Maritime Day Events Support Next Generation of Mariners

Maritime Day Events Support Next Generation of Mariners

April 6, 2026

The Galveston Wharves and its port partners will commemorate National Maritime Day on May 22 with events to encourage future generations to work in the maritime industry. We’ll host a free public event and commemorative ceremony at Pier 21, followed by a scholarship fundraising luncheon at Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant.

Maritime Day has been nationally recognized since 1933 as a time to honor the contributions of the maritime industry, and in particular merchant marines, to strengthen the U.S. economy and secure our nation. The port has commemorated Maritime Day with a public event for almost 20 years to recognize all who work in the industry. 

This year’s event, hosted by the Galveston Wharves and presenting sponsor Moody Bank, will be our biggest yet. We’ll have vessel tours, information booths and our annual ceremony to commemorate and honor all who work or have worked in the maritime industry. Last year more than 500 people attended, including industry leaders, elected officials and students interested in learning about careers on and around the water.

The event is free and open to the public, so mark your calendars for 8:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Pier 21. The commemorative ceremony, at 10:30 a.m., will include a color guard, speakers and a wreath laying.

We encourage anyone interested in learning more about our maritime industry to visit, especially families, educators and students.

Scholarship Fundraiser

The public event will be followed by a scholarship luncheon to raise funds for our maritime scholarship endowments at Texas A&M University – Galveston and Galveston College. The port established the endowments with proceeds from bicentennial sponsorships during its 200^th anniversary celebration in 2025.

I’m pleased to announce that Philip Burns-O’Brien, an executive with Davie Defense Inc., will be our guest speaker. As a new port tenant, Davie has announced plans to expand the Gulf Copper shipyard on Pelican Island to build icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard. 

A limited number of table sponsorships are still available for this special event to be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant, 2200 Harborside Dr. Table sponsorships can be purchased here. Email Kathy Thomas, port communications director, for sponsor and event details (kathy@communitystrategiesllc.com). 

Awarding scholarships for maritime-related careers and trades helps the port and its port partners meet a critical need for qualified personnel to staff local operations, while benefiting students and the growing maritime economy.

The maritime industry supports a wide range of businesses and jobs, including ship pilots, ship crews, barge and tugboat crews, cargo handlers, shipping stevedores, onshore cruise staff, shipbuilders, truck drivers, railroad workers, construction workers, administrative staffs and many more.

We’re a major U.S. cargo port and the fourth busiest cruise port in the U.S. thanks to the dedication and hard work of those who crew the vessels that sail from the port and the thousands of workers who support the maritime industry.

I’m incredibly proud of the role the Galveston Wharves plays in developing the next generation, thanks to the leadership of our Wharves Board of Trustees and the generous support of our port partners.

Rodger Rees is Galveston Wharves port director and CEO.