Morro Bay Harbor Director steps down after 20 years

Posted: Jun 25, 2010 6:12 PM by Danielle Lerner
Updated: Jun 25, 2010 10:51 PM

A bittersweet day in Morro Bay as the man at the helm of the city's harbor steps down.

Rick Algert has served as the Morro Bay harbor director for 20 years.

During that time he has worked with the commercial fishing industry and the Embarcadero businesses.

It is the end of an era for the Morro Bay Harbor.

Director Rick Algert has been helping boaters and caring for facilities along the waterfront for the past two decades, and now he is stepping down.

"I've loved the job here, it's been a great honor but I also have a lot of things I've always wanted to do in life and that's exciting," said Algert.

He recalls with pride helping rebuild the South T Pier after a deadly fire in 1988.

"That was a real tragedy for the city and that was quite a project," said Algert.

He has also traveled the country lobbying on behalf of commercial fishermen.

"Rick did more work than most of us fishermen do for ourselves," said Jeremiah Obrien, president of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization. "It's not a business relationship as much as a family."

That close relationship also extends to the Embarcadero where Algert helped upgrade several waterfront buildings.

"We've watched Morro Bay come from a pretty small place to a lot and Rick's been a good part of that," said Del Smith, a lobbyist.

Friends and family packed the Pizza Port to express their appreciation Thursday.

As for what happens next, Algert says the true adventure begins after a few months of work around the house.

"We will travel and I'll be working, I've always wanted to get a pilot's license and things like that," said Algert. "It's bittersweet to be honest with you."

Algert and his family will be staying in Morro Bay.

He is a third generation Californian and says the idea of going somewhere else just is not appealing.

The Morro Bay City Council is still deciding if it will fill Algert's position.

Councilmembers are expected to discuss reorganizing the Harbor Department on Monday.