First District Northern Region
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Boston Light Augmentation Program
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
First Northern District

Maintenance Opportunities
at the Nation's Oldest Lighthouse Station

1 January 2009

 The Boston Light Augmentation Program provides Auxiliarists the opportunity to perform maintenance duty on Little Brewster Island, the home of the last Coast Guard Light Station that remains staffed in the country. There are 6 buildings on the island needing exterior painting on a regular basis (Boathouse, Cistern Building, Museum Room, Generator Room, Oil House, and lower portions of the Keeper's House). The interior of the house also is in need of painting. The one-and-a-half acre lawn requires mowing and trimming, regularly. The Island is located in the outer harbor, exposed to the elements, allowing for only seasonal outside work to occur Mid-June to Mid-October. One CG Civilian Keeper and a cadre of Auxiliarists provide the routine maintenance on the island.

 The Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area refers to Boston Light as the "jewel" of the harbor and sponsors seasonal tours to the island. Approximately 3,000 visitors come to the island during the summer months. It is important for the premises to look "kept up" for these visits. As with any old homestead, it takes exorbitant amount of time and energy to maintain. And, with Boston Light being the oldest Light Station in the country, it is with great pride that it looks pristine.

 Requisites to volunteer for maintenance duty at Light Station Boston:

      1.     Have an Auxiliary member number.
2.      Be physically capable of doing the task(s) being offered to perform.
3.      Have experience with the type of work being offered. Note: on-the-job (OTJ) training is not available due to having to work without direct supervision. An exception to this may be with a less experienced Auxiliarist working along side (under the supervision) of an experienced member in assisting with a particular task.

 Transportation 2009

Boston 18 Jun-6 Sept 2009:

Thursday - Sunday, transportation is available via the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area's chartered vessel when both morning and afternoon scheduled tours are running – allowing for five (5) on-island hours. Departure location is from Fan Pier in Boston (by the Moakley Federal Court House and the old Northern Avenue Bridge off Atlantic Ave).

Hours: 0930-1630.

Hull 15 Jun – 11 Oct 2009:

Whenever possible, an Auxiliary vessel departs from Pemberton Pier in Hull 7-days week.  Hours: 0900-1630.

 Uniforms Discussion:

 Boston Departure: wear presentable civilian attire and bring "work" clothes on the vessel. (This is a National Park tour, with visitors from all over the world. It is inappropriate to be wearing tattered/torn, stained, painted clothing.

 Hull Departure: work clothes may be worn on the vessel.

 On-island: work clothing needs to be “presentable” to the public. Shirts (tank top, t-shirt, etc.) need to be worn. Coveralls are available to be worn over clothing.

 Supplies

-         The island is minimally equipped with tools and supplies. If you are planning to scrape paint off a building, and you have a favorite scraping tool from home, you may want to bring it …. and remember to take back with you. Do not "assume" you will be able to find a specific tool or piece of equipment on the island.

      -         Coveralls sizes large and x-large
-         Disposable/paper type masks
-         Goggles
-         Gloves: plastic disposable and cloth
-         Drop clothes
-         Trash bags

-         If you have an idea for a specific project (e.g. repairing wooden picnic table) discuss this with the Keeper to ensure all supplies will be on the island the day you are scheduled for duty.

-         Note: it takes time to order supplies via the Coast Guard's requisition process and budget constrains. If there is a particular item or project needing supplies not readily available on the island, a very long lead time will be needed. No process is available for reimbursing Auxiliarists for purchasing items than it coming out of the Keeper's personal pocket.

 What to bring: (Note: there is no concession on the island - plan accordingly)

      -         picnic lunch
-         beverage (spring water is available to fill a water bottle)
-         outerwear for the predicted weather
-         non-reimbursable orders in case of injury or illnesses
-         When departing from Hull on the Auxiliary vessel, bringing a PFD if you own one.

 Reporting Volunteer Hours

-         Maintenance work at Boston Light is a 07D reported on a 7030 Form. Description: "Boston Light Maintenance Duty"  "In support of Sector of Boston".

-         Transportation time to and from the island, including the time driven in your vehicle and time on the vessel is reported on a 7029 Form.

 Interested? Contact: Keeper Sally Snowman         cell: 617-833-0603
                                       sally.snowman@verizon.net