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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.

Fred Brisbois – Guilford, CT

I am a 25 year Army veteran helicopter pilot and retired from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation after a 29 year career in aviation and system safety engineering. I was appointed as […]

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 […]

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

I am originally from Seattle area coming to the Bay Area with about 4 years into San Francisco.  Prior to SF, I was with the Port of Everett, WA. operating […]

Kristin Forster -- Harbormaster in Port Austin, MI

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. […]

Aerial view of Norwalk Harbor in Connecticut. Submitted by B. Lavallo

Bruce Lovallo – Norwalk, CT

I started as Norwalk’s Deputy Harbormaster 2018, and was appointed Harbormaster in 2021. My responsibilities include overseeing moorings and various projects impacting the harbor. I retired after 24yr career in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Matthew Creswell -- Harbormaster in Juneau, Alaska

Matthew Creswell – Juneau, AK

Matt Creswell has served as the Juneau, Alaska Harbormaster since March of 2020. Matt’s primary responsibilities include: Managing the operation of four small boat harbors (1250 slips), seven launch ramp […]

Harbor of Escanaba, MI. Submitted by S. Sanville.

Shayne Sanville – Escanaba, MI

I have been the Harbor Master at the beautiful Escanaba Marina tucked away in Little Bay De Noc for four years now. Before becoming Harbor Master I managed the family […]

Belmar, NJ

Edward Finlay – Shark River Municipal Marina, NJ

I have been the Harbor Master here at the Shark River Municipal Marina since 2012. Soon after I took over, Super Storm Sandy showed up and decimated my property. It […]

Greg Marsili, Harbormaster in Bristol, RI

Gregg Marsili – Bristol, RI

I have been the Harbormaster in Bristol since retiring from the United States Coast Guard after a 21 year career in 2013. Over the past several years we have made […]

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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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