THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Ahoy,

Do you know that we have a new day in Newport Beach? Now, Oct. 23 was proclaimed Duncan McIntosh Day at the Inaugural Marine Industry Good Sea Scout Luncheon last Tuesday.

Congratulations to Duncan McIntosh for being the first recipient of the Newport Sea Base’s award to those who contribute above and beyond to the Marine industry and community.

Duncan is well known in the Marine community as the publisher of Sea and Go Boating magazines, The Log newspaper and Fish Rap. However, in Newport Harbor, he is mostly known as the pioneer who started the Newport In-the-Water boat shows in 1973.

Both the Newport Boat Show and the Lido Yacht Expo have grown from the ’70s to become the largest in-the-water boat shows west of the Mississippi River. They are a huge economic boost to the economy and provide the opportunity for the public to explore boating twice a year.

Duncan is a man of few words, but he gets the job done, especially with the help from his wife, Teri.

Sad news of the week as we celebrate Duncan’s accomplishments, we have lost a legend in Newport. Art Gronsky passed away during his vacation to Alaska. Art was Mr. Newport Harbor with his extensive knowledge of the harbor and his very active involvement throughout the decades of his life. To me, Art was a friend, a mentor and someone whom I strove to emulate.

We will miss seeing his T-bird outside at every local event, and chatting with him for hours about the harbor and its past.

Plus, Seymour Beek will have a difficult challenge to find someone to replace Art as the starter for the annual Flight of the Lasers, and it was me in a past column that started the rumor about Art almost shooting an airplane out of the sky when it was taking off from John Wayne Airport.

The Heavens have gained a wealth of nautical knowledge, but we have lost a friend.

Safe Voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com.