10 miles off the coast of central Maine, Don’t Miss the Little Island of Monhegan. But it’s one of the most unique places Amazon delivers.
There are no paved roads and no car ferries to the rocky islands. Here he lives year-round, about 70 people, most of whom travel on foot or in golf carts as he travels around the one-square-mile island.
In late spring and summer, Monhegan sees hundreds of visitors a day. They explore the many hiking trails, birdwatching, painting on the shore, and from the top of the island he just takes in the 360-degree ocean views.
When autumn arrives, the island begins hibernating for the winter. Low temperatures average 18 degrees Fahrenheit, and wind gusts average over 18 mph. Only post offices, general stores and schools are open.
But thanks to an interconnected logistics network and partnerships with third-party carriers, Amazon delivers to Monhegan year-round.
After a Monhegan Resident’s package passes through one of our US sorting centers, Amazon’s third-party carrier picks up the package and delivers it to Port Clyde, Maine. That’s where Andy Barstow, the owner of his line of Monhegan boats, takes them to the island.
Barstow and his team load the cargo onto a 65-foot wooden boat. Laura B. of Laura B. A lifeline for island residents delivering Amazon packages, mail, and other essentials.
“We hauled backhoes, goats, hogs, cows, water, fuel, building materials and televisions,” said Barstow, whose family has owned the Monhegan Boat Line since 1976. That’s what his father always said. ”
of Laura B. Built in 1943 and commissioned by Army Convoys for use in World War II.of Laura B.— then known as the T-57 — sailed the South Pacific as a patrol boat, carrying troops, supplies and two .50 caliber machine guns on deck.
of Laura B. has been sailing to Monhegan since 1953 and still has 90% of its original wood planking and frame.
“She’s the best kept wooden ship on the East Coast,” Barstow said.
one time Laura B. Upon arrival at Monhegan’s dock, the island’s postman, Angela Ianichelli, loads a pickup truck for delivery.
“I am very happy that this is the last step in allowing people to live and work here,” said Iannicelli. “It’s much cheaper to order online and have someone deliver it to your door.”
Iannicelli has lived on the island for over 18 years and has been delivering mail and parcels for 8 years. She’s a familiar face to everyone who lives in Monhegan year-round, especially small business owners and residents who rely on her Amazon deliveries.
One of those customers is longtime Monhegan resident Sue Nelson. She and her husband Holden own The Monhegan House, an island bed and breakfast, as well as restaurants and shops.
“It’s a hard place to get to, so being in a place like this, having a service like Amazon is just a godsend,” says Nelson. “It changed the way we do business.”
Before Amazon started delivering to Monhegan, Nelson and other residents had to take hours-long ferries to and from the mainland just to receive basic goods. These trips often take several days, depending on the boat schedule and shopping list.
“Now I just open the door to my office and open the package, which is great,” Nelson said with a laugh. “I named it and bought it from Amazon.”
Amazon is proud to support the communities we serve and recently announced the launch of affordable housing so people can live and work on the island year-round. Donated $25,000 to the Monhegan Island Sustainable Community Association.
