On the launch day of the Eastern Maine Skippers Program, students from several coastal schools gathered at the Fisherman’s Friend Restaurant in Stonington to get to know each other and the program. As part of the day, the students got into rowboats and participated in “wacky rowboat races,” wherein the rower is blindfolded and guided by voice by another student. The EMSP is an effort between schools to educate young men and women planning a career on the water.