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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.
Jacob Aaro – Thorne Bay, AK
I just started as Harbormaster this year. I have 2 harbors to maintain with about 170 slips containing, commercial fish boats, pleasure boats, floatplanes and floathouses. Thorne Bay is extremely […]
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 […]
William Cavill – Menominee, MI
I have been the Harbor Master at the Menominee Marina for the last nineteen years. During my last fifty six years on the water I have done Marine Law Enforcement […]
Bryan LeClerc – Southport, CT
In our small harbor of mostly pleasure boats our Harbor Master, Brian LeClerc, is responsible for a lot of things including: safety drills and safety training; harbor and shoreline inspection; debris […]
Shawn Herbert – Naples, ME
Appointed Harbor Master in January of 2019, I had been Deputy Harbor Master since 2012 and a Marine Patrol Officer since 2010. Naples is a very unique in nature. Similar […]
Katie Traub – Wilmette, IL
I am the Harbor Master at the Wilmette Harbor Club located in the Chicago land area. I have been a dinghy driver for 10 years and I have been the […]
Kristin Forster – Port Austin, MI
I have worked as the Harbormaster at Port Austin State harbor since June 2020. Before taking over as harbor master I worked as a summer worker at local state park. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
INTERVIEWS WITH HARBORMASTERS
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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