At the Portland Yacht Club September 5, Mark Hanley of Bristol generously celebrated two of his lifelong passions – protecting the coastal environment of Maine and boating. He did this by making a unique gift to the nonprofit MITA. Hanley turned over the keys to his 32-foot speedboat Elusive to Doug Welch, Executive Director of MITA. Through its professionally-brokered boat donation program, the boat will be chartered and half of the proceeds, a minimum of $15,000 and perhaps over $50,000, will go to MITA. The funds will be used to support the stewardship of the wild coastal islands and mainland sites that comprise the Maine Island Trail.

“This is a great surprise for MITA and a great day for the wild islands of Maine,” said Welch. “In a year when charitable donations have been a little slow, this is a great shot in the arm.”

Elusive was built by Volvo Marine in 1998 as a demonstration boat for Volvo engines, so it is extremely fast. By contrast, MITA’s work boats are 18-foot open Lund skiffs. On Elusive, Welch quips that “MITA could probably deliver supplies from Portland to our caretakers on Jewell Island in about 10 minutes,” but then notes that it probably makes more sense to charter it.

For more than twenty years MITA has developed and managed America’s first recreational water trail. Using a cadre of some 200 active volunteers from its ranks, MITA coordinates the management and care of many of the beautiful uninhabited islands that dot the Coast of Maine. The uninhabited islands and coastal sites that make up the Maine Island Trail are owned by a combination of individuals, land trusts, the state, businesses, and other non-profit organizations. MITA educates its 3,600 members in low-impact recreation practices, offers them opportunities to volunteer. In exchange, members have year-long access to the islands for camping, exploring or just enjoying from a distance. Eliza Ginn, MITA’s Membership Manager, described it as “one of the best bargains in Maine.” (MITA membership costs $45 a year, $65 for a family). The number of MITA sites has more than doubled in the last ten years, so the opportunity to expand stewardship resources through volunteers is particularly opportune.

Hanley acknowledges he will miss the thrill of piloting Elusive at speeds of up to 40 knots but he is equally thrilled to help MITA meet its financial goals. “MITA is the epitome of Maine tradition – using local community members to care for the precious natural resources right in their own community where their families can continue to enjoy them forever,” he said. “I’m delighted to be part of this remarkable organization and to help leverage its impact all along the Maine coast.”

Casco Bay sailors may have seen Hanley overhead as well as on the water – he pilots a float plane and an ultra-light aircraft. He is the founder and owner of Hanley Construction, Inc., also in Bristol.