Arundel boatbuilding school confirms permanent closure, with property to be auctioned
Arundel’s Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design Shuts Its Doors for Good, Property to Go to Auction
Arundel, Maine – After nearly five decades of training maritime craftsmen, the Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design announced that it will close permanently, with its campus slated for auction next month.
The school, which opened its doors in 1978 and calls itself the oldest institution of its kind in the United States, had long served as a launchpad for careers in the marine industry. Its programs taught students how to build and maintain boats and marine systems, and many of its alumni went on to start their own businesses or join established shipyards.
The decision to close came after the school’s leadership reported falling enrollment and mounting financial pressures in a May 2026 notice. “Enrollment declines have caused significant financial strain,” the announcement said, and it called for a review of the school’s future.
In an effort to keep the institution alive, the school’s trustees explored a partnership with the Northeast Maritime Institute, a Massachusetts maritime college, in August. However, the trustees later confirmed that the proposed deal was not viable. A letter signed by the board and released this month made clear that no workable solution had been found to keep the school operating.
“Unfortunately, we have been unable to secure a sustainable path forward,” the letter reads. “The legacy of The Landing School will carry on in the boats our graduates built, the businesses they started, the skills they brought to their careers, the people they mentored, and the countless lives they touched.”
President John Caron told reporters in August that the 2026‑27 academic year would be canceled and that students who had already enrolled would receive full refunds of their deposits. He did not respond to a request for comment this week.
The school’s property at 286 River Road will be sold in a live real‑estate auction on November 10 at 11 a.m. In addition, the campus’s contents will be auctioned off online through Keenan Auction Company. The online auction opens at 9 a.m. on November 1 and closes on November 16. Bidders can expect a variety of marine manufacturing equipment, vessels, tools and other items that were used in the school’s training programs.
The announcement marks the end of an era for a local institution that has long been a cornerstone of Maine’s maritime heritage. “It’s a sad day for our community,” said a longtime resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “The Landing School was a place where people learned valuable skills that they carried with them throughout their lives.”
While the school’s doors close, its legacy—embodied in the boats built by its graduates and the careers launched from its classrooms—will persist. The auctions will provide an opportunity for former students, local businesses and collectors to acquire pieces of that history.
