Harold Knudsen Promoted to Marine Patrol Major

MOREHEAD CITY – Harold Knudsen is the new major of the N.C. Marine Patrol.

He received his golden oak leaves in a pinning ceremony this week at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters in Morehead City.

The major is second in command in Marine Patrol ranks. The position supervises all Marine Patrol field operations for the state, which cover 2.7 million acres of ocean and coastal waters and 4,000 miles of shoreline in 21 counties.

“His years of experience, both in the field and as a supervisor, as well as the active role he has taken in rule development, make Harold Knudsen extremely qualified for this job,” said Col. Rex Lanier, head of Marine Patrol.

Knudsen began his career with Marine Patrol in 1983 as a patrol officer in Carteret County. In 1998, Knudsen was promoted to sergeant in Marine Patrol District 3, which covers the Wilmington area. He became lieutenant of District 2, the Morehead City area, in 2003.

“It is very humbling to be in this position now; it is something that I have always worked towards my whole career,” Knudsen said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead and the work that needs to be done to move the Marine Patrol forward in a positive and proactive way.”

He is a native of Carteret County, who hails from the Downeast community of Bettie. His family was mostly involved in the merchant marines industry, which was not uncommon in the area.

“As a young boy, I realized the vast beauty of the outdoors and the importance that the coastal waters made to the small coastal communities where I lived,” Knudsen said. “The water and its natural resources were just a wonderful place to grow up as a kid.

“I knew from that early age that I never wanted to leave that beauty and that I would do everything I could to protect it,” Knudsen said. “Taking that job back in 1983 was a dream come true for me. Even though it has, at times, been challenging throughout the years, I wouldn’t take one day back.”

Knudsen began his duties Dec. 1, replacing former Maj. Mike Davis, who retired in September after 30 years with Marine Patrol.

Knudsen lives in Beaufort with his wife Patti Fowler.

He can be reached for comment at (252) 808-8133 or [email protected]. A photograph of Lanier pinning the golden oak leaves on Knudsen can be downloaded at http://www.ncfisheries.net/news/images2010/DSC_0013.JPG.

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