Tom Bergh

Paddlers n Friends, Just unloaded a fresh set of mostly custom built NDKs with custom front bulkheads and modified skeg systems. If you’re possibly interested in a new Nigel Dennis Kayak, know that MIKCo maintains a complete demo fleet here on Peaks Island. We encourage demos in realistic conditions so come paddle for an hour or a day. If you are thinking about a new boat, here’s the current stock of Romanys, Explorers and Pilgrams. http://www.ndkna.com/ Note that the Pilgram Expedition is now available with a longer cockpit which really opens it up to us taller sorts; in Europe the Expedition has surpassed the Romany is sales! The Romany Surf remains under-utilized for the heavier paddler, and the Excel is a high performance play boats for the full sized paddler. So call Tom to make sure the boats you want to paddle are around, then come on up to Peaks to demo while the water is still bumpy! 207-232-six seven three three, or email tom@maineislandkayak.com. Please know that full price sales include custom outfitting of thigh, hip and bulkhead foam to increase your contact (your confidence) in your new boat, and enhance your bracing and rolling. No sales tax if you are out of Maine. Until we get a paddle wet… Tom Bergh Maine Island Kayak Co Distributor and Sales of NDKs Peaks Island, ME 04108

Paddler and Friends, Monday, May 17, 2010 This morning we awoke to the sad story of lost kayakers off of Peaks. Irena McEntee was a fierce, sweet, strong young lady, and am sure her friend must have been the same. Its hard to get my head around this loss as I knew her personally, and loved to see those flashing bright eyes. Meanwhile I began receiving phone calls while out on Jewell studying in the punch bowl tide pool - about these girls supposedly being on my trip with St Joseph’s college. As most of you know, MIKCo doesn’t rent kayaks, we take out paddlers only with our guides and instructors. In fact yesterday we moved our group out to Jewell by power boat because of the wind and the group’s abilities. So some uninformed reporter gets ahold of a story, and without calling ANY OF US to verify, published last night his form of journalism concerning these girls paddling with my college group to Jewell – which was patently untrue. So this morning we had our St Joseph’s college paddlers call their parents, several of whom were extremely agitated because of the Portland Press Heralds form of journalism. Our students our fine, their parents are now relieved, meanwhile the McAntee’s move into their horrible loss. We choose to participate in a risky sport, yes. But its too bad that professional journalists don’t verify facts before harming others unrelated to this tragedy. Facts are often hard enough. Tom Bergh Maine Island Kayak Co Peaks Island, ME 04108 207.766.2373 www.maineislandkayak.com

FYI, Last weeks Casco Bay rescue of a small boater put 3 government boats on the rocks. So maybe some of us should get a CG license...as this press doesn't help our reputation. Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. "A duck hunter who rolled his kayak near Jewell Island in Casco Bay on Saturday night set off a chain of events that caused three rescue boats to run aground, including Portland's new $3.2 million fireboat. There were no injuries, and the hunter who called for emergency help complaining of hypothermia was expected to be OK. Less certain were the conditions of the boats. "Portland Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne said late Saturday that the 65-foot MV City of Portland IV likely would be pulled from the water for an inspection. [This is a brand new $ multi million aluminium hulled boat] "We had a full-moon tide, an astronomically low tide. During the rescue effort it appears the fireboat struck something on its way back in. It gets very shallow out there [Whitehead Passage], and there are a lot of ledge outcroppings. The lower end of the rudder shaft possibly struck something." [six inch hole, shaft ripped out, one prop destroyed. Boat towed to Gowen where had to be immediately hoisted ashore for inspection and repair; yes 65'] "The events began unfolding around 5:30 p.m. during the outgoing tide. The 62-year-old hunter, whose name was not released, apparently flipped his kayak, scrambled to shore and called for help. His wife was with him, though it was not clear whether she was in the kayak with him or in another vessel. "The Fire Department responded with the 65-foot fireboat and launched a smaller rescue skiff when the big boat began running out of water. Rescuers purposely beached the skiff, knowing the tide would leave it high and dry, and assisted the hunter on the island. [seas were relatively calm, no call to Cape Elizabeth Wet Team or other experts on shore waters] "Meanwhile, the Coast Guard was in the area on a training mission with a 25-foot response boat. While motoring over to Jewell to offer assistance, the Coast Guard boat ran aground. From its station in South Portland, the Coast Guard launched a second boat. "By then, the Portland fireboat was on its way back in to the harbor. It was during its voyage back to port that it struck a ledge, or some other object, around Whitehead Passage. The second Coast Guard boat assisted the Portland fireboat at that time. "They were taking on a little bit of water," said Paul Painter, search-and-rescue controller for the Coast Guard. "They were able to keep up with it, but we brought them gas and a pump, just in case." [this means ANOTHER boat] "Late Saturday, the hunter [any of you tried a 12 gauge from a kayak or canoe?], his wife and their rescuers were still on the island, awaiting an incoming tide that would allow enough water to float the beached inflatable and a small vessel dispatched by Maine Marine Patrol. [which rumors say also had 'run aground'] Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457 or at: bkeyes@pressherald.com" PS: I pass this on for what its worth. For sure I'll hear about these kayakers' general responsibility (he and wife may have been in a canoe, unverified). Certainly this small boater may have lacked certain basic Darwinian skills, but in my humble opinion it appears from the unverified article that some of the involved professional mariners need to focus on their application of general seamanship.

