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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.
Charlie Helms – Crescent City, CA
I’ve been the Harbor Master here in Crescent City for the past six and a half years. I started my maritime career as a deckhand on towboats on the Mississippi […]
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 […]
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 […]
Share a Story, Photo, or Video of Your Harbormaster!
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your harbormaster — they deserve the recognition!
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Mark Souza – Marblehead, MA
I have been working for the town of Marblehead now since Feb. of 2017. I was the Deputy Harbor master for the Town of Beverly Ma. prior. I also worked […]
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 […]
Layla Jandt-Pedersen – Seldovia, AK
I am the Harbor Master in Seldovia Alaska located on the south side of Kachemak Bay I have been the Harbor Master here for 10 years now. See Weather Forecasts, Marine […]
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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