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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.
Charlie Helms – Crescent City, CA
I’ve been the Harbor Master here in Crescent City for the past six and a half years. I started my maritime career as a deckhand on towboats on the Mississippi […]
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 […]
Tom Bell – Darien, CT
I am the volunteer Harbormaster for the 7 harbors in our town. I’ve been the Harbormaster for 9 years. One of the best parts of my job is helping people […]
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. […]
Rick Brass – Washington, NC
I’ve been a sailor since my Grandfather and I built my first boat 56 years ago. After a career in engineering and marketing, I retired early to go cruising. I […]
Thomas Phillips – Eliot, ME
I have been Deputy Harbormaster since 2014 for the Eliot shoreline and we have 184 moorings. I have known the Piscataqua River since 1975 and am an avid fisherman. Submitted […]
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 […]
Fred Brisbois – Guilford, CT
I am a 25 year Army veteran helicopter pilot and retired from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation after a 29 year career in aviation and system safety engineering. I was appointed as […]
Kenneth Walberg – Falmouth, ME
My husband, my harbormaster..Kenny has loved the sea since younger days. He joined and serviced in The USCG for 27 yrs, ending his career here in Maine. He had an […]
Lee Everett – Morehead City, NC
I have been Dockmaster for Morehead City, NC since August 2016 when the position was created. I manage our 11 slip transient dock facility, 17 city owned annual lease slips, […]
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 […]
Scott Grindy – San Francisco Marina & Small Craft Harbor, CA
I am originally from Seattle area coming to the Bay Area with about 4 years into San Francisco. Prior to SF, I was with the Port of Everett, WA. operating […]
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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