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New Jersey Boatbuilder Trials AI Whale Detection Technology – Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
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New Jersey Boatbuilder Trials AI Whale Detection Technology
Seen as Solution to the Problem of Collisions with Right Whales
No imagine what you could see at night The author is deputy editor of Marine Industry News, a U.K. based business-to-business outlet. This story was published on October 23, 2026 and is reprinted here with permission.
By ANNA CUMMINS
The New Jersey boatbuilder, Viking Yacht Company, is evaluating WhaleSpotter whale-detection technology aboard its new Viking 70 Convertible demonstration boat. The system, which uses thermal cameras and artificial intelligence to detect whales ahead of moving vessels, can be used to alert captains in good time.
Atlantic Marine Electronics, a Viking subsidiary, installed the system on the test yacht’s tuna tower using a removable mount. The camera and processing computer sit within a single unit, while a tablet at the helm shows thermal images alongside the estimated distance and bearing of detected whales. An audible alert notifies the captain when a whale is spotted.
WhaleSpotter reports reliable detection at distances of two to three nautical miles, day or night, depending on camera height and whale size, and claims its software distinguishes whales from waves, spray and other activity on the water.
WhaleSpotter combines a thermal camera and processing computer in a single unit Time To React
“Seeing a whale two or three miles ahead gives a captain time to make a small course correction to avoid it,” says Shawn Henry, CEO of WhaleSpotter, which specialises in sportfishing vessels. “That’s the value of long-range detection. Captains can identify a potential risk and respond well before the vessel gets close to the whale.”
The system collected data during the yacht’s recent trip from New Jersey to Florida, although no whales were detected. It will stay aboard during regular operations. Viking will also demonstrate it at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week. According to WhaleSpotter, this is its first demonstration on a sportfishing yacht.
Since 2022, Viking has worked with technology partners, including Viam, to evaluate systems intended to reduce vessel strikes.
“We’re seeing tremendous progress in whale-detection technology, and these systems are becoming more practical and accessible for recreational boats,” says John DePersenaire, Viking’s director of government affairs and sustainability. “The WhaleSpotter demonstration is another example of technology that’s available today and can help captains avoid whales. We want to demonstrate these capabilities in real-world boating conditions.”
Partnerships and Testing
Viking and industry partners formed the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Taskforce in late 2022, focusing particularly on the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Its 24-foot Contender research boat carries thermal imaging, radar and AI detection equipment.
The boat is finishing a season in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Visitors included National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) personnel, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation board members and marine electronics companies. The team conducted manoeuvres and examined National Marine Electronics Association vessel data to assess how responses to detections can be tracked. Plans are being developed for winter operations in the South Atlantic.
NOAA is considering changes to the 2008 vessel speed rule, which requires most vessels of 65ft or longer to travel at 10 knots or less in designated East Coast Seasonal Management Areas at certain times of year. President Donald Trump’s September 17executive order directed NOAA to use advances in avoidance technology and coordinate with the private sector.
Viking is now urging the agency to propose a rule incorporating technology-based measures.
“The technology has advanced significantly since the 2008 rule was adopted,” DePersenaire says. “Through WAVS, we’ve been working to demonstrate that these systems can detect whales and give captains the information they need to avoid them. WhaleSpotter illustrates the rapid pace at which whale-detection technologies are being commercialised and put into use.”
Research, AI
WhaleSpotter grew out of more than a decade of research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Co-founder Dr Daniel Zitterbart helped develop the technology, which uses AI trained on whale and ocean imagery. The company reports more than 70 systems deployed worldwide, including commercial vessel installations and shore-based monitoring sites.
“Our research covers different whale species under a wide range of conditions,” Henry says. “We can often identify a North Atlantic right whale by the distinctive V shape of its blow. That allows us to distinguish it from a humpback whale, for example, and gives captains more information about what they’re seeing.”
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November Coastal Updates – SCDNR
A manatee surfacing for air / Photo by: Erin Weeks/SCDNR
Welcome to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Coastal Updates newsletter! You are receiving this email because you attended one of our public programs or signed up for updates from our agency. In this monthly newsletter, you’ll find the latest outdoors news, volunteer opportunities, useful career information and more. We hope it will help you enjoy and protect our state’s beautiful coastline.
What’s happening outdoors along the coast in November?
- The Atlantic red snapper season may be over, but the work is far from done. We ask that anglers continue to declare their bottom-fishing trips and report the red snapper they release via the VESL reporting platform throughout the remainder of October and November. Both in-season and out-of-season data is critical to gaining a complete understanding of the red snapper fishery as a whole, and we need your support in working toward the goal of more state-based management. Help us spread the word to fellow anglers to keep reporting their data! Plus, each week in November, we’ll be providing a few lucky winners with offshore fishing fear from Shimano and Crowder Rods; any angler who logs a bottom-fishing trip and reports their catch in VESL will be eligible to win. Follow us on Instagram for updates!
- November is Manatee Awareness Month! With temperatures dropping in the Lowcountry, manatees have begun their migration south. This time is crucial to document any manatee sightings in South Carolina waters; if you see any lingering visitors, share your findings here!
- Oyster season in the Lowcountry is well underway, and we want to help YOU enjoy the season sustainably. If you’re hosting an oyster roast this season, let us know a week in advance by calling (843) 396-0965; we’ll help you to roast responsibly and show you how to recycle your shells and support our resilient coastline. Find the closest oyster recycling drop off near you here!
SCDNR Seeks Input on 5 year ACE Basin Management Plan | News 2 SCDNR Honors Foster McKissick With the Carroll A. Campbell Award | The Fishing Wire
Trash Picking with Charleston Waterkeeper (Charleston, SC) Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17 and 24, 1–3 p.m. | Volunteer with our SCORE team alongside Charleston Waterkeeper to pick trash out of recycled oysters every Tuesday of the month! Roll up your sleeves and help ready this shell to be replanted in various state shellfish grounds and restoration projects. Register here.Veterans Day Fishing Clinic (Yemassee, SC) | Wednesday, November 11, 9 a.m.–noon | Join SCDNR biologists and certified fishing instructors for a fun day of fishing at Nemours Plantation! In celebration of Veterans Day, SCDNR — in partnership with Nemours Plantation and the Nemours Wildlife Foundation — is offering a free clinic for veterans and active-duty military members. Please note: One military member or veteran is required; you can show your DD 214, Veteran’s ID, Active Duty Military ID or discharge papers. Register here.
SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Yemassee, SC) Wednesday, November 11, 1–4 p.m. | In partnership with Nemours Plantation and the Nemours Wildlife Foundation, we’re offering a saltwater fishing clinic for anyone interested in learning how to fish! You’ll learn how to tie knots, rig your rod, how to cast, what bait to use and what fish you can catch. Register here.
