Lift All Boats

A student lobstering mentorship program

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In 2022, four intrepid students, Cristiano, Mogga, Justin, and Joshua, joined us to launch Lift All Boats, a student lobster mentorship program built to give Maine students without traditional access to the working waterfront a pathway into Maine’s heritage lobster industry.

Part of the beauty of our industry is the tight-knit community around it. But that can also be a challenge for someone who may not have grown up in or around fishing wharves. We want to give kids with no industry connection who wouldn’t know where to start, or might be afraid they don’t fit in, a chance to get on the water and gain an appreciation for this beloved industry.

Since its maiden voyage in 2022, 41 students have been able to spend their summer days lobstering under the mentorship of our co-founders and a growing team of mentors. The students spend 50+ hours each summer on the water and the docks learning how to set and haul traps, maintain their gear, and operate a boat safely. Luke’s buys their catch at market price at our wharf in Portland, Maine. The program covers all costs, pays attendance stipends, provides free transportation to the wharf, and of course includes meals at our flagship restaurant.

Luke’s remains the primary supporting partner for Lift All Boats, which is now its own growing 501(c)3 nonprofit. You can support with your own tax deductible contribution here to help us meet the rapidly growing demand (we could only accept 10 out of 43 new applicants in 2025!). If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Lift All Boats project next year, they can learn more and apply here.