“Rough seas make stronger sailors. Tough times build greater people.”-Robin Sharma.
The two-man crew of Central Maine Power’s High Voltage are intimately familiar with the challenges of Maine’s rough seas, as they spend their days traveling to and from the islands off the coast of Casco Bay. Each day, Lenny Bickford, the Island Lead, and his crewmate CMP First Class Lineworker Jeff Quirk maintain power for the Casco Bay Islands by performing routine service, addressing outages and responding to storms that impact our customers.
Lenny has been servicing the islands for over 30 years and at this point, there isn’t much that can be thrown his way that he can’t handle. He and Jeff have their day-to-day operations down to a science, working together like a well-oiled machine. So, when Lenny and Jeff recently encountered a dangerous situation and saw fellow Mainers in need of assistance, they knew they could help and did so without pause.
On a brisk day in mid-March, the High Voltage crew was returning from work on Long Island when Lenny spotted a boat that seemed to be in distress. As the High Voltage approached the boat, Lenny and Jeff learned of the crews’ engine troubles, and with rough sea conditions, jumped into action to ensure their fellow sailors’ safety.
“We lost our engine in rough seas,” said Joe Ricci of C.P.M. Constructors. “They responded and were able to keep us from crashing up on shore of House Island. They got to us quicker than the Coast Guard and took us under tow back to safe harbor. The captain and crew deserve major kudos for their acts exhibiting professionalism, ability, boat handling, seamanship and courtesy.”
To the crew of the High Voltage, going above and beyond is all in a day’s work.
“This is what we do,” said Bickford. “Our job is to help our fellow Mainers every day, and that is a commitment that we take seriously.”
Mainers helping Mainers.