Freeport voters reject launch of landlocked ship
Freeport Residents Reject Island Rover Launch in November Election
Freeport, Maine – In a decision that will keep the 90‑foot schooner Island Rover docked on land for the foreseeable future, voters in Freeport turned down a ballot measure that would have allowed the ship to be launched into the Atlantic. The measure, presented in the town’s November 2026 general election, fell short by 620 votes: 3,025 opposed the launch while 2,405 supported it.
The Island Rover has been a local curiosity and a point of contention for more than three decades. The vessel, built by 80‑year‑old Harold Arndt and a business partner, was constructed from scrap material gathered during Arndt’s time at Bath Iron Works. His original ambition was to charter the ship to a group of college students for an Arctic adventure, showcasing innovative reuse of materials. Those plans never materialized, and the schooner has remained perched in a residential area at 0 Shore Drive.
The referendum sought to create a temporary boat launch in the zoning district that contains the ship’s site. If approved, the launch would be exempt from certain town environmental and zoning requirements, allowing the ship to be moved out of its long‑standing landlocked position. Supporters of the measure had previously failed to place the Island Rover on the ballot during the June primary, but managed to gather enough signatures to bring the question to voters in November.
Legal wrangling over the Island Rover has been a constant thread in Freeport’s recent history. Arndt and his partner have faced disputes with the town government and neighbors, leading to a series of lawsuits and zoning hearings. The town’s decision to deny the launch vote reflects a community weighing the ship’s potential environmental impact against the desire to preserve the character of the neighborhood.
While the Island Rover referendum dominated headlines, other local races also concluded on election day.
Town Council Seats Up for Election
Three council seats were contested: an at‑large seat and district seats for Districts 2 and 3. Chairperson Joanna Benoit, who had served as council chair for several terms, was reelected to the at‑large seat unopposed. In District 3, incumbent Matthew Pillsbury was the sole candidate and thus retained his seat. The most competitive race was in District 2, where James DeGrandpre won with 875 votes against Steve Doran’s 319. DeGrandpre’s victory restores a balance of representation that has been sought by several community groups.
Regional School Unit 5 Board Confirmations
The Regional School Unit 5 board, which covers Freeport, Pownal and Durham, saw two uncontested seats confirmed. Anna Child and Anthony McElligott were reelected to represent the district. Their continued presence on the board will help maintain stability in a school community that has faced shifting enrollment and budgetary pressures in recent years.
Community Response to the Island Rover Decision
The outcome of the launch referendum was met with mixed reactions. Arndt, who has spent most of his life in the shipbuilding industry, expressed disappointment but also a willingness to explore alternative uses for the schooner. “I built this vessel to give people a taste of the sea, and it’s frustrating that it’s still stuck on land,” Arndt told a local news outlet. “But I respect the decision of our neighbors and the town. We’ll keep looking for ways to honor the project.”
Neighbors on 0 Shore Drive, many of whom had long argued that the ship’s launch could bring increased traffic, noise and environmental concerns, welcomed the vote. “The ship is a constant reminder of a project that never quite got off the ground,” said a resident who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s good that we had a chance to have our voices heard.”
Town officials emphasized that the decision did not preclude future discussions about the Island Rover. “We’re open to finding solutions that balance the community’s concerns with the historical significance of the vessel,” said a town spokesperson. “There may be other ways to use the ship without a full launch.”
Looking Ahead
The Island Rover remains on the property, its hull rusting in the Maine summer heat. For now, the ship is a static monument to a dream that was never realized. The town’s council will likely revisit the issue in future budget cycles, while Arndt continues to advocate for creative repurposing of the schooner.
Meanwhile, the results of the November election reflect broader trends in Freeport’s civic life. The town’s voters engaged in a range of local issues—from school board appointments to council representation—demonstrating an active community invested in its governance. Whether the ship will ever see the water again remains uncertain, but the decision to keep it landlocked underscores the community’s cautious approach to change.
