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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine Q UA L I T Y O F L I F E are used more predictably, Pendleton says. Whereas pleasure boaters might travel randomly to places and not know their exact destinations, those who work on the water typically know what their day will look like, where they will travel, and how much range they need in their batteries. At the end of the day, they might have a charging station at their homeport berth. e Take Charge has been well- received among boatyard employees and people in the community who are intrigued, Pendleton says. He wouldn't be surprised to see an acceleration of electric engines on boats. "We're getting close to that and that's the way people are going in general," he says. Maine Electric Boat is committed to green power. Rumery's Boat Yard has a rooftop solar array that provides 90% of its power needs. Maine Electric Boat also has two canopy-covered electric pleasure boats for rent to the public. e boats, which can hold either four or eight people, are berthed at Rumery's Boat Yard and can be taken for leisurely outings on the Saco River from the boatyard to the mouth of the river where it empties into the ocean. is past winter, Matt and Sean Tarpey hosted a roundtable discussion attended by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson, business owners, local officials and marine science experts to discuss green energy options for commercial ves- sels, including the possibility of replacing diesel engines with electric engines. "Maine," Hampson said at the time, "can help lead the maritime industry in adopting 'blue technology.'" It remains to be seen just how popular electric commercial vessels will become in the years ahead, and whether the growth could follow the trajectory of the electric car market. A decade ago, electric cars were scarce on Maine roads; today, they're everywhere. Matt Tarpey, for one, is confident: "While young, this industry is one that has a lot of potential." Clarke Canfield, a freelance writer, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz CONCRETE Christian Hill Quarry (207) 777-7101 3259 Hotel Rd. Auburn NOW HIRING TRUCK DRIVERS (All Locations) & MECHANICS (Auburn) CENTRAL (207) 777-7100 Auburn, Augusta & Fairfield SOUTHERN (207) 780-0523 Westbrook1, Westbrook2 & Biddeford MIDCOAST (207) 373-9290 West Bath, Topsham & Damariscotta AGGREGATES Matt Tarpey (at the helm) and is dad Sean test drive the Take Charge, an inflatable work boat with an electric outboard now used by Pendleton Yacht Yard on Islesboro. P H O T O / JA C K S U L L I VA N / I S L A N D I N S T I T U T E

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