Although Memorial Day is more than a week away, preparations are underway for the unofficial start of the summer season.

In other words, Boothbay Harbor and the Damariscotta River are beginning to house more than just rafts of Eider ducks.

For the first time since last October, when Hurricane Sandy ended the season early, boats are again hitting the water and marinas have been working to launch boats in time for the summer season.

At Ocean Point Marina in East Boothbay, crews have been working since the dock's repairs finished in April. Owner Dan Miller said the busy season is still to come, however.

“We've (launched) a lot in the past week,” he said. “Between this week and next were going to keep getting boats ready.

“The season really picks up in the next few weeks and right after school gets out.”

Miller said the marina has been helped this year by a lack of rain, but that the unusually cool temperatures might have kept some people at bay. But, with temperatures firmly in the mid-60s on Friday, crews were at work launching boats.