BELFAST — Everyone loves a good story, yet too often, the best ones told disappear when when the storyteller passes on. On March 29, the Colonial Theatre will host the first Salted Tales: Stories from the Sea told live from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“We were thinking of the Moth Radio Hour when we came up with this idea,” said Mike Hurley, co-owner of Colonial Theatre. “Our primary concern is to not have too many yachting stories or too many schooner captains, but it’s the working people on the ocean that usually have the most amazing stories.”

Storytellers’ backgrounds will range from U.S. Navy sailor to tug boat captain to commercial fisherman. “Right now we’re getting stories from merchant marines, military navy, commercial fishermen, tugboat captains, and working mariners,” said Hurley.

Story highlights will include a man who was on a burning aircraft carrier and survived when 45 others perished. Another man was captured by Somali pirates and rescued by British officials.

Invariably, Hurley hopes that once people in the audience hear some of the stories, they will be reminded of other stories that need to be told and contribute for future Salted Tales event.

There will be 10 tellers with a story time allowance of eight minutes.The first six stories will be told, followed by intermission, and the last four stories.

There will be time for networking after the event.

Salted Tales: Stories From the Sea Told Live is a joint presentation of the Colonial Theater and Penobscot Marine Museum.  Refreshments will be available at intermission. Admission is $5, Penobscot Marine Museum members are free.  For more information call Mike Hurley, 338-1975, or Kathy Goldner, 548-2529 ext 216.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com