Kayak Fishing 101 (Myrtle Beach, SC) Wednesday, November 11, 6–8 p.m. | Join us for Kayak Fishing 101, taught by our fishing instructors! This program builds on the introductory class to kayak fishing, and will teach you more about the different types of kayaks, freshwater versus saltwater, safety and more! Kids ages 6 to adults are welcome to attend. Register here.
MWR Fabrication with Charleston Waterkeeper (Charleston, SC) Thursday, November 12, 12:30–3:30 p.m. | Volunteer with our SCORE team alongside Charleston Waterkeeper to construct manufactured wire reefs (MWRs)! These MWRs will be used as a substrate for oyster larvae to land and grow on. You’ll cut, bend and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure, then add recycled oyster shell to complete the process. Register here.
ACE Basin Property Tour (Edisto Island, SC) | Friday, November 20, 9 a.m.–noon | Join SCDNR staff on a tour of the ACE Basin where we’ll explore the cultural and natural resources found throughout Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area! Register here.
Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown, SC) | Tuesday, November 24, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Join SCDNR, North Inlet NERR staff and certified instructors to learn the basics of saltwater fishing! You’ll learn how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel, cast and fish! Kids ages 4 to adults are welcome to attend. Register here.
Women’s Inshore Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown, SC) | Tuesday, December 15, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Join SCDNR, North Inlet NERR staff and certified instructors to learn the basics of saltwater fishing! You’ll learn how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel, cast and fish. Women ages 12 to adults are welcome to attend. Register here.
SCDNR Natural Resource Fest (West Columbia, SC) | Friday, January 29, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Join the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for a free, agency-wide career fair designed for middle school students. As students begin exploring their interests and planning for their futures through their personal pathway to success, Natural Resource Fest gives them a firsthand look at the many careers that support and protect South Carolina’s natural resources. Register here by Jan. 1, 2027.
We’re hiring!
Administrative Specialist II | Charleston County, SC | This employee will assist the Boat Titling and Licensing Section with the processing of watercraft and outboard motor transactions and the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.
Vehicle/Equipment Repair Technician II | Charleston County, SC | This employee will work within SCDNR’s Vessel Operations Section at the Marine Resources Division.
Wildlife Biologist II | Hampton County, SC | This employee is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day tasks, training and follow up of staff in completion of management activities and administrative duties in Unit 4-D.
View all open SCDNR jobs here.
All Hands on Deck in the ACE Basin
NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management opened applications for the 2027–2029 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, and we have an opening for one at the ACE Basin NERR! This two-year program invites graduate students to conduct a collaborative research project on a key reserve management need. Learn more about the fellowship and apply here! SCDNR is seeking public input on the proposed ACE Basin NERR Management Plan for 2026–2031. Created in partnership between SCDNR and NOAA, this plan serves as a framework to guide authorizations, approvals, fund and other actions for the ACE Basin NERR over the course of its cycle. Find the survey for public comment, as well as the drafted management plan, here! 
SCORE Spotlight
Calling all coastal cooks! As a part of the SCORE/SC Sea Grant Consortium’s Title I schools grant, we will be developing a coastal cookbook highlighting South Carolina’s coastal cuisine. Please be as detailed as possible and include a picture, ingredients, cookware, step-by-step instructions, a fun recipe name and a personal or historic anecdote about your dish. If chosen for inclusion, we’ll share a copy of the cookbook with you! Please send your submissions to score@dnr.sc.gov. Michael Hodges, SCDNR SCORE’s fearless leader, will be retiring from the program after 24 and a half years of service! Michael’s commitment to grassroots oyster restoration has always centered on fostering a sense of ownership for our natural resources. Under his tenure, SCORE has educated more than 26,500 people about the importance of oysters and salt marsh resiliency and has grown to be the largest state oyster shell recycling and restoration program in the country. Many other agencies, nonprofits and groups have applied what SCORE and Michael have created in South Carolina to their home fisheries. 
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NY Times: Life on the Most Remote Island on Earth – Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more
When all else fails, try journalism.
Far, far away: Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is home to just 220 people. Here’s another from the New York Times. We have started sharing stories designated as “gifts” from our Times account. This one was first published earlier today. Use the link below.
By NICK SCHONFELD
To reach Tristan, roughly halfway between Africa and South America, Kelly Green crossed 1,738 miles of the South Atlantic from Cape Town aboard the M/V Edinburgh, a 205-foot lobster boat. She had never been to sea before, and she worried about seasickness, but it never came.
After a week at sea, the ship dropped anchor off Calshot Harbour, in front of Tristan da Cunha’s only settlement—Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Its two small piers, jutting into the water, looked to Kelly like arms reaching out to welcome her.
Kelly could see most of the island’s residents (then 264 people) waving, including her mother and father, Marina and Sean Burns. Her father had been sent to the island, a British Overseas Territory, to serve as its administrator. He persuaded his reluctant 22-year-old daughter to visit, though Kelly, living in Britain, was more interested in clubs than remote islands. Kelly remembers him saying: “You have to come out, because you’ll never get the chance again.”
Among the men who helped carry her bags off the boat was Shane Green, 21. They met again that night at the island’s only pub. They danced.
Kelly went home after six weeks. The first night back in Cape Town, South Africa, where most ships leaving Tristan travel to, her hotel phone rang. It was Shane. They talked every night for months.
That was in 2012. Two years and several visits later, Kelly made the decision that would change her life: She moved to Tristan and became the first woman in over a century to settle there for good. The last had been three Irish sisters, in 1908.
Living on an isolated island requires residents to be rather social—to pitch in for the common good, wear multiple hats, work long days and make their own fun.
Tristan was first sighted in 1506 by Tristão da Cunha, a Portuguese naval commander. Britain annexed the island in 1816 and set up a garrison for a year. A Scottish corporal stayed behind with his wife, their two children and two English stonemasons. That was the beginning of the community that lives there today.
Only 220 people now call it home, down from a peak of 300 in 1993. In the past three years, there have been 21 deaths and only six births. A few islanders have emigrated over the years.
READ THE REST OF THE STORY FOR FREE
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Being a True-Crime Talking Head Ain’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be – Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more
When all else fails, try journalism.
Being a True-Crime Talking Head Ain’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be
Nuance Is Also a Victim in Shows About Trawler Arson-Murders
That swim ladder amidst the flames is the clue that we are looking at a Great Harbour G37 engulfed by fire that produced crematoria temperatures. That’s me then and me now, five years older and still giving the same spiel. I’m guessing most of you guys don’t watch true-crime series on the tube. I certainly don’t, but I’m a true-crime talking-head veteran. I talked about the same trawler murders twice—same story, different networks. And I’m here to tell ya: These true-crime folks don’t do nuance.
