Public Celebrates Maritime Day at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier

Monday, 23 May 2011
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

San Diego Bay’s North Embarcadero attracted hundreds of families and residents over the weekend to celebrate Maritime Day.

The Port of San Diego hosted the free celebration Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.

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National Maritime Day was created in 1933 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a joint resolution with Congress to recognize the contributions of the men and women of the maritime industry. The nation's 360 ports are the prime portals for the nation's imports and exports.

The Port of San Diego operates two cargo terminals that are part of the worldwide network of the movement of goods via water. The Port also owns the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal, as well as the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, an auxiliary cruise ship terminal and events center.

The event featured educational maritime exhibits, interactive displays, refreshments, entertainment, carnival rides and prizes. There was also a free waterfront boat tour, to give the public the opportunity to learn more about the Port of San Diego's operations.

Employees from the Port of San Diego and working waterfront businesses were on hand to talk about their jobs and how the work they perform contributes to the region. Officers with the Port’s Harbor Police Department were on hand, offering tours of the newest FireStorm 36 firefighting vessels.

Naval Base San Diego was also in attendance, and the Southwest Navy Band provided free entertainment for guests.

Participants included the International Longshore Workers Union, Aquarius Yacht Services, Inc., San Diego County Airport Authority, Cohn Restaurant Group, Old Town Trolley and SEAL Tours, H&M Landing, Carefree Travel, South County Economic Development Council, Joe’s Crab Shack, Pasha Automotive Services, Marine Group Boat Works, Maritime Museum of San Diego, Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel and Marina and General Dynamics/NASSCO. The STAR 94.1 Prize Patrol was also on site handing out free prizes to lucky guests. And the Chula Vista Nature Center provided a hands-on exhibit, featuring native species living along San Diego Bay.

The Port of San Diego is a niche port, specializing in break-bulk, project and roll-on, roll-off cargo like vehicles and other items that can’t easily fit into a storage container. San Diego’s terminals are ideal for shippers of fruit and other perishables. It also handles specialized cargo, automobiles, windmill components and project cargo, which includes steel and components for power plants.

• Learn more about the Port of San Diego's Maritime Operations