was confirmed by Nicole Jacques, a spokesperson for the schooner’s owners.
Dr. Mecklenburg was declared deceased after being evacuated from the stricken vessel, named Grace Bailey, by the Coast Guard. The three other injured victims were transported to PenBay Medical Center in Rockport, where Mecklenburg was employed.
The Coast Guard has initiated an investigation into the incident, as it remains unclear why the schooner’s main mast snapped, even though the weather conditions were not particularly windy. The incident took place about one mile east of Rockland harbor, as per the Coast Guard’s statement.
There is no set timeline for the ongoing investigation, which may require several weeks or even months to conclude. “We want to make sure the investigation is being done thoroughly and that the necessary boxes are being checked,” noted Ensign Matthew Bartnick, a Coast Guard spokesperson in Maine.
The Grace Bailey was a part of Maine’s windjammer fleet, primarily consisting of large historic sailboats that offer multi-day outings to tourists. The unfortunate mast collapse transpired as the Grace Bailey was returning from a four-day excursion.
During the incident, an emergency medical technician mentioned that one person was briefly trapped beneath the fallen mast, while three others sustained head and back injuries.
Despite the age of the Grace Bailey, which dates back to its construction in 1882, several older vessels operate along the Maine coast, including the Lewis R. French and Stephen Taber, both built in 1871. These vessels have undergone numerous refurbishments over the years, with most of their components replaced. The mast that fractured was not the original mast of the Grace Bailey.
It’s worth noting that the Grace Bailey, which carried 33 passengers and crew, was previously known as the “Mattie” before coming under new ownership and undergoing a name change within the past year. Notably, actor Marc Evan Jackson, renowned for his roles in TV shows such as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “The Good Place,” is one of the new owners of the schooner. Jackson, a seasoned sailor, decided to become a part owner when the opportunity arose, as revealed by Jacques.
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