On the surface it was a simple boy-meets-girl story: Boy with boat meets girl. They marry. Boy is actually a monster. Boy and girl divorce. Girl gets boat in divorce. Boy kills girl and new boy inside boat, then burns boat to the waterline. Police gun down boy. The end.
But there was another interesting twist to this story, which goes unexamined by both shows. Maybe, because a nuanced examination might cross some true-crime line by suggesting that the victim was somehow less than saintly in her own behavior.
This is what a GH 37 looks like when it’s not burning. Two Shows
The were a couple differences between the two treatments.
The 2019 “Dark Waters: Murder in the Deep” episode entitled “Burned,” mixed talking heads with actor reenactments. The reenactments were a little cheesy because the actors were younger and, of course, better looking, but at least they had an actual Great Harbour trawler for the filming, even though it was a GH 47 instead of an actual 37.
This year’s “Deadly Waters with Capt. Lee” episode “River of Fire” didn’t have much in the way of reenactments, but it did have Capt. Lee. I didn’t know anything about Capt. Lee until now. He was the “beloved” Capt. Lee Rosback of the “Below Decks” reality show until he was sidelined with a medical issue.
One of my fellow talking heads was Ken Fickett, builder of the boat in question, who came to know David Trauger in the process. In the most recent episode, Fickett got to reprise a line he used when Georgia police called him for information: “Sonofabitch, he burned the boat!” Nothing against Lee—he is a salty old dude—but his commentary in between us talking heads seems like a distraction, at least during the episode in question.
So, what is my beef with these dueling true-crime narratives? Neither thought it was worthwhile getting the murderer’s side of the story. Don’t get me wrong, David Trauger is no less a villain just because he acted out of love. For his boat, that is. He loved that trawler so much that he rather die than give it up.
How do I know what Trauger may have been thinking? I asked Trauger’s lawyer. That’s why I was twice recruited to be a talking head; I had written stories about the case for Soundings and PassageMaker magazines. When you are trying to do journalism, your job is to get all sides of the story.
Trauger may have been dead, having succesfully suicided-by-cop, but not before he had told his side of the story to Crystal Ferrier. Ferrier is an attorney in Brunswick, Georgia, just down the road from the scene of the crime, St. Marys.
Neither show quoted Ferrier. If they had, they would have learned that she had scheduled a court date to ask a Georgia judge to nullify Trauger’s divorce from Karen Barnes based on fraud. Trauger never showed up for the August 14, 2012 hearing because there was really no need to. He had spent the night before murdering Barnes and her friend (and possible lover) Larry Ford.
Prized Possession
One thing that both shows agreed upon: Premium Time was insurance man David Trauger’s most prized possession. He also had a first ex-wife of 22 years that he owed $235,000. Ferrier said Trauger was terrified that she would try to collect by executing a lien on Premium Time, which Trauger had purchased for $558,000.
The divorce from Karen, according to Ferrier, had been a sham, an ill-conceived scheme to put Premium Time beyond the first ex-wife’s reach. Trauger and Barnes would continue living together and then remarry sometime in the future, or so Trauger thought.
In the first TV portrayal David Trauger and Karen Barnes were played by younger actors. Why this rings true:
- Trauger loved his boat. Yes, indeed, the true-crime shows agree, but they don’t follow that notion to any logical conclusion.
- Trauger was well off financially. He had other assets and property that would have satisfied the financial distribution requirements of an ordinary divorce, given the circumstances of the marriage. His decision to relinquish a prized possession should be seen as odd, out of character.
- Chime in here, divorce attorneys: Isn’t a $558,000 item a pretty hefty settlement for a marriage that had lasted only 27 months, assuming the going rate in 2012?
- The divorce was entirely amicable: No haggling over the boat was reported, even though it was Trauger’s prize possession, etc., etc.
- In fact, the divorce was so amicable that they had gone on a vacation to Hawaii just before Trauger transfered Premium Time’s documentation into Barnes’s name and the divorce became final.
- Even though divorced, Trauger continued to live on Premium Time with Barnes for a couple months after the fact, until early June 2012.
Isn’t any of this worthy of mention in a serious conversation about the crime. Shouldn’t Trauger’s lawyer have been one of those talking heads?
Barnes Plays Her Hand
In early June 2012, Trauger left the boat and returned to his home state of Pennsylvania to conduct business in connection with his insurance companies. He was only away for a couple weeks.
“He came back to the boat on Jekyll Island on the 22nd of June with wine and flowers in hand, and he found that the locks had been changed,” Ferrier said. Barnes had summoned a Georgia state trooper to tell Trauger he was not to go on the boat again. The trooper handed him a key to a storage locker where his personal possessions had been taken.
Why might Karen Barnes have given Trauger the impression that she was collaborating with his idea for a sham divorce?
- Though he had seemed charming at first, Trauger turned out to be a drunken, jealous man subject to hair-trigger rages. He was physically abusive, having broken her arm during a trip to the Bahamas. Barnes was on a video call with her sister who in effect witnessed the assault.
- Appearing to go along with Trauger’s sham-divorce plan may have seemed like the path of least resistance, a safe path toward ridding herself of a man whom she truly feared.
- Barnes had come into the marriage without much in the way of assets. A half-million boat could provide means with which to begin a new life. She deserved to be happy.
- All she had to do was wait for the right opportunity to make her escape. That’s the thing about a boat. It can go places.
That would not have been a bad plan, but it failed because Barnes did not flee fast enough or far enough. She and Larry Ford, a marine installer and West Marine employee, helped pilot Premium Time only as far as St. Marys, Georgia, less than a full day of travel on the Intracoastal Waterway from the marina where Trauger had found himself locked out of “his” boat.
Either they buddy-boated or took two trips because Ford’s boat ended up anchored at the same creek nearby Barnes’s boat.
After the fire was suppressed, Premium Time was towed into the boatyard haul-out and the ashes were sifted for evidence. There was something else neither true-crime version mentioned: A fellow trawler owner and buddy of Trauger had stoked his rage in the weeks leading up to the murder, reinforcing the notion that Barnes had been a gold-digger all along.
At one point, Trauger’s buddy shared with him a story he found on the Internet about how Karen Barnes had once been involved in some kind of grift in Kentucky. (After the murders, Loose Cannon, determined it had been a different woman named Karen Barnes.)
In July and August 2012, Trauger tracked Barnes down. There was an incident at in WalMart. Karen tried to get a protective order, someone sabotaged of Premium Time’s steering. The TV people concentrated on this timeline stuff.
