The Maine Marine Patrol has launched the newest and largest patrol vessel in its fleet, the 57-foot P/V Allegiance, which will support safer and more effective offshore patrols, according to the Maine Marine Patrol, in a news release. The vessel was officially put into service on Thursday, June 11, during a christening event at Perry’s Lobster in Surry.

“Maine Marine Patrol routinely patrols commercial fishing activity offshore and hauls and inspects tens of thousands of lobster traps annually,” said Marine Patrol Colonel Matt Talbot, in the news release.

“While still capable of supporting Marine Patrol’s mission near shore, the new vessel will better position Marine Patrol to conduct offshore commercial fisheries enforcement, including the ability to safely haul and inspect large lobster trawls in federal waters,” said Colonel Talbot.

The vessel will also be used to respond to search and rescue incidents, monitor fisheries in addition to Lobster including scallop, Atlantic Herring, Menhaden, and Groundfish, and others.

The P/V Allegiance will be based in Boothbay Harbor and assigned to Marine Patrol Specialist Evan Whidden. It replaces the 29-year-old, 35-foot P/V Vigilant.

The P/V Allegiance was constructed and finished by Wesmac Custom Boats in Surry.

“This is the fifth patrol vessel built or refitted by Wesmac and we are once again very pleased with the quality of work and attention to detail by the Wesmac team,” said Colonel Talbot.

The P/V Allegiance is powered by a low-emission Tier 4 Man Diesel V-12 1450hp engine which can cruise in excess of 20 knots. It is equipped with state-of-the-art Furuno navigation electronics, and a heavy duty 17-inch hauler. It has significant deck space and an open stern which will allow Officers to safely handle and set back the larger offshore lobster trawls Marine Patrol Officers will be inspecting. The vessel is also equipped to carry a 15-foot Ribcraft Rigid Hull Inflatable boat on deck, which can be used for at-sea boardings to check vessels for compliance with marine resources laws.

Take the 1980s sitcom, “The Golden Girls.” The four older women sharing a home in that series formed close friendships. But homesharing — the practice of renting out a bedroom in one’s home — can also be a practical way to save money and take full advantage of a property.

Advocates seeking to promote homesharing estimate that leasing just 10 percent of the state’s 500,000 unoccupied spare bedrooms would be the equivalent of building $25 billion in new housing. And proponents, including community development financing organization BlueHub Capital, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, are pushing for new laws that aim to turn homesharing from a niche practice into a genuine solution.

And amid burgeoning interest in homesharing, several companies have created platforms to facilitate it, like HomeShare Online, Nesterly, and SpareRoom. Some of these companies provide a website for potential roommates to find each other while others also offer background checks, personalized matching, help crafting legal agreements, and assistance navigating disputes.

Usually, homesharing involves sharing common areas in addition to having a private bedroom. Sometimes, a guest will exchange domestic tasks for reduced rent. A typical host might be an older adult who lives alone and wants help or extra income. A guest might be a student or single adult seeking inexpensive rent.

But sharing space with strangers can be tricky.

Honey Donegan, 77, who works part-time as a nanny, lives in a 2,500-square-foot home in Quechee, Vermont, and has turned to homesharing for companionship.

Her first guest didn’t work out — she was an older woman who ultimately decided to live with a family member. But then Donegan matched with Kayla Mazza, 31, through the nonprofit HomeShare Vermont. Mazza is a data and systems manager at a social services nonprofit who had trouble finding inexpensive housing near her job. They’ve lived together for two years. “It’s wonderful,” Donegan says. “It’s like having a daughter you’re not angry with.”

Most evenings, Donegan and Mazza watch “Jeopardy” together. They share a kitchen and occasionally a meal. Donegan loves hearing the younger woman’s perspective on work and politics. “We have separate lives, but we enjoy one another,” Donegan says.

Homeshare Vermont spokesperson Ric Cengeri said the organization conducts background checks, matches people by hand, negotiates contracts, and provides case management. At the moment, the program has matched around 300 people living in homesharing agreements, with the average match lasting 21 months.

