National Harbormaster Appreciation Day | Thank your harbormaster!

Celebrate Your Harbormaster on 10/8/2024.
IDEAS FOR HOW TO CELEBRATE

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Coastal communities around the country celebrate their Harbormasters on Thursday, Oct. 8th!

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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.

WHAT DO HARBORMASTERS DO?

MEET OUR HARBORMASTERS

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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) […]

Mario W. Bandeira -- Harbormaster, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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 […]

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 […]

Timothy Petrick – Crescent City, CA

I’ve been with Crescent City Harbor District for about 10 months now. I’ve been Harbormaster/CEO since February 2021. Before that I was Harbormaster of Richmond Yacht Club and at sea […]

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 […]

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 […]

Captain Jim Suber, Dockmaster, Jacksonville, FL

Captain Jim Suber – Jacksonville, FL

I am the Waterways Coordinator/Dock Master for the City of Jacksonville. After 32 years in Law Enforcement (including Marine Enforcement) I retired, and was offered this position in September 2006. We […]