As for that missed court date to undo the divorce, even Trauger’s lawyer said there was only a slim chance of prevailing. Ferrier said a Georgia judge was unlikely to look favorably on Trauger’s argument that Barnes had reneged on a contract with him—the sham divorce—when they aim of that contract was really a conspiracy to defraud Trauger’s previous ex-wife. Farrier said she only wished that Trauger had given her the chance to try to make the case.
He Lost His Mind
He had lost his wife. He had lost his boat. Then came the day, as I reported in a 2013 magazine piece, when Trauger lost his mind:
In the early morning hours of August 13, David Trauger dressed all in black. He then motored a skiff alongside a trawler anchored on St. Marys River in Southeast Georgia. According to police, he crept aboard and murdered Barnes and her new male friend. Using gasoline or some other accelerant, he “skillfully” torched the vessel, lighting the night “like rocket motors” and effectively cremating the bodies inside.
The last moments in the lives of Barnes and her companion were recorded over an open line, a 911 call from Barnes’ cell phone…
Here’s how police described the sickening final moments in the lives of Barnes and Ford: “The male on the recording sounds to be in great distress and agony. The male screams audible words occassionally such as ‘you bastard!’ and ‘why?!’ At the end of the recording is a deep voice which says, “How’d you get in here?”
These were the kind of details that true-crime TV got right—the easy part. They entertain the viewer telling how it happened. They were far less interested in why it happened, except that David Trauger was a nasty, no-good villain of a man and Karen Barnes was a good, totally good woman.
Her friends—and surely her family—will dispute my more nuanced interpretation, as they have in the past. They adhere to what I call “the St. Karen narrative.” In doing so, they fail to give Barnes enough credit. I see a woman who was engaged in an asymmetrical struggle against a monster who chose to use the best weapon she had—her wits.
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What’s Happening At the Sea Pines Resort (Nov 2026), Harbour Town Yacht Basin, SC AICW MM 565
Harbour Town Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is ready for your reservation with newly renovated docks, upgraded electrical service and onSpot WiFi, also a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR. And, as always, numerous activities at the Sea Pines Resort are offered for your enjoyment, as you will see in the Event Schedule below. Hilton Head Island is absolutely marvelous any time of year.
Kerry Maveus
kmaveus@hunter-pr.com | www.hunter-pr.com
mobile: 831-917-2878
P.O. Box 1049 | Pebble Beach, CA | 93953
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A Little Hocus Pocus, a Lot of Harbor Charm 🎃 – Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City sits at the southern terminus of the Dismal Swamp Canal and has the well-earned reputation of being a transient-friendly town with free dockage for 72 hours.
https://visitelizabethcity.com/
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City of Gulfport Monday (10/26/26) Newsletter, Gulfport, FL
The City of Gulfport and Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, always have a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
City of Gulfport Monday Newsletter 
Weekly news & updates 
October 26, 2026 | City of Gulfport, FL – Gateway to the Gulf Newsletter 
E-Newsletter: Monday, October 19, 2026 Missed last week’s update? Click here to read it now.
Upcoming Events See what’s happening this month.
Senior Center E-news Click here to see what’s happening next.
Library Calendar of Events Upcoming activities at the Gulfport Library.
Recreation Center Click here to see all classes and activities.
Gulfport Community Update Click here to read more.
Gulfport Arts & Heritage Click here to see upcoming events.
Be Prepared This Hurricane Season!
The Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30.
Be prepared, visit the City of Gulfport Hurricane Center for important storm preparedness information, resources, and updates.
Hurricane Center Gulfport City Council Mayor
Karen
Love
826-7208
Ward 1
Jennifer Daunch
Vice Mayor
Marlene Shaw
826-7311
Ward 3
Jennifer Webb
Ward 4 Nancy
Earley
269-6625
A Message from the Mayor 
Good Afternoon, Gulfport, Two resolutions affecting residents of Gulfport were passed at last Tuesday’s meeting.
House Bill 803 mandates that all municipalities change the way they charge for permits. In the past, the charge was based on the value of the project, or the “cost of the job.” Now, fees are calculated using a cost-recovery system, based on the actual administrative cost. A resident who recently obtained permits estimated that one of her permits would have cost a little less and the other a little more under the new state-mandated system. The new fee structure will be implemented once the necessary updates to the City’s permitting software are complete.
In the past, our rates at the marina were divided into resident and non-resident charges. Residents always received a discount compared with non-residents. That will now be true for residents operating a business in the marina as well. At the last meeting, the Council voted to add a surcharge to all commercial businesses operating out of our marina.
Our aging marina needs maintenance, and, of course, the cost of operating the marina continues to increase. These surcharges from commercial tenants will help offset the cost of upcoming projects, easing the burden on taxpayers.
We have many residents who are interested in a slip at the marina, and as slips become available, we hope to accommodate more of them.
-Mayor Love
City Manager’s Gulfport Community Update Gulfport Community Update: October 18-24, 2026 What a successful first year for the Gulfport 5K Run/Walk! Thanks to the support of our participants, volunteers, and community, $3,802.61 was raised for the Gulfport Police Department’s Operation Santa. At the October 20 City Council meeting, a check was presented to support this wonderful program, which helps bring holiday joy to local children and families. Thank you to everyone who helped make our first year such a success and turned miles into smiles for a great cause!
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks are set back one hour. The Gulfport Fire Department recommends replacing the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors while setting clocks back. Working alarms provide a critical early warning in the event of a fire or gas leak and can save lives. Don’t wait for an emergency to discover your alarm isn’t working.
Read More This Weeks Events & Meetings 
More Info Early Voting: 2026 General Election October 19 – November 1 | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
49th Street Neighbrohood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
Gulfport residents can vote early for the November 3, 2026 General Election from October 19 through November 1, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. daily, at the Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S. Early voting provides a convenient opportunity to cast your ballot before Election Day. Voters must present both photo and signature identification. Be sure to allow enough time to vote and bring the required identification with you.
Visit our Website Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market Tuesday, October 27th | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S.
The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is a year-round open-air market held in Gulfport’s Waterfront District on Beach Blvd. It also offers a variety of independent shops, boutiques, galleries, its own beach and a large cluster of restaurants, all within easy walking distance. The Fresh Market offers visitors the opportunity for a relaxing day trip in a small town full of “Old Florida” charms.
Visit our Website Halloween Masks for Kids Tuesday, October 27th | 12:30 -1:45 p.m.
Gulfport Arts Center
Using paper plates as a base along with construction paper, felt, and other craft supplies, kids will make wearable masks of their favorite Halloween creatures. Supplies limited. Registration required. Sign-up by emailing ArtsCenter@mygulfport.us or call 727-893-1162.