One reason the Vermont program may have succeeded is that it is relatively small and has a human touch, with staff working closely with the host and guest to craft contracts and resolve disagreements. It’s also heavily subsidized with money from a state legislative appropriation through the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, federal government matching funds, and foundation grants, so the fees are affordable: A one-time fee of between $60 and $500 when a match is made is applied on a sliding scale, based on income.

The Vermont program, modest as it is, suggests that homesharing could have a future. But the struggles of other pilots point to some of the model‘s limitations.

Although homesharing appeals to some, others worry about living with strangers. An older adult’s health needs can get in the way, if a host expects or needs more help than a guest is prepared to give. Sometimes, there are personality clashes.

Martha’s Vineyard might seem like a perfect place for homesharing. Cindy Trish, executive director of Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard, said the island is filled with older adults with large homes, while younger professionals can’t find housing. And in June 2022, Healthy Aging launched a homesharing pilot program.

The surprising conclusion: It wasn’t viable. Program staff interviewed 13 hosts and 30 guests and identified just four potential matches, who were referred to a mediation agency to negotiate agreements. Only one pair signed a contract.

Trish said hosts often had more home health care needs than guests could meet, and the accommodations frequently didn’t meet guests’ expectations.

Elsewhere, the state of Maine partnered with Nesterly on a two-year pilot program, which ended in early 2026. Erik Jorgensen, senior director of government relations at Maine State Housing Authority, said because the program was statewide and lacked sufficient marketing, it had trouble attracting a critical mass of guests and hosts in any one location. Jorgensen said more than 500 potential hosts and guests created profiles, but only 11 homeshares were actually booked.

Nesterly CEO Noelle Marcus said the organization continued making matches after the pilot ended and has made about three dozen matches altogether. She’s seeking funding from local organizations to continue the program.

Nesterly also ran a pilot program in Boston in 2017 under Mayor Marty Walsh, which was paused during COVID-19 and not renewed by Mayor Michelle Wu.

There is talk of some legal changes that might make homesharing more attractive — making it easier for landlords to evict lodgers, for instance. Financial incentives — either to incentivize homeowners to rent rooms or to cover administrative costs for homesharing organizations — could help, too.

Portland, Ore. just launched a 12-month pilot program giving grants to homeowners who rent out spare rooms. HomeShare Vermont relies, in part, on $318,000 in state grants to cover its overhead expenses.

But ultimately, it may be a different kind of homesharing that takes hold — one that caters to the instinct for privacy.

Massachusetts has had early success with new laws encouraging construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small living units located on the same property as a single-family home. In 2025, around 1,200 new units were permitted, according to state data. For renters seeking private living units or seniors concerned about sharing common space, renting an ADU could provide privacy for both parties while still letting a guest swap some household tasks for a discount.

Homesharing, or really any attempt to squeeze more out of our existing properties — allowing for ADUs, rezoning single-family lots to allow two-family homes — will not completely solve Massachusetts’ housing crisis. Ultimately, we need to build more housing.

But done right, homesharing can contribute in a small way. And we could use any contribution we can get.

Shira Schoenberg can be reached at shira.schoenberg@globe.com. Follow her @shiraschoenberg.

As the famous saying goes: “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” And as all frequent travelers know: Things never go according to plan.

We thought our timing was perfect for an early summer family getaway to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. We had three kids in tow, ages 11, 8, and 6, who were unexpectedly out of school one week earlier than most other school districts in New England. What a coup! We’d have the Lakes Region practically to ourselves before the summer crowds and family vacationers arrived.

Located about two hours from Boston, just south of the White Mountains, this picturesque region is dotted with more than 270 bodies of water and surrounded by rolling hills and rural farmlands. Lake Winnipesaukee is its hub and centerpiece. From bustling Meredith on the west side of the lake to quaint Wolfeboro on the eastern edge, there are plenty of activities for a great family vacation around this sparkly blue, 72-square-acre lake, affectionately known as Lake Winni. We thought of picnics on the beach, nature walks, boat rides, maybe a visit to the giant Funspot arcade and a round of mini golf, and, of course, an uncrowded, unhurried visit to Weirs Beach and its lakefront boardwalk. We packed our swimsuits, swimming clogs, and hiking boots, and hit the road.

