A PRISTINE BEACH.
A RIVER FRONT CITY WITH A LOT TO OFFER.
JUST 40 MINUTES NORTH OF PORTLAND.
BATH, MAINE, HAS BEEN FAMOUS FOR SHIPBUILDING.
THE CITY OF 8500 HAS MANAGED TO MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE.
TOURISTS HAVEN’T REALLY FOUND IT YET AND LOCAL SAY THEY LIKE IT JUST FINE.
>> THAT SEPARATISTS -- SEPARATES US FROM SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR COMMUNITIES.
>> THERE IS JUST ENOUGH TO DO TO KEEP THINGS INTERESTING.
DECADES AGO, THEDOWNTOWN WAS SAVED FROM DEVELOPMENT.
TODAY, THERE IS A RETRO POSTAGE STAMP VIBE.
SHE HAS BEEN CHAIR OF THE CITY COUNCIL SINCE 2007.
>> MALLS ARE STRUGGLING.
WE ARE IN A GREA PLACE.
WE HAVE BECOME A LEADER IN DOWNTOWNS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND IN THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR SO LONG.
>> WE HITCH A RIDE ON THE CITY TROLLEY.
>> WELCOME ABOARD.
>> WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING UP FROM PORTLAND.
YOUNGER PEOPLE, SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE.
IT IS SUCH A WALKABLE, FRIENDLY, SAFE PLACE.
TO LIVE.
>> GRAND HISTORIC HOMES THAT ONCE BELONGED TO SEA CAPTAINS.
A TIDY WATERFRONT PARK.
THE KENNEBEC RIVER RUNS PAST INTO THE GULF OF MAINE.
GARY SMITH.
>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THIS AREA.
THE SCENERY IS GORGEOUS.
THE WATERLOO -- WILDLIFE.
THE NAUTICAL HISTORY, THE SHIPBUILDING.
BATH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT A LOT OF AMERICA BECAME.
WAX HE IS A FORMER LOAD MASTER FOR THE AIR FORCE.
RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTING CARGO AND PASSENGERS.
TODAY, HE BRING CIVILIANS UP AND DOWN THE KENNEBEC.
>> THE TOURS ARE VARYING IN LENGTH.
ANYWHERE FROM ONE HOUR TO ALL DAY.
WE GO IN AND OUT OF THE INTERCOASTAL RIVER WAYS.
>> IS THIS STILL BATH ON THIS SIDE? >> IT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE.
>> THE KENNEBEC RIVER FLOWS 170 MILES FROM ITS ORIGIN.
>> IT IS NAVIGABLE UP TO AGUSTA, MAIN BATH IS LOCATED 12 MILES UPSTREAM IN THE SHIPS CAN NAVIGATE THAT WAY.
>> PRIVATE TOURS ALLOW A BIT OF SPONTANEITY AND EXTRA TIME TO VIEW WILDLIFE.
>> THERE ARE FIVE RIVERS THAT CONVERGE.
THAT FILTERS OUT INTO THE KENNEBEC RIVER.
ALL THE NUTRIENTS BROUGHT IN, FEEDING GROUNDS FOR FISH.
>> JUST AHEAD OF US, BATH IRONWORKS, A DEFENSE CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. NAVY AND THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE AREA.
AFTER 9/11, ACCESS BECAME DIFFICULT.
A CRUISE IS THE BEST WAY TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THIS -- THESE MIGHTY VESSELS.
>> IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE UP TO 5000 PEOPLE WHO COME TO BATH EVERY DAY TO WORK AT THE YARD.
IT IS QUITE A SCENE, YOU SEE EVERYONE LEAVING AT 3:30.
>> A HUGE SOURCE OF CIVIC PRIDE.
>> THEY ARE THE BEST SHIPBUILDERS IN THE WORLD.
>> BACK TO THE TROLLEY.
THAT IS FREE.
LOCALS AND TOURISTS RIDE IT DURING THE SUMMER.
IT GETS PUT AWAY BEFORE COMING OUT IN DECEMBER WHEN IT IS USED TO VIEW HOLIDAY LIGHTS.
OUR CREW COULD NOT GAIN ACCESS BECAUSE OF SECURITY TO THE SHIP YARD, BUT WE ARE TOLD BATH IRONWORKS HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 400 25 SHIPBUILDING CONTRACTS.
MILITARY SHIPS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.