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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.

Steve Melo - Harbormaster in Dartmouth, MA

Steve Melo – Padanaram, MA

I’ve served as the Padanaram / Dartmouth Harbormaster since 2004, and also as the Town’s Shellfish Officer since 2012. Prior to this calling, I was a seasonal Assistant Harbormaster for […]

Seal of Aventura Florida

Bill Draughon – Aventura, FL

I have been the Marina Director for 37 years. I have always been working on boats or in the marina my whole career. We have a beautiful 80 acre residential […]

Harbormaster Robert Ganem - Somerset MA

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 […]

Washington NC public doc staff.

Captain Rick Brass – Washington, NC

I am the dockmaster at the Washington Waterfront Docks, a municipal marina on the Pamlico River about 25 SM west of the ICW in North Carolina. Washington is a friendly […]

Justine Seavey, Harbormaster Bass Harbor, ME

Justin Seavey – Bass Harbor, ME

I’ve been on the job here for over 4 years now. I enjoy working with all the fisherman, and meeting new people throughout the summer. I also enjoy helping out […]

Scott Grindy – San Francisco Marina and Small Craft Harbor, CA

Over 35 years of professional experience in the Management of Personnel, Capital Projects, Facilities Management, Capital and Operational Budgets, Public Works, Building & Engineering Design, Parks and Recreation, Building-Campus Operations, […]

Dana B. Rice, Sr. -- Gouldsboro ME Harbormaster

Dana B. Rice Sr. – Gouldsboro, ME

I’ve been Gouldsboro’s Harbormaster for more than 40 years. Gouldsboro has six harbors and several anchorage areas. We have approximately 175 moorings for mostly commercial boats, but also pleasure boats. […]

http://westportisland.us/community/our-history

Daniel Bradford – Westport Island, ME

I’m the Deputy Harbormaster at Westport Island.

Charlie Phippen - Harbormaster in Bar Harbor, ME

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 […]

Katherine Pickering, Harbormaster in Belfast, ME

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Are You a Harbormaster?

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

We want to know about you and your harbor! Let people know about what you do.

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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