If you are interested in providing feedback as a user of Maine's waters, you can contact Maine's representatives at the links below. This legislation came out of a late night budget meeting amendment, with minimal consideration for the effect on Maine's tourism industry. Additionally there are a fair pile of questions and concerns some of which I've listed below. http://janus.state.me.us/house/reps.htm To contact Maine's senators: http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/ Here were some of my questions and concerns: Canoes and Kayaks but not Guns? Concerning proposed “budget” amendment taxing canoes and kayaks: 1. I am extremely concerned about the process of adding this critical tax to Maine’s tourist industry without adequate public comment and a chance to consider the true consequences of this short-sighted tax. 2. I own a small seasonal business selling sea kayaks and providing outfitting and instructing. We started in 1986. In order to provide a true and unique ocean experience to the millions of paddlers down in NY, Conn, Mass, RI and NH, my wife and I maintain a fleet of around 100 kayaks. However we seldom have any more than 10-15 on the water at any one time as most are specialty-use boats sized to a variety of physiques. Secondly we maintain these boats for the retail portion of our business, so that a purchaser can try a demo before they buy. Its part of what I have to do to compete with the tax free sales in RI and NH. I already pay sales or use tax when I purchase my demo boats, and then collect sales tax on sale of these used kayaks when I sell them (so far 10% tax). I pay a meal tax when I feed my clients. I pay the highest workers comp in the nation. I pay one of the highest income taxes in the nation (those year's when anything is left over). So this seems a little much. Or are outfitters exempt from the kayak/canoe tax as you are only taxing those from away? 3. The University of Maine produced a study relating income flow into the Maine economy from paddlers visiting Maine Guides and outfitters. The multiplier for the Maine economy was many times the amount charged by our guides and outfitters. We have many folks who pay to stay in hotels, eat out at restaurants, entertain and shop while paying us a small stipend for day trips or lessons. Do you want to hinder that without fair consideration? 4. The popularity of kayaking is directly tied to the carefree easy experience. I am sure that you will see a serious decline in families bringing their canoes and kayaks into Maine to recreate, partly because of the money, partly because of the hassle factor. Remember the real money they bring to us is the lodging, meals, entertainment and purchases. Why impact this without forethought? If your action caused 5% of these families and paddlers to avoid a weekend in Maine, you just lost much more tax revenue than that you propose with your illogical exercise. 5. Does a kayak or canoe need to be registered if it only sits in my yard (as most kayaks sold in Maine in fact do?). Does a kayak or canoe need to be registered if I only use it on a lake or pond with no public access? Does a kayak need to be registered if it is used only in the ocean? (IF&W has no jurisdiction there, I assume). What about if its to be used only on an estuary? Where is the line between salt water exemption (federal law) and where I must register my boat? 6. What about all those paddlers who drive and leave from Eastport or Lubec to journey in Passamaquoddy Bay in Canada? Or the St. John River (shared border with Canada? Lake Umbagog? Shared border with New Hampshire? If my paddle trip originates in New Hampshire, do I need a Maine registration to paddle across into the Maine "portion" of Lake Umbagog?) 7. Does this include canoes and kayaks that we use only as sleds in the winter for our kids? 8. How do you define kayaks and canoes anyway? Perhaps I could keep a pair of oars aboard my kayak and claim it's a rowboat and therefore be exempt? 9. How will this be enforced? Are out visitors going to be happy paying tolls at the Turnpike booths? Certainly there are not enough wardens to do their existing jobs, and this only increases their duties. 10. How are you going to affix a sticker to the majority of such kayaks, plastic ones that pretty much nothing will stick to unless installed on a fresh, new boat that’s never been outside? Are beautiful homemade boats included? 11. I'm concerned that if you tax one type of broadly popular activity such as canoeing and kayaking, then why not camp equipment, hiking boots, back packs, hunting guns. 12. I’ll wager there are a lot more hunting rifles than kayaks now or forever in Maine? But I’ll wager you’ll NEVER touch that one? Fair? Have you forgotten that one of our state’s primary incomes is from tourist dollars? Are you sure this will not turn away that family who comes up to Maine for that one week a year? Perhaps these questions highlight why middle of the night legislation is not really appropriate in the United States. I appreciate your difficult job, but failure to allow input from effected parties, from the tourism expertise in the state, from those that have an opinion on a law’s impact, might just harm the state more than help it. Short term income will harm long term growth of Maine’s future. Tom Bergh Peaks Island, Maine