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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.
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. […]
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 […]
Ross Hatfield – Housatonic River Stratford, CT
I have been Harbormaster since 2004 before that Deputy since 1999. Our Deputy is Tom Fahy we patrol 10 miles of the River which runs 150 miles from its source […]
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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
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 […]
Steve Hope – New Harbor, ME
“Steve Hope has been serving our community for years, and I personally think his experience and knowledge of the area and being on the water, combined with the history and […]
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 […]
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 […]
David Crocker – Waterford, CT
David Crocker is the Harbormaster for Waterford, CT. He is also Vice President of Crocker’s Marina and Boat Yard, the largest boat yard in the Thames River. Dave’s responsibilities include […]
Blake Anderson – Santa Cruz, CA
I started my career at the harbor as a Deputy Harbormaster working the night shift in 2009. I became Harbormaster in February of 2020. Our 1000 slip harbor is the […]
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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