National Harbormaster Appreciation Day | Thank your harbormaster!

Celebrate Your Harbormaster on 10/8/2024.
IDEAS FOR HOW TO CELEBRATE

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Coastal communities around the country celebrate their Harbormasters on Thursday, Oct. 8th!

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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.

WHAT DO HARBORMASTERS DO?

MEET OUR HARBORMASTERS

Oliver Curry – Southwest Harbor, ME

I started as Southwest Harbor Harbormaster on August 9th 2021. As a lifelong mariner, I’ve worked in most of the harbors around MDI as a deckhand, aquaculture crew, commercial fisherman, […]

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 […]

Don Procko – Mystic, CT

I retired after 35 years as a public school “shop”teacher, a job I loved. After serving on the Harbor Management Commission, I became Harbor Master of Mystic (Stonington and Groton) […]

Eric Donch -- Harbormaster, Stonington, CT

Eric Donch – Stonington, CT

See Weather Forecasts, Marine Weather, Radar, and Harbor Information for Stonington, CT Submitted by Melanie Degler

Mick Dunning - Harbormaster, Sandwich, MA

Mick Dunning – Sandwich, MA

I have been at the Marina for five years. As a graduate from Mass Maritime I sailed as a Merchant Mariner before I came here. I love the location of […]

David Borg, Harbormaster in Whittier, Alaska at 4th of July event. Photo submitted by T. Foster.

David Borg – Whittier, AK

Image submitted by T. Foster.

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 […]

Kristin Forster -- Harbormaster in Port Austin, MI

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. […]

https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/maine/northeast-harbor-me/

John Lemoine – Mount Desert, ME

I have been the Harbormaster for the last 6 years and was the Deputy for 7 years. I am the Harbormaster for the Town of Mount Desert which has 4 […]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pleasure_Pier_in_Galveston,_Texas.jpg

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 […]

Beth Bellis, Harbormaster in Annapolis, MD

Beth Bellis – Annapolis, MD

I have been the Harbormaster in the City of Annapolis for three years. Prior to this, I spent 20 years working as a Natural Resources Police Officer for Maryland. I […]

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 […]