Harbormaster Mark Souza reported on an “amazing“ summer on Marblehead waters, at the annual Harbormaster’s Breakfast at the Dolphin Yacht Club on Oct. 9. Public safety officials and leaders from the local yacht clubs and launch services were in attendance.
“We had one of our lowest calls-for-service seasons I’ve had since I’ve been here, so that shows safe boating, responsibility on the water and just a careful experience for everybody out there,” Souza said.
“There were no barge fires, no whales,” he added, prompting a laugh from the crowd of about 75 people. In the summer of 2024, the July 4 fireworks barge burst into flames and a deceased humpback whale came ashore not once, but twice.
New patrol boat
Souza passed around photos of the town’s new patrol boat, which was purchased with a grant. The boat was built in Washington State and should arrive in Marblehead Harbor next month. It will be named the Stacey Clark, in honor of its predecessor.
The new boat has full firefighter capabilities and a communications center, according to Souza. “It’s an all aluminum craft, so it’s pretty durable.”
Souza also spoke about the town losing a $519,193 grant for a coastal resiliency project at State Street Landing and Tucker’s Wharf, where his office is located. The project will “provide seawall repair and updating, along with pier construction/repair. It would also have designs for 30,50 and 70 year sea rise projections.”
Souza added: “We’re still moving forward with it, and the Harbor and Waters Board has agreed to do whatever they can to fund it and bond it… We’ll need to find a resolution to the funding and how to get this, because it’s not ‘should we do this?’ It’s a ‘we have to do this’ project,” Souza said.
The town is using a new program to manage mooring waitlists.
“It should be a lot more seamless,” Souza added.
There are 1,800 moorings in Marblehead Harbor and another 1,200 on the Salem side. The wait for a mooring in Marblehead Harbor is about 20 years, he said.
Wrapping up his remarks, Souza thanked everyone who works and volunteers on the harbor.
“I cannot be happier with what I do for a living and where I do it. I’m very proud of being part of this town. I’m not a resident, but I feel everybody here makes me feel like I’m a part of the community. I try to convey that I care about this community as much as my job.”
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
