Lighthouse Marine Insurance Newsletter

Harbormaster Seeks to Preserve
Nautical Heritage of Long Beach

City of Long Beach Harbormaster Joe Pitisi is spearheading the formation of a maritime museum in Long Beach which will reflect the city's rich and varied past.

Pitisi's private interest in maritime heritage ("My home sort of looks like a nautical museum," he said) spurred him to explore the possibility of a museum along the waterfront. "Long Beach is such a nautical town, there is so much nautical history. I couldn't understand why Long Beach doesn't have a nautical museum of our own. He brought his question to the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, who gave him the green light to initiate research and form a 501c3 non-profit foundation.

"Every city or port on the water has their own little niche," said Pitisi. "But Long Beach is huge."

"It has everything from the port operations to Transpac and Seafest; the lifeguards, marine patrol, water skiing events, Olympic events, the Navy..."He cited a list two-pages-long of various events and activities that have taken place in Long Beach since its settlement in 1881. "Long Beach is a very diverse city, and I want this museum to be all things to all people." Pitisi envisioned a museum that would offer both an atmosphere of learning and "a wow factor." He added, "My vision is to have it on the Queen Mary: it's a great place for a nautical museum. Or someplace in Shoreline Village, where there's a lot of traffic. The location has to be right."

The city would be wise to open its doors to a nautical heritage attraction. In the decade since the Aquarium of the Pacific opened, it has become a prime destination for visitors. Long Beach relies on a healthy tourism industry: upwards of $350-million were spent by an estimated 5-million visitors last year. Pitisi has a longstanding history along the waterfront. In his seventh year as Harbormaster at Rainbow Harbor, he was a Harbor Patrol Officer and Boat Operator for 20 years prior. He privately owns a 20-foot Shamrock - his fifth boat - which he uses locally for fishing. He also sails and kayaks. In addition, Pitisi formed Lighthouse Marine Insurance in 1995; so it's no surprise his entrepreneurial appetite was whet by the concept of forming a maritime museum. "At work they said, 'Do you really want to take this on?'" Pitisi admitted, "It's going to be bigger than me."

So for now, he said, "I'm planting seeds." "This is something that needs to happen. Reactions have been strong. It's time." Exhibit donations are not being accepted yet, however tax dectible monetary contributions can be sent to the Long Beach Nautical Museum at P.O. Box 41096, Long Beach, CA 9853. Or contac Joe Pitis at joepitisi@aol.com or telephone 562-431-8627.

Magazine: dockside - California Edition issue October 2007. Article: "docktalk" on page 12

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