Commodore Jeff Hecklau returns to lead Longboat Harbour Yacht Club

By Dana Kampa
| 7:30 a.m. January 19, 2026

Leaders from the Longboat Harbour Yacht Club participate in the swearing-in ceremony during the Jan. 17 Change of Watch. From left, John Shea, dockmaster; Susan Luke, purser; Herb Ritchell, scribe; Mike Perez, vice commodore; and Jeff Hecklau, commodore.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

The Longboat Harbour Yacht Club held its 2026 Change of Watch ceremony on Jan. 17, welcoming back Jeff Hecklau as commodore.

Besides dockmaster John Shea, Hecklau is joined by a new leadership team.

Last year's officers included Brenda Yewell, Mike Cantrell, Gregg Stanley, John Harkness and Robert Geraci. New this year are Susan Luke as purser, Herb Ritchell as scribe and Mike Perez as vice commodore.

Town Commissioner Steve Branham, joined that evening by his wife Susan Phillips, conducted the swearing-in ceremony at the club's Recreation Hall after offering a few words on the tradition of the Change of Command.

"This is one of the most time-honored traditions in the maritime services," he said. "It's a solemn event, yet also a joyous one."

He encouraged the new leaders to remember the responsibility and accountability that come with the chain of command.

Hecklau thanked Branham for his years of service as a rear admiral for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Longboat Harbour Yacht Club Commodore Jeff Hecklau commended dock owners for their efforts to make the Lighting of the Docks particularly impressive this season.

Former Longboat Harbour Yacht Club Commodores Joe and Kathy Sever applaud the newest fleet leaders at the Change of Watch on Jan. 17.

John Shea, Susan Luke, Herb Ritchell, Mike Perez, Jeff Hecklau, Steve Branham and Susan Phillips

The freshly re-sworn commodore said he anticipates an exciting year for the club, with developments to include filling 11 open dock slots.

Longboat Harbour Owners Association President Dale Mackovjak noted in his remarks that the yacht club does more than oversee management of the facility's docks. It also plays a key role in maintaining the organization's social ties.

"As one of our past commodores said, it's really about boaters helping boaters," he added.

He continued, "We're very fortunate to have such an active club be part of the Longboat Harbour community."

The ceremony concluded with a bagpipe performance by David Driscoll.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.