Port of San Diego Celebrates Maritime Month, Hosts Events to Honor ‘Hands of the Harbor’
The Port of San Diego will honor the role and impact of San Diego’s maritime industry during May, Maritime Month, by holding free events – including bus tours, boat tours and a movie night – that recognize and thank the men and women of San Diego Bay’s working waterfront.
Maritime Month is the Port’s unique extended celebration of National Maritime Day on May 22, which pays special tribute to merchant marines and to the benefits that the maritime industry provides to the country. The Board of Port Commissioners is expected to make a Maritime Month proclamation at a May 12 board meeting.
Festivities throughout the month will highlight the commercial and cargo business activity of the Port, including its economic impact, its cargo capability, its designation as a strategic military port, its cruise ship industry and its environmental stewardship.
Events include:
• Bus tours* on May 21 and May 28 to explore the Port’s cargo terminals. Buses depart from Pepper Park at 10 a.m.
• Boat tours* on May 9 and May 30 will highlight the working waterfront. Boats depart from Broadway Pier at 10 am. and 1 p.m.
• Movie night on May 29 at Pepper Park showing Spongebob Squarepants: Sponge Out of Water. Free music and activities begin at 6:30 p.m. with the film proceeding at dusk.
*Registration required, free to attend
“Maritime Month highlights the significant contributions made by the many businesses, employees and neighbors of San Diego Bay,” said Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Dan Malcolm. “The success of the Port and its resulting impact on the region relies on the dedication of these individuals and the dynamic nature of our natural deep-water harbor and waterfront. I am honored to be a part of this important recognition, and am looking forward to this exciting month-long celebration.”
In 2013, the Port pumped more than $7.6 billion into the regional economy, with more than 33,000 jobs on the waterfront of San Diego Bay. Two cruise ship terminals in the heart of the Embarcadero bring hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to San Diego’s “front porch.” The Port is currently undergoing an environmental impact report to determine the feasibility of modernizing the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal to better support maritime commerce, and is committed to reducing emissions in partnership with California’s ports.