Chronos: Community Art Show Reception Friday, October 30th | 5 p.m.
Gulfport Arts Center, 2726 54th St. S.
The Gulfport Arts Center invites local visual artists of all ages to submit up to three original works in any medium for “Chronos,” a group exhibition exploring the theme of time, including the passage of time and the relationship between the past, present, and future. Submission is free, and all ages, skill levels, and perspectives are welcome. To submit work for consideration, email a photo of your artwork to ArtsCenter@mygulfport.us by October 6, 2026. Artwork will be on display October 30–December 5, 2026, with viewing available during Open Studio Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3–7 p.m., and the first and third Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Halloween Bash Saturday, October 31st | 4 – 7 p.m.
Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S.
Join us Saturday, October 31, from 4–7 p.m. at the Gulfport Recreation Center for an evening of trunk-or-treat, games, music, and a costume contest. The costume contest begins at 5 p.m., with categories for ages 0–3, 4–7, 8–12, 13–17, and family themes. For more information, call 727-893-1068.
Gulfport Witches Walk & Block Party Saturday, October 31st | 5 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween Gulfport-style at the Gulfport Witches Walk & Block Party on Saturday, October 31! The Witches Walk begins at 5 p.m. at The Village Courtyard, with costumed witches making their way through Gulfport before ending at the Shore Boulevard Block Party. Dress up, cheer on the witches, and enjoy a wickedly fun night filled with Halloween spirit and Gulfport’s signature charm!
49th St. Makers & Growers Market Sunday, November 1st | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Red Feather Studio, 1301 49th St. S.
The 49th St. Makers & Growers Market takes place on the first Sunday of each month through May 2, 2027. Browse locally made products, creative health and living goods, handmade items, and more while enjoying live music and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. The market brings together local makers, growers, wellness-focused vendors, and the community while supporting small businesses and local creatives.
Music in the Park: New Horizons Concert and Jazz Bands of Gulfport Sunday, November 1st | 3 p.m.
Clymer Park (Pavilion), 2215 Beach Blvd. S.
Enjoy an afternoon of live music at the Pavilion at Clymer Park, presented by the New Horizons Concert and Jazz Bands of Gulfport. This free outdoor concert invites everyone to bring a chair, bring a friend and enjoy music in the park. Donations to help cover the bands’ expenses are appreciated.
Upcoming Events & Meetings 
Learn More Fusion 49th District General Meeting Monday, November 2nd | 6 – 8 p.m.
Recreation Center (Art Room), 5730 Shore Blvd. S.
Join us for “First Mondays: Business Activation (We Heard You Series),” a monthly initiative from the Fusion 49th District Team designed to support local businesses with practical, results-driven resources. Created in response to feedback from corridor businesses seeking greater visibility, more customers and consistent support, these monthly sessions provide real tools, actionable strategies and opportunities to help local businesses grow and succeed.
Held on the first Monday of each month, each gathering offers hands-on guidance to help strengthen marketing, improve financial understanding, and build sustainable business systems. This series is open to all business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in starting, growing, or strengthening a business along the corridor.
2026 General Election Day Tuesday, November 3rd | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
City of Gulfport, FL
Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gulfport residents should confirm their assigned polling location before heading to the polls and bring valid photo and signature identification.
Gulfport polling locations:
- Precincts 206 & 218: Gulfport City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S.
- Precinct 208: Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S.
- Precincts 209 & 210: Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
Find your assigned polling location and view General Election information through the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.Questions? Call 727-464-VOTE (8683).
Ukulele Jam Tuesday, November 3rd | 12 p.m.
Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.
Join us for a ukulele jam session led by the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society. This program is held on the first Tuesday of the month. Music will be projected on the TV so just bring yourself and your ukulele. Check the Circulation desk to see if any of our ukulele kits are available for check out. See you there!
What’s on Your Mind? With Councilmember Marlene Shaw – Every First Wednesday Wednesday, November 4th | 2 – 3 p.m.
Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S.
Join Councilmember Marlene Shaw for casual conversation and community connection at Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S., every first Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, she’s here to listen and talk about the issues that matter to you.
Councilmember Shaw also holds City Hall office hours every Monday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at 2401 53rd Street South. Appointments are available upon request.
Contact mshaw@mygulfport.us or (727) 826-7311 for more info.
Pixie Playtime Thursday, November 5th | 10:15 a.m.
Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.
Explore the enchanted garden at Gulfport Library with ukulele music, magical moments, and playful adventures. Recommended for fans of fairies and caregivers of all ages.
RSVP Labyrinth Lights Dance Performance Friday, November 6th | 5 – 8 p.m.
Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S.
Experience an evening of music, movement, and light on Friday, November 6, from 5–9 p.m. at the Gulfport History Museum. Enjoy a luminary-lit labyrinth featuring a special dance and drum performance by Hip Expression Dancers and Drummers. This free community event is part of the TimeWeaving Community Labyrinth project and Creative Pinellas’ Art Everywhere initiative. Free and open to the public.
More Info 
First Friday Gulfport Night Market
Friday, November 6th | 5 – 9 p.m.
Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)
Formally known as Art Walk on the first Friday and IndieFaire on the third Saturday, these recurring monthly events will launch for 2025 branded as the Gulfport Night Market. The night market concept unites the energy of the former events, offering an evening marketplace experience with vibrant local offerings from local makers, artisans, and small business vendors to engage the community and visitors as they shop, stroll, and sip in beautiful downtown Gulfport.
Artists Map Gulfport’s Art in the Yard, Community Art Sale Saturday, November 7th | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
City of Gulfport, FL
Shop original artworks during the City of Gulfport Art in the Yard Community Art Sale, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, November 7. In the event of rain, the sale will take place Sunday, November 8. This bi-annual community art sale transforms the charming City into an open-air gallery, showcasing the talent and creativity of local artists in their own front yards. A Google map of participating artists can be found at, https://mygulfport.us/
gulfport-art-in-the-yard. 
Collage Group Share & Swap for Teens & Adults Saturday, November 7th | 3 p.m.
Gulfport Arts Center, 2726 54th St. S.
Open to collage artists and enthusiast of any skill/experience level. Feel free to bring materials to share and swap with others. Scissors and glue sticks will be provided.
Register Here Heroes Weekend Veterans Parade
Sunday, November 8th | 11 a.m.
Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S.
Registration is now open for Gulfport’s annual Veterans Parade, taking place Sunday, November 8, at 11 a.m. Join the community as we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. Register by Monday, November 2, at 3 p.m.
City Hall & Facilities Closed for Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11th | All Day
City of Gulfport, FL
City Hall and City facilities will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Regular operations will resume on Thursday, November 12.
