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May 7, 2026
GALVESTON, TX (Thursday, May 7, 2026) – The Port of Galveston will commemorate National Maritime Day with a free public event 8:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Pier 21. Sponsored by Moody Bank, the event will include vessel tours, maritime-related booths and a commemoration ceremony at 10 a.m.
Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “The port has recognized the contribution of mariners on Maritime Day for almost 20 years. We invite everyone to attend and take advantage of this special opportunity to learn more about maritime careers and the maritime industry.”
Exhibits will include a Galveston Texas City Pilots vessel and a Port of Galveston Police Department marine response vessel, as well in booths by Galveston Seafarers Center, Galveston Naval Museum, and Visit Galveston. A Bay-Houston Towing tugboat will perform a water cannon salute and maneuvers in front of the pier between 9 and 10 a.m.
During the ceremony, port police will set a wreath at the merchant marine World War II memorial plaque. Keynote speaker will be Col. (Ret.) Michael E. Fossum, vice president, Texas A&M University; chief operating officer, Texas A&M University at Galveston; and superintendent, Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Col. Fossum will speak about the importance of maritime careers and the need for workers to support the growing maritime industry.
Galveston College President Dr. W. Myles Shelton will speak about maritime-related careers and skills training at Galveston's public community college.
About Galveston’s National Maritime Day
The Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston has commemorated National Maritime Day with an annual public event for more than 16 years to recognize and remember all who work in the maritime industry. Congress declared May 22 as National Maritime Day in 1933.
Rees said, “We recognize the contributions of those who work in the maritime industry, and in particular merchant marines, to strengthen the U.S. economy and secure our nation.”
The maritime industry supports a wide range of businesses and jobs, including ship pilots, ship crews, barge and tugboat crews, union workers, shipping stevedores, onshore cruise staff, truck drivers, railroad workers, construction workers, ship builders, administrative staffs and many more.
Rees said, “Thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsor Moody Bank, a long-time community partner, we’re able to make this year’s event the biggest yet. We encourage the community to join us for this special day.”
About the Port of Galveston
Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses.
The port is the fourth busiest cruise home port in the U.S. The port also leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galveston Harbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busiest U.S. cargo waterways. The Galveston Wharves is a self-sustaining city entity whose mission is to generate and reinvest port revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues. www.portofgalveston.com
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CAPTION: A Galveston Texas City Pilots Association pilot boat will be among the maritime-themed exhibits at the National Maritime Day celebration, 8:30-11:30 a.m. May 22 on Pier 21. The free public event is hosted by the Port of Galveston with presenting sponsor Moody Bank to spotlight maritime careers and honor the contributions of merchant marines.
CONTACT: Kathy Thomas, Port Communications Director, kathy@communitystrategiesllc.com