“Wow, there are a lot of motorcycles on the road,” the 11-year-old said from the backseat. “It’s so loud!” shouted the 6-year-old, as a large group of motorcyclists rumbled past us. Hmm. There were a lot of motorcyclists heading in the same direction that we were. Surprise! It was Laconia Motorcycle Week, the world’s oldest motorcycle rally, celebrating its 103rd anniversary. The eight-day event, centered around the Lakes Region, typically attracts up to 300,000 people. Well, this would change things.

The saving grace turned out to be our choice of lodging, The Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton, a former dairy farm spread across 500 acres, overlooking Lake Winnisquam with distant views of Lake Winnipesaukee (summer starting room rates $220). Initially, we were a little wary of the location, a bit away from the center of Lake Winni action, about a 30-minute drive to Weirs Beach and the town of Meredith. But we were enticed by the resort’s ultra family-friendly amenities. First, were the accommodations, featuring modern two-bedroom suites, with full kitchens, separate living areas, in-room laundry facilities, and private balconies. Second, were the resort’s extensive facilities, including two outdoor pools with hot tubs and large poolside lounging areas, and two indoor pools including one 30,000-square-foot complex with a large pool and water slide, kiddie pools, and hot tubs. There were playgrounds, outdoor grills and picnic areas, a nine-hole golf course, a fishing pond, laser tag, sports courts, bike rentals, walking trails, and a slew of daily activities that included nature scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, ice cream socials, s’mores, and more. There were also a restaurant and lounge on-site. The fact that the resort was tucked away from the most popular centers turned out to be a lucky choice given that it was Bike Week. It became our welcome oasis during our three-night, four-day getaway.

The days worked into an easy cadence. We’d have breakfast in the suite, spend a couple hours at the pool, and head out for a daily excursion, returning in the afternoon for more pool time, games, and dinner. We deviated one day for breakfast at the quirky and old-fashioned Heritage Farm Pancake House in Winnisquam. It’s a rustic, working sugarhouse and petting farm with pancakes and their own wood-fired maple syrup, fresh eggs, bacon, and sausage served family-style from large platters.

Of course, we went to Weirs Beach early one morning. The Main Street, closed to cars during Bike Week, was clogged with hundreds of motorcycles, and lined with vendors selling T-shirts and biker gear. It made for great people watching, and interesting comments from the kids. Out of the mouths of babes: “There are a lot of people with a lot of tattoos!” “And a lot of old men with beards!” We grabbed fresh squeezed lemonades and walked to the beach, which was blissfully uncrowded.

Bike Week or not, Weirs Beach is known for its honky-tonk, party atmosphere, filled with souvenir shops and casual bars and restaurants. It has a scenic boardwalk with views of Lake Winnipesaukee and is the starting point for a one-hour train ride along Paugus Bay to Lakeport and back. This is also where you can board the historic M/S Mount Washington for a narrated cruise of Lake Winni. It’s a nice way to get on the lake, with lots of history and local lore thrown in.

There was mini-golf (Pirate’s Cove is the best option with courses in Winnisquam and Meredith), a hike up West Rattlesnake Mountain, an easy 1.7-mile or so out and back trek with great views from the top, and a visit to Funspot, holding the Guinness Book of Records title as the largest arcade in the world by number of games, more than 600 at last count. We all had a blast.

“Can we go to the pool?” the kids pleaded on our last day, as we were checking out. We did, and we also stopped for one last vacation activity, a visit to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, which we thought might be a nice contrast to the arcade, mini-golf, and Weirs Beach activities. We took the self-guided tour along the Live Animal Exhibit Trail, an easy ¾-mile walk through meadows, forests, and marshlands, with hands-on exhibits about local flora and fauna, and views of rescued and rehabilitated black bears, bobcats, river otters, raptors, and more. And it was blissfully quiet and uncrowded.

Our timing wasn’t perfect, but sometimes you just gotta go with the flow and fall into a little luck (looking at you Steele Hill.)

“Look! More motorcycles!” the kids screamed from the back seat. Yep, they were all heading north while we traveled south, heading home. For more information, visit www.lakesregion.org.

Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at bairwright@gmail.com