3 lawsuits filed against owners of Maine schooner years after fatal incident
Three Maine Lawsuits Filed Over Fatal 2023 Schooner Accident
Rockland, Maine — Three separate civil suits have been filed in the U.S. District Court for Maine against the owners of the historic schooner Grace Bailey and the vessel itself, following a fatal accident that killed Dr. Emily Mecklenburg and injured three other passengers in October 2023.
The plaintiffs—Maureen Colvin of Scituate, Massachusetts; Katherine McCann, formerly of Montville, Maine; Christopher and Diane Sarao of Lubec, Maine—each allege negligence and that the vessel was unseaworthy. In a fourth filing on October 2, the Saraos added a host of additional defendants, including crew members, former owners, and companies that performed repairs and inspections on the schooner in the years leading up to the incident.
The Incident
At roughly 10 a.m. on Oct. 9, 2023, the Grace Bailey, a two‑masted schooner built in 1882 and restored in 1990, was anchored about a mile east of Rockland Harbor. The main mast’s top split, sending a fragment of the sail and the mast itself careening toward the vessel’s deck. The impact killed Dr. Mecklenburg, a 40‑year‑old Rockland resident, and left three other passengers with serious injuries.
A U.S. Coast Guard report released last year concluded that the interior of the main mast had rotted, a flaw that likely contributed to its catastrophic failure. While the schooner had been involved in other accidents, this was the first fatality in its long service history.
Victims’ Accounts
Maureen Colvin, a passenger, testified that she was “abruptly impacted from above” by the sail and “propelled down approximately eight feet of stairs, resulting in a violent and painful impact with the floor deck below.” Despite her injuries, she was said to have helped other passengers during the emergency.
Katherine McCann, who had been hired as a musician for the voyage, sustained injuries that required transport by LifeFlight to a hospital. She continues to receive medical care, according to her suit.
Christopher Sarao was assisting other injured passengers when a fallen spar struck his forehead. His wife, Diane Sarao, claims she has suffered “recurring distressing dreams about the event,” indicating ongoing emotional trauma.
Legal Claims
All three suits allege negligence on the part of Grace Bailey Navigation Co. Inc. and the vessel. McCann’s complaint adds a “maintenance and cure” count, arguing that the crew’s responsibilities as part of the vessel’s service were breached. The Saraos’ amended complaint expands the scope of defendants, attaching negligence claims against the ship’s crew, former owners, and the firms responsible for repairs and examinations leading up to the accident.
Grace Bailey Navigation Co. Inc. has not yet provided a statement regarding the filings.
The Vessel
The Grace Bailey is a two‑masted schooner that dates back to 1882. After a comprehensive restoration in 1990, the vessel has served as a charter ship in the Rockland area. Its history includes several non‑fatal incidents, but the October 2023 accident marked the first time the schooner was involved in a fatality.
Current Status
The lawsuits are newly filed and the court has yet to set hearing dates. Plaintiffs seek monetary relief for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. They also aim to hold the schooner’s owners, crew, and maintenance providers accountable for alleged lapses that led to the mast’s collapse.
As the legal process unfolds, the case may prompt a broader review of safety inspections and maintenance protocols for historic vessels operating in Maine waters.
