Although she took her name out of the running a few weeks ago, Selectmen have named Fairhaven resident Jill Simmons as the new harbormaster.

“I’ve known her for a long time. She’s very well respected in her field ­– both police and along the waterfront,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer.

Simmons, a resident of Fairhaven and a 41-year veteran of the New Bedford Police Department, withdrew her application as she was also being interviewed for New Bedford’s harbormaster position.

“They haven’t made up their mind yet, so here I am,” said Simmons on Tuesday.

Since her father worked on the New Bedford waterfront until he was 86, Simmons said she’d been inclined to “continue in that in the best interest of the city.”

With the position changing to include more hours and an unclear start date, the retiring police officer took herself out of the running.

The Marine Advisory Board and Selectmen honed down the 11 applicants for the position to three. On June 27, Selectmen interviewed Robert Caton, of Mattapoisett. On Tuesday, they were scheduled to interview Katelyn Schwebach, also of Mattapoisett; however, she withdrew her application on Monday after finding her “dream job.”

The same day, Simmons put her name back in the running.

In her interview, Simmons said her skills were in grant writing and law enforcement.

Simmons listed jet skis as one area that needs enforcement, which got unanimous nods from selectmen and Interim Harbormaster Horace Field.

“Jet skiers are always a huge problem,” she said. “I’m not anti jet ski. I’m just anti nitwit jet ski.”

Simmons currently heads New Bedford’s Port Security Team, maintaining the waterfront. In addition to her more than four decades in law enforcement, Simmons has done extensive training in everything from accident reconstruction to deep diving and cold water/ice rescue.

Simmons also teaches a number of training courses.

Professionally, working with recreation boating would be new to Simmons, although personally she said she has experience as a recreational boater. Simmons has lived on a houseboat in Fairhaven for 19 years and is a scuba diver.

As far as working long hours, Simmons said, “I don’t mind working all night. I’m real used to that.”

Simmons also said she has a good relationship with Police Chief Mary Lyons, and was confident she could develop rapport with the fire chief.

“I can get along with New Bedford Fire; I guess I can get along with the Mattapoisett Fire Department,” she said.

During the interview, Simmons said she would like to start a month after her retirement at the end of August, but she was willing to make regular visits to Mattapoisett to get a feel for the position.

Selectman Paul Silva said he was impressed with Simmons qualifications and her knowledge of laws related to the water.

“I learned more about opportunities than I would ever have dreamt of. She straightened us out on a couple of things,” Silva said.

Selectmen voted unanimously to hire Simmons.

Field plans to stay on as an assistant harbormaster once the position is filled and help with the transition.