Gulfport Environmental Team (G.E.T.) Meeting Thursday, November 12th | 6 – 8 p.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
Join the Gulfport Environmental Team (G.E.T.) each month at 6 p.m. at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. G.E.T. brings residents and volunteers together to support environmental stewardship, sustainability and a greener Gulfport. Learn about local tree initiatives, urban forestry, community planting opportunities and ways to help protect and enhance Gulfport’s natural spaces. Community members interested in getting involved are welcome to attend.
Purchase Tickets Gulfport Community Players present “The 39 Steps” November 12 – 22 | Thurs. – Sat. at 8 p.m. & Sat. – Sun. at 2 p.m.
Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.
The Gulfport Community Players present The 39 Steps, a fast-paced comedy inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1935 spy thriller, November 12–22 at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. Follow a hero on the run through dastardly villains, biplane crashes, romantic entanglements, quick costume changes, and plenty of laughs. Performances are Thursday–Saturday at 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Register Here Permit Free City-Wide Yard Sale
Saturday, November 14th | Dawn – Dusk
City of Gulfport, FL
Registration is now open for Gulfport’s Permit Free City-Wide Yard Sale, taking place Saturday, November 14, from dawn to dusk throughout the City. Residents can register to have their yard sale address included in the event brochure and Google Maps. Register by Friday, October 30, at 2 p.m. to be included.
Mayor’s Community Walk: Discover Gulfport Walking Trail Saturday, November 14th | 8 – 11 a.m.
Gulfport Beach (Pavilion #6), Shore Blvd. S.
Join Mayor Love on Saturday, November 14, for a guided community walk along the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at Pavilion #6 on Gulfport Beach, with the walk starting at 9 a.m. This free event is a great way to get active, explore Gulfport, and connect with neighbors and community leaders.
Blues, Art & Seafood Festival Saturday, November 14th | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Trolley Market Square, 4900 Tangerine Ave. S.
The Fusion 49th District and the City of Gulfport invite you to Trolley Market Square on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a full day of live blues music, local art and vendors, seafood and other food offerings, and community activities. Come enjoy a celebration of Gulfport’s creativity, culture and community along the 49th Street corridor.
RSVP Land Blessing and Thanksgiving Address Friday, November 20th | 4 – 6 p.m.
Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S.
Join the community for the Land Blessing and Thanksgiving Address at the Gulfport History Museum. Celebrate the future site of Gulfport’s permanent TimeWeaving Community Labyrinth with a special community blessing and dedication, followed by an interactive art activity where participants can create their own art object to become part of a collaborative labyrinth experience. Free and open to the public.
Free Document Shredding and Medication Drop-Off Saturday, November 21st | 9 – 11 a.m.
Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S.
Join Pinellas County Consumer Protection on Saturday, November 21, from 9–11 a.m., or until the truck is full, at the Gulfport Senior Center (5501 27th Ave. S.) for free document shredding and medication drop-off. Shredding is limited to three boxes or bags per vehicle. Metal clips and binders must be removed; staples are permitted. For more information, call 727-464-6200.
Free Community Tree Giveaway
Saturday, November 21st | 9 – 11 a.m.
Clymer Park (Greenway), 23rd Ave. S. & Beach Blvd. S.
The City of Gulfport invites residents to the Free Community Tree Giveaway at Clymer Park, part of our ongoing Plant a Tree initiative. Gulfport residents with a driver’s license or water bill for proof can receive free trees to enhance their property and support the city’s environmental sustainability efforts.
For more information, please contact the Parks & Facilities Superintendent at 727-893-1092.
Swap & Drop Saturday, November 21st | 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
The City of Gulfport, Gulfport Grassroots and Keep Pinellas Beautiful invite Gulfport residents to the Swap & Drop at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. Residents can bring unwanted household items for free disposal or swap usable goods with neighbors, helping reduce waste and promote reuse and sustainability. For a smooth drop-off, participants should remain in their vehicles and have items easily accessible in a trunk, backseat, truck bed or trailer. Open to Gulfport residents only; proof of residency is required.
More Info
Third Saturday Gulfport Night Market
Saturday, November 21st | 5 – 9 p.m.
Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)
The Gulfport Night Market operates year-round from 5pm to 9pm on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month. The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Markets team to work directly with new and returning vendors and to manage the Gulfport Night Market events. Tampa Bay Markets is a local events management company that operates 13 successful local markets and special events within the greater Tampa Bay Area, celebrating its 15th anniversary year of operation.
Thanksgiving Closures & Sanitation Schedule Thursday & Friday, November 26 – 27 | All Day
City of Gulfport, FL
City Hall and City facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, in observance of Thanksgiving. Thursday’s sanitation routes will be collected on Wednesday, November 25. Friday’s routes will remain on schedule, but there will be no weekly yard waste collection. The Gulfport Marina will be open on Friday, November 27.
Community Outreach Explore Gulfport’s past! Click here to view digitized City records from 1920 – 1974.
Gulfport History Museum Online Collection View the Museum’s online collection here.
Latest Beach Water Quality Sampling Data See the latest report here.
Gulfport Charter & Code of Ordinances Online access is provided at the following link.
Bill Payment Options View and pay Utility & Marina Billing accounts online here.
Employee Directory Click here to view the Gulfport Employee Directory.
“Take 2 on Tuesdays” with Mayor Karen Love
In Case You Missed It!
Last week’s Take 2 on Tuesdays featured staying informed
SeeClickFix – Service Request Center
The City of Gulfport uses SeeClickFix to receive, route, and track non-emergency service requests. Residents can report community concerns, submit the location of the issue, upload photos, and monitor progress through the online portal. Use the portal to report issues such as potholes, sidewalk damage, drainage concerns, traffic sign issues, graffiti, park maintenance concerns, sanitation issues, and code compliance matters.
Visit our Website 
Register Here Gulfport Connects: Bringing the Community Together
Register for Gulfport Connects, an online volunteer platform designed to strengthen connections between residents, local organizations, and City departments. The platform provides a simple, reliable way to match community needs with volunteer support – both during emergencies, and in everyday life. Nonprofits, community groups and City departments can post and manage volunteer opportunities, track service hours, and coordinate projects, while residents can sign up for activities that match their interests and log their service.
Visit https://gulfport.
galaxydigital.com or email dmather@mygulfport.us to be added to the portal. Gulfport Connects transforms lessons learned into lasting community strength, keeping Gulfport connected and resilient every day. 
Water Restrictions Webpage Modified Phase III Water Shortage Restrictions Extended Through March 31, 2027
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has extended the Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Order through March 31, 2027, due to ongoing drought conditions and low regional water supplies.
