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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 O’Kelley – Galveston, TX
I am the Senior Harbormaster for the Galveston Wharves (Port of Galveston – Port Authority). I have been in the Operations Department/Harbormaster’s role since June of 2018. Prior to this […]
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 […]
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 […]
John Brosnihan – Kittery & Kittery Point, ME
I’ve been Harbormaster in Kittery since June 2018. Prior to that I was a police officer with the Kittery Police Department for 18 years. I retired as a Patrol Sergeant. […]
Robert Ganem – Somerset, MA
Robert “Buster” Ganem has been working tirelessly for the boating community in Somerset, MA since 1991. Ensuring safety and fun on the local waters. He is also an Hero, in […]
Travas Taylor – Lexington, MI
I’ve worked at Lexington State Harbor here in Michigan for three years now, and as harbormaster for two. I love the close-knit community where everyone is very friendly and willing […]
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 […]
Share a Story, Photo, or Video of Your Harbormaster!
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your harbormaster — they deserve the recognition!
Thomas Ciarametaro – Gloucester, MA
I have been the Harbormaster for 3 years for the City of Gloucester. Before that, I was Active Duty USCG for 11 years and still continue to serve in 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. […]
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 […]
INTERVIEWS WITH HARBORMASTERS
National Harbormaster Appreciation Day is brought to you annually by US Harbors.
2020 HARBORMASTER DAY SPONSORS
US Harbors is grateful to our Partner Sponsors for supporting this year's Harbormaster Appreciation Day activities.
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