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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.
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
Abby Leonard – Rockport, ME
Abbie has the world’s best attitude, works her stern off, has vision and makes what Charles Kurault once called “America’s most perfect small harbor” even more perfect. One example: she […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Jeffrey Lowell – Boothbay Harbor, ME
Jeff is the most versatile and helpful Harbormaster we have encountered in thirty years of cruising from Florida to Maine. On our recent visit, [1] Jeff greeted us with a […]
Capt. Jeff Dziedzic – Groton, CT
Capt Jeff Dziedzic has been the Groton harbormaster since his Governor appointment in 2003. The waters in his area consist of a large mooring field in Pine Island Bay, 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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