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Harbormasters are the stewards of our harbors – the center of our coastal communities. They manage the overall ecosystem, including moorings and docks, harbor uses and harbor users, and interactions between local, state and federal government. Of all of our public stewards (police, EMT, fire etc.) these men and women receive the least recognition.

Harbormaster Appreciation Day* -- a day to honor our U.S. Harbormasters and the great work they do -- occurs annually on October 8th.

* National Harbormaster Appreciation Day is registered with the National Day Archive.

Share something about your harbormaster!

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We want to hear from you. Let us know about your harbormaster — they deserve the recognition!

Ryan Rossi – Chilmark/Menemsha, MA

Ryan Rossi is the best harbormaster ever! Just recently appointed as the Harbormaster in Menemsha on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s been Ryan’s dream to be a harbormaster since he was a […]

Seal of Aventura Florida

Bill Draughon – Aventura, FL

I have been the Marina Director for 37 years. I have always been working on boats or in the marina my whole career. We have a beautiful 80 acre residential […]

Charlie Farlow – Cape Charles, VA

I retired from Virginia Beach Fire Dept. 4 years age and became Harbor Master of Cape Charles VA. I have been on or around the water all my life with […]

Dave Crocker, Harbormaster in Waterford, CT. Image by J. Hughes.

David Crocker – Waterford, CT

David Crocker is the Harbormaster for Waterford, CT. He is also Vice President of Crocker’s Marina and Boat Yard, the largest boat yard in the Thames River. Dave’s responsibilities include […]

Paul Plummer - Harbormaster in Harpswell, ME

Paul Plummer – Harpswell, ME

The Town of Harpswell has 216 Miles of coastline, with approximately 2,400 moorings (the most in Maine).  I’ve been with the Town of Harpswell since May of 2017. Before Harpswell, […]

Charlie Phippen - Harbormaster in Bar Harbor, ME

Charlie Phippen – Bar Harbor, ME

I’m a retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer and I have worked for the Town of Bar Harbor for twenty years as Harbormaster. I feel a Harbormaster is like a […]

Paul Blank – Newport Harbor, CA

I have been part of the Newport Harbor community since I completed City of Newport Beach Recreation Department sailing lessons as a child. That early introduction to sailing has led […]

Port of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wayne Johnson – Milwaukee, WI

I’ve been the harbormaster since 2010. The Port of Milwaukee is a department of the city of Milwaukee municipality. Currently have 40 years in city employment. Port Milwaukee is a […]

Steve Melo - Harbormaster in Dartmouth, MA

Steve Melo – Padanaram, MA

I’ve served as the Padanaram / Dartmouth Harbormaster since 2004, and also as the Town’s Shellfish Officer since 2012. Prior to this calling, I was a seasonal Assistant Harbormaster for […]

Mason Lemon, Shelter Cove Marina, Hilton Head, SC

Mason Lemon – Shelter Cove Marina – Hilton Head, SC

Shelter Cove Marina Harbormaster, Mason Lemon, is an exceptional example of what customer service should look like. We continuously receive reviews from our guests about how he goes above and […]

Justine Seavey, Harbormaster Bass Harbor, ME

Justin Seavey – Bass Harbor, ME

I’ve been on the job here for over 4 years now. I enjoy working with all the fisherman, and meeting new people throughout the summer. I also enjoy helping out […]

Are You a Harbormaster?

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We want to know about you and your harbor! Let people know about what you do.

National Harbormaster Appreciation Day is brought to you annually by US Harbors.

2024 HARBORMASTER DAY SPONSORS

US Harbors is grateful to our Partner Sponsors for supporting this year's Harbormaster Appreciation Day activities. 

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