Marina Assistant, John James, will retire from service to the City and its Municipal Marina on July 12, 2020. John is a charter member of the post-Katrina Marina staff and has been the stalwart overseer of the midnight to 8 a.m. shift there ever since. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner license and, because of his vast history and knowledge in boat handling, has been a trusted contributor to training newly hired staff members since his hire date in July of 2011.
 
In his retirement, John stresses that he won’t be going to Disney World, but he will take a month or two off to roam around with no particular destination in mind.  He has had a few good offers to finally put his Merchant Marine Captain's License to work with the most promising one being an opportunity to run an eco-tourism boat throughout the beautiful river systems of South Mississippi.
 
John says that he’s really going to miss working at the Gulfport Municipal Marina as it's hands down the most professionally run marina on the Gulf Coast.  He passes on his thanks to all of his fellow associates for putting up with him throughout his nine years of service to the City of Gulfport and to the marina.