All Gulfport residents, including those using private wells or pumps, must continue following the one-day-per-week irrigation schedule. Lawn and landscape watering is allowed only between 12:01 a.m. and 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on your assigned watering day.
Watering Schedule (based on the last digit of your address):
- 0–1: Monday
- 2–3: Tuesday
- 4–5: Wednesday
- 6–7: Thursday
- 8–9: Friday (also applies to common areas and properties without a numbered address)
Residents are encouraged to conserve water by following these restrictions and using water wisely. For the complete watering schedule and additional conservation tips, visit the Pinellas County Watering Schedule and Rules page. Questions? Email Water.Restrictions@
WaterMatters.org or call (813) 856-5679 during business hours. 
Pinellas County Waives Tire Disposal Fees to Help Reduce Mosquito Breeding
Gulfport residents can dispose of up to four unwanted residential tires for free at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, through October 30. The temporary fee waiver aims to reduce mosquito breeding by eliminating places where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Tires must be less than 36 inches in diameter, and residents must show a valid driver’s license as proof of Pinellas County residency.
The fee waiver applies to residential tires only and does not apply to businesses. Businesses can find information about applicable tire disposal fees at Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex Fee Information at https://pinellas.gov/solid-
waste-disposal-complex-fee- information. For disposal hours and additional information, visit Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex at https://pinellas.gov/solid-
waste-disposal-complex-hours. 
Flood Safety Reminder: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Heavy rainfall can quickly cause flooding on roadways. Drivers are reminded to never drive through flooded streets or around barricades. Water may be deeper than it appears, and driving through standing water can create wakes that push water onto nearby homes and properties.
Please obey all posted signs, road closures, and No Wake restrictions. If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find an alternate route.
Help keep yourself, your neighbors, and our community safe. Be safe. Stay dry.
Be Hurricane Ready: Stay One Step Ahead
Stay one step ahead as peak hurricane season approaches. The best time to prepare is before a storm is on the way.
- Download the free Ready Pinellas app to create your emergency plan, use an emergency kit checklist, and keep important info at your fingertips.
- Sign up for Alert Pinellas to receive emergency notifications about evacuations, severe weather, boil water notices and other urgent situations.
Get started today:
Ready Pinellas – https://pinellas.gov/ready-
pinellas Alert Pinellas – https://pinellas.gov/alert-
pinellas 
Hurricane Center Gulfport Encourages Boater Safety and Storm Preparedness During Hurricane Season
Now that storm season is underway, the City of Gulfport encourages residents and boaters to take proactive steps to protect life and property during severe weather events. Boaters are urged to relocate vessels to safe harbors or designated hurricane holes when possible, secure anchors and mooring lines, remove loose items and sails, test bilge pumps and batteries, and document vessels for insurance purposes. Staying alert to local weather updates and evacuation guidance is also essential to reducing risk and improving safety on the water.
In addition, the City’s Hurricane Preparedness webpage provides a centralized resource to help residents prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes, flooding, and other emergencies. The page includes evacuation zone details, shelter information, flood safety guidance, sandbag usage instructions, pet preparedness resources, debris removal information, emergency contacts, and links to additional county and state emergency management tools. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared before, during, and after storms by visiting https://mygulfport.us/
hurricane. 
More Info Gulfport Residents: Take Extra Precautions Against Mosquitoes
Pinellas County Mosquito Control is reporting increased mosquito-borne virus activity following recent rainfall. Residents are encouraged to follow the 3 Ds: Dress in protective clothing, Defend with insect repellent, and Dump or cover standing water around your property. Mosquito Control has increased treatments throughout the county. Help protect our community by checking your property for standing water and eliminating mosquito breeding areas.
Gulfport: Don’t Miss Out on Hurricane Recovery Grants!
The People First Hurricane Recovery Programs are here to support homeowners, renters, and local landlords impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton. These programs provide funding and assistance to repair damage, prevent long-term displacement, and make housing safer and more affordable.
Eligible Gulfport residents may apply online at https://recover.pinellas.gov or by calling (727) 606-3307. Case managers are available by phone, at county offices, and during community pop-up events to help guide applicants through the process.
Apply Now! 
Let’s Keep Gulfport Beautiful and Our Streets Clean! Keeping grass clippings out of the street helps protect our bay, prevent flooding, and keep roads safe. Bag, compost, or blow clippings back onto your lawn to recycle nutrients naturally.
Every small action helps keep Gulfport clean, green, and beautiful. Thank you for doing your part to care for our community!
Visit our Website A Message from the Gulfport Police Department: Keep Sidewalks Clear
Help keep Gulfport safe and accessible for everyone by keeping sidewalks clear.
Under Florida Statute 316.1945, vehicles and other obstructions are not permitted on sidewalks, as they can create serious hazards, especially for pedestrians using wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility aids. Violations may result in fines or towing.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our community walkable and safe!
Learn More Utility Marking: Decoding the Marks
Seeing colored flags or paint in your yard or along the street? Those markings mean underground utilities have been located within public rights-of-way or utility easements before contractors start work. They help prevent damage and keep everyone safe.
Remember, these markings show public utility lines, but private lines, like irrigation, outdoor lighting, or propane may still be underground and unmarked.
Always call 811 before you dig. It’s free, it’s the law, and it helps prevent damage, outages, and injuries!
1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule Photographs
Photos from the opening of Gulfport’s 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule are now available online. Explore this special collection and take a look back at a unique piece of our community’s history.
Photo Gallery 
Gulfport Public Library Story Trail Initiative
The Gulfport Public Library is inviting community members and local businesses to help bring a new outdoor literacy experience to life through the Gulfport Story Trail. This interactive project will transform a park pathway into a walking storybook, with illustrated pages displayed along the trail so families can read together while exploring Gulfport’s parks. To help make the project possible, the library is seeking sponsors for approximately 20 outdoor reading stations. Each sponsored station will include an engraved plaque recognizing the donor, business, or honoring a loved one. Once completed, the Story Trail will promote literacy, encourage physical activity, and provide a year-round resource for families, schools, and visitors. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact the Gulfport Public Library at libraryinfo@mygulfport.us or 727-893-1074.
Adopt-a-Drain City of Gulfport Adopt-a-Drain Program
Did you know that keeping storm drains clear helps reduce roadway flooding, protects our local waterways, and keeps our community safe? The City of Gulfport’s Adopt-a-Drain Program makes it easy to make a big impact right in your own neighborhood.
Simply choose a storm drain near your home, workplace, or favorite walking route, monitor it regularly, and remove leaves and debris as needed. After clearing debris, contact Gulfport Public Works at (727) 893-1089 for pickup.
