One would think that a busy working harbor like Burnt Coat on Swans Island would be a clamor of engines, banging of trap gear on nearby wharfs and small skiffs zipping about but not this weekend.

We arrived Friday afternoon around three o’clock at Burnt Coat Harbor after poking our way through thick fog from Campbell Island on Deer Isle. We picked up a rental mooring from one of the lobster men. They are recognizable by the large green poly balls and soda bottle attached to deposit your payment. The mooring we chose was close to the fisherman’s coop which provided lots of entertainment watching all the activity. The mooring we chose looked like it hadn’t been used for a while. So much kelp attached to the line made it difficult to hoist. Under most situations I’d be Leary of using a mooring so fouled because it indicates gear that’s not been serviced for a while and might not hold in a bad blow. The pennant was big enough to hold the Queen Marry and was too big for our dwarfed looking cleats. We tied up and settled in.

Just after we arrived about ten boats came in from fishing to unload their catch. The wharf was alive with activity but by five PM all was quiet. We did venture ashore and hiked up to Burnt Coat Light Station at Hockamock Head and we checked in at the coop to buy fuel. The coop has so many great posters showing the true sense of humor these guys have.

The forecast for Saturday and Sunday called for rain, fog, strong winds and possible lightening so very few fishermen ventured out Saturday morning. Sunday is a day of rest and is illegal to fish so we were lucky to be able to sleep in. Not hearing the roar of boats at four AM causing big wakes and rocking you out of bed is a blessing in a fishing community like Burnt Coat.