Onset Bay Safe Harbor Marinas is only one of the 23 Safe Harbor properties, from Rhode Island to Maine, that Zachary Commeau oversees. However, it’s the one that’s nearest and dearest to his heart. 

“I grew up swimming at Onset Beach,” said Commeau. “I wanted to make sure that kids and families that were going into the waters of Onset Beach were properly protected.”

The 25-year-old Wareham native is the Regional Environmental Health and Safety Manager for Safe Harbor Marinas. He has recently been honored with the receipt of Boating Industry Magazine’s 40 Under 40 award, which recognizes young leaders in the maritime industry. 

The recognition has been “truly a whirlwind,” he said. “I cannot speak highly enough about everyone that has supported me and also given me the opportunity to make a change. 

Commeau got his start in the boating industry at Upper Cape Tech, after going through Wareham Public Schools up until high school. He went through Upper Cape Tech’s maritime tech program, which he credits with setting “the groundwork for my career.”

After school, he bounced around local “mom-and-pop” dockyards before landing at Safe Harbor Marinas. There, he rose to the rank of Regional Environmental Health and Safety Manager. 

In that position, Commeau oversees the environmental safety of Safe Harbor properties. He makes sure the company does its best to limit the footprints of its marinas and makes sure they are being clean and safe with their fueling operations. 

In addition, he looks after the safety of employees at marina locations, ensuring that OSHA guidelines are followed. 

“We want to make sure that our teammates are going home at the end of the day in the same condition that they showed up to work,” he said. 

While Commeau’s job takes him up and down New England, it takes him home to the Onset area. His wife works at Onset Bay Safe Harbor Marinas and they have a 10 month old daughter. Commeau sees his work as having direct benefit for his family. 

“I’m not just changing the waters for strangers, or anything like that,” he said. “I’m changing it for my friends and family that are on the beach.”