The news that Gloucester’s dory rowers, James “ Jimmy T” Tarantino and Sarah LeWine, safely crossed the Bay of Fundy, over the weekend brings a collective sigh of relief from hundreds of family and friends on Cape Ann.
The Bay of Fundy, due to having the highest tide changes in the world and its busy shipping lanes, was likely the most perilous part of their estimated 600-mile journey in the Grand Banks dory commissioned by Tarantino, which he named the Heart o’ Gloucester. Part of the mission of this maritime adventure was to celebrate the city’s more than 400-year-old maritime history.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, also shares a rich maritime and fishing history dating to its establishment in 1753. Canadian dory rowers planned to row out to meet the Gloucester rowers in a final escort into town upon the arrival to their final destination. Tarantino and LeWine have been competing against their fellow Canadian dory rowers in the long-standing Internatoinal Dory Racing Competitions that are held each summer, first in Gloucester and then Lunenburg.
The Gloucester rowers left Gloucester on Saturday, July 26, with a proposed travel schedule that would have landed them in Lunenberg about a month later, around Aug. 23, the time of the international dory competition in Lunenburg. But they likely will arrive at least 10 days early thanks to the most forgiving of weather and ocean conditions. Now, the pair’s estimated arrival is toward the end of this week.
Tarantino and LeWine began crossing the Bay of Funday on Tuesday and finally hit land Saturday around lunch time.
“Okay Folks … Time for the BIG crossing. The crew of the Heart o’ Gloucester, will be leaving Lunt Harbor, Frenchboro, Long Island, Maine, for their approximate 120-mile row to the shores of Nova Scotia, at pre dawn, along with two local lobstermen (Jay and Paul) as they head out to work. Jay is the local harbor master … He supplied them with an extra large flashlight from his own boat just now, that and some molasses cookies,” wrote Tarantino’s wife Laurel
Laurel Tarnatino noted that Long Island has six full-time residents, which expands to 30 residents in the summer. Because the library is open 24/7, she noted that Tarantino and LeWine were able to charge their devices and study their charts for the crossing. Their first stop in Nova Scotia was expected to be Clark’s Harbor, maybe Barrington, she said. After that, it will be about 70 nautical miles to Lunenburg.
Last Thursday, she said they set out a sea anchor because of the need for rest.
“After two days of no sleep, decided to try to get some,” James Tarantino said in a Garmin message.
As of Friday morning, they were 40 miles from land as the crow flies.
“They were 60 miles from land before last night’s drift … The Coast Guard in Canada is aware of their location. Please continue to keep Laurel and Jimmy Tarantino, and Sarah LeWine in your prayers,” wrote photographer Linda Cunningham, who shared photos of the Gloucester rowers when they arrived in Spruce Head Harbor in Maine.
Laurel Tarantino commented it is her husband’s good luck that they would drift in the direction they needed to be heading.
“James Tarantino is so lucky, he drifted closer to his destination while he slept on sea anchor. Only Jimmy! I’d like to have an ounce of his luck,” she posted. “Plus, my husband is truly charmed, I believe so anyway. His positive energy just radiates love and good Karma. Thank you all again for your good wishes.”
She too changed her schedule to arrive a week earlier in Lunenburg, with plans to head out later this week. She will drive a pickup truck and trailer to transport the dory back to Gloucester.
For the rowers’ final provision stop, a box of provisions was given to Elvis Pye, a Canadian rower visiting Gloucester in July for that segment of the International Dory Race competition. This way, Pye could then bring it back to Canada to supply the rowers when they finally made land again in Nova Scotia after the long crossing of the Bay of Fundy. Pye also brought a replacement oar that was supplied by Pam and Chris Wagner, also competitive dory racers. One oar had broke during the crossing.
When Tarantino and LeWine hit land after nearly four days on the open bay, they dined on fried chicken and cold beer, and happily set foot on solid ground again. However, where they landed was about 60 nautical miles north of where they had hoped to arrive.
They plan to stay in Lunenburg through Aug. 23 to watch the International Dory Races and cheer on the U.S. participants.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.