It’s a simple way to protect our streets and our shoreline, one drain at a time!
City of Gulfport Utilities Department Online Utility Service Application
The City of Gulfport Utility Billing – Customer Service Division provides an online Utility Service Application, making it easy for new customers to start water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater, and recycling service. The secure online form allows applicants to upload required documents and submit everything from any computer or mobile device.
In-person assistance is still available at Gulfport City Hall for those who prefer to apply in person.
The application can be accessed anytime at: mygulfport.us/utilities/
utility-account-application- form. Applications submitted before 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, are eligible for same-day activation. For more information, visit mygulfport.us/utilities or contact Utility Billing – Customer Service at utilitiesinfo@mygulfport.us or (727) 893-1016.
City of Gulfport Special Events Trolley/WRD Looper
The City of Gulfport Special Events Trolley/Waterfront Redevelopment District (WRD) Looper services large-scale special events and the First Friday and Third Saturday Night Markets from 5 to 9 p.m. and the Second Saturday’s at Trolley Market Square from 4 – 8 p.m. throughout the year.
For more information and to view all of the Loopers convenient pickup spots, please visit https://mygulfport.us/trolley/
. 
Learn More Improving Lives Through the Power of Information & Hope
At First Contact, our goal is to have a community that is connected and informed regarding critical health and human service information for those who need help and those who are willing to volunteer or donate their time to local community agencies.
Care About Me confidentially helps all residents of all ages, insured or not, by eliminating the guesswork or need to search for local behavioral health services by creating a space where residents or family members of individuals in non-crisis can call in, speak directly with experienced behavioral health specialists who can triage their needs, and get an appointment scheduled with a local provider.
For more information, visit https://careaboutme.org or call 1-888-431-1998.
Gulfport History Museum Operating Hours - Monday & Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thursday: 12 – 4 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday: Noon – 4 p.m. (1st and 3rd Saturdays)
- Sunday: Closed
727-893-1161 | historymuseum@mygulfport.us
Gulfport provides once-a-week collection of household recyclables. Curbside service is provided to all single-family and duplex homes, apartment/condo complexes, mobile home parks and smaller businesses. Items collected are plastic containers and jugs, steel cans, aluminum cans, mixed paper, cardboard and newspaper.
A drop-off center is located at the Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th Street South, for glass containers (all colors), mixed paper, and cardboard. It is open 24 hours / 7 days a week. For more information, visit https://mygulfport.us/public-
works-department/. 
The Gulfport Public Works Department located at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center (1617 49th St. S.) is an official collection site for rechargeable batteries!
For more information, please call 727-893-1089 or visit https://mygulfport.us/public-
works-department/. 
Learn more The City of Gulfport Private Waterline and Sewer Lateral Replacement Assistance Program offers financial reimbursement after the replacement of a deteriorated residential waterline or sewer lateral. City Utilities residential water or sewer customers are eligible for a rebate of 50% up to $3,500.00 after the purchase, installation, and inspection of failing waterlines or sewer lateral between the home connection and the city connection.
The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families.
Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today.
GEMS door-to-door transportation has provided independence & freedom to elderly and disabled residents of Gulfport for over 40 years.
Any Gulfport residents 65 & older or residents with a disability can take advantage of GEMS door to door service for a yearly membership of $70 plus $2 per one-way trip. For more information, call 893-2242.
City of Gulfport, Florida | https://mygulfport.us/ 
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field
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Very Rough Conditions Continue in SW Atlantic – Fred Pickhardt
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Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreA Gale Warning is in effect for parts of the southwestern North Atlantic due to a stationary front creating strong gale-force winds and high seas. Rough conditions are also impacing parts of the Bahamas and SE US coast.
A stationary front extends from 31N 65W to 24N 79W. West of the front string to near gale winds (20–30 knots) with frequent gale-force gusts are causing rough to very rough seas and swells ranging from 4.0 to 5.5 meters (13-18 feet) (outside the Bahamas). Conditions are expected to continue for another 12-24 hours.
Forensic Marine Weather Expert
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Boat-Company Wrecker Declares Personal Bankruptcy – Loose Cannon
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Michael Reardon The guy who was the kiss of death for Catalina Yachts—now back in business—was a financial mess, according to his personal bankruptcy filing. Michael Alexander Reardon filed for Chapter 7 liquidation late last month, declaring $3.28 million in unsecured liabilities against assets worth $574,000.
According to the September 30 petition, Reardon’s personal debt includes $866,953 in combined credit card and merchant cash advance (MCA) obligations, including related revenue-based financing and personal guarantees.
MCA debt is an obligation a business incurs after receiving an upfront lump-sum cash advance in exchange for a percentage of future sales. Legally, an MCA is structured as a purchase of future receivables rather than a traditional loan. That structure allows MCAs to bypass conventional banking regulations and state usury laws.
The largest individual creditor on the list is Catalina Yachts Inc., with a claim of $1.78 million representing about 54 percent of all reported unsecured debt. In April 2025 Reardon entered into a purchase agreement with the California parent company of Catalina Yachts in Largo Florida which required him to make regular payments.
In July, a state court in Pinellas County Florida awarded that amount to California Catalina in what was framed as a landlord-tenant lawsuit. Defendant Reardon was a no-show.
Reardon reported 100 percent ownership interests in five boatbuilding entities, each assigned a value of zero dollars in his personal bankruptcy schedules. Besides Catalina, the most familiar of these was Tartan Yachts, which Reardon acquired in September 2025. The factory reportedly had to shut down for a brief period.
In January, after Reardon had presided over the demise of Catalina, the owner of Tartan’s rigging partner, Great Lakes Rigging and Supply, came to the rescue and acquired Tartan, which continues to build boats at its Ohio factory.
The remaining three entitities center around Group Holdings, which spent a few years building a single carbon fiber at a factory in Edenton, North Carolina. Daedalus shut down operations in August 2025, as Reardon’s business partner and buyer for the only boat ever begun, had the unfinished hull shipped to Europe for completion and put the factory building up for sale.
Michael Reardon’s Year of Living Dangerously
·November 5, 2025Read full story Reardon also reported a declining income as the above events were transpiring—$186,000 in 2024, $124,000 in 2025 and $74,000 so far this year.
Reardon’s petition listed two personal boats as assets and priced for liquidation. One is Little One, a 1969 Chesapeake Bay wooden crabber valued at $2,500. The other is a 1966 83-foot steel boat designed by Goudy & Stevens and valued at $7,000.
He is listed as owing $8,000 to Edenton Marina. Reardon also owes more than $15,000 to a couple who worked for him at Catalina. David and Madeline Cayce had obtained a court judgement against him for unpaid wages with the help of the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights.
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