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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.
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 […]
Kate McConville – New Shoreham, RI
I was hired as Block Island’s first female Harbormaster in 2020. The Great Salt Pond is a super popular destination along the New England coast. We have 90 transient rental […]
Mario W. Bandeira – Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
My name is Mario, I’m 62 years old, work with marina development and equipment’s (floating docks, boat hoist, forklift and others) here in Brazil for 22 years and as Senior […]
Katherine Pickering – Belfast, ME
I’ve always felt fortunate to work on Belfast Harbor. I started in 1989 at a local boatyard before being appointed as Harbor Master for the City of Belfast in 1993 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Scott Bearhope – River Dunes, NC
“You can rest assured your boat is in good hands at River Dunes. Marina is clean and maintained in pristine condition. Harbormaster Bearhope is attentive to details and responsive to […]
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 […]
Lauren Yoder – Saint Ignace, MI
My name is Lauren Yoder, a young and accomplished Harbormaster at the St. Ignace Municipal Marina. I broke records as a first-year Harbormaster in 2019, including recognition from the DNR […]
Samantha Parker – Sandwich, MA
I am still relatively new to this department but love the staff and slip holders that I have the pleasure of working with. Coming from being a cadet at Mass […]
Scott Story & Rosemary Lesch – Rockport, MA
Scott Story and Rosemary Lesch have been Co-Harbormasters for the town of Rockport for over 30 years. They each came to the job as EMT’s, Maritime Licensed Captains and with […]
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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