Background

Light Station Boston is located on Little Brewster Island at the entrance of Boston Harbor and is the oldest light station (1716) in the country.  It is currently the only U.S. Coast Guard Light Station that remains staffed.  As of September 2003, a civilian Keeper has been appointed with the island being staffed with Coast Guard Auxiliary Watchstanders (assistant keepers).

The active duty that had been assigned to the island has been re-assigned to meet the needs of Homeland Security efforts.  There is one Coast Guard Engineer from Sector Boston Engineering who ensures the facility is sufficiently maintained.  This is a significant shift from 1980 – 2000 when the Auxiliary performed duty at Light Station Boston, without any training, as a means to allow an active duty person to take leave.  An Auxiliarist and one active duty person would staff the station.  

Iin 2000, a program was formalized to “qualify” Auxiliarists as Watchstanders (assistant keepers) with the vision of the Coast Guard, at some point in time, reducing the number of active duty personnel on the island.

The Boston Harbor Island National Park Area was established in 1996 with Little Brewster Island being one of the 34-islands in the Park. Boston Light is referred to as the “Jewel” of the park, holding centerfield in the marketing strategy to draw tourists to the Park.  As of 27 July 1999, the island was officially opened to the public; the first time in its 283 years as a light station.  The Boston Light Augmentation Program provides the needed assistance for both Watchstanders for the Coast Guard and Historical Interpreters (tour guides) for the National Park Service.

There are a total of 13-private and public organizations that comprise the “partnership” in operating the Park.  What makes this National Park unique is that it owns no property.  The Coast Guard continues to own, manage, maintain and staff Little Brewster Island.  The Auxiliary and Civilian Keeper staff the island.  The island is required to be staffed by Auxiliary Watchstanders 24 hours a day from 1 May to 15 October, and whenever Watchstanders are available the winter season.  

Auxiliary Historical Interpreters volunteer for "day duty" (0930 - 1730), augmenting the National Park Service staff . In 2004 approximately 3,700 tourists visited Little Brewster.

Current Needs

Both the National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard are on very tight budgets, dependent upon volunteers to ensure the success of their missions. Consequently, the Boston Light Augmentation Program is looking to expand its Historical Interpreter and Watchstander Programs in 2005.
 
In 2003 the Coast Guard was able to achieve their goal in reducing the number of active duty assigned to Boston Light by utilizing Auxiliary Watchstanders to staff the island. There continues to be a need to expand the Watchstander program to ensure 100% staffing of the island 7-days a week 24-hours a day from May to October. Historical Interpreters (tour guides) are being sought to augment the National Park Rangers during the days the island is open from 16 June to 2 Oct 2005. The Interpreter program is “day duty” (0930-1730), where the Watchstander Program requires staying over night (24-hours) on the island from a Wed-Sun or Sun-Wed.
 

Components to the Program

The Boston Light Augmentation Program has two components, each having their own qualifying criteria:

1. Historical Interpreter (tour guide) to augment National Park staff for daily tours (0930– 1730)
2. Watchstander (assistant light keeper) to stand watches at Boston Light for 4 to 7-days (24 hours a day Wed-Sun, Sun-Wed, Sun-Sun, or Wed-Wed) this duty includes participating as an Interpreter when needed

Success of the Program

The Boston Light Augmentation Program was introduced in the spring of 2000.  During its first season, 56 Auxiliarists were trained as Historical Interpreters (tour guides) and 27 qualified as Lighthouse Watchstanders (assistant lighthouse keepers).  This was a phenomenal accomplishment considering the recruiting and training occurred over an eight month period of time.  Both programs continue to be very successful with 100 Interpreters actively participating in 2004 donating over 2,000 volunteer hours; and 41 qualified Watchstanders donating over 7,000 volunteer hours.

Pre-Requisites for Participation:
Historical “Interpreters” (Tour Guides): There are no pre-requisites for this duty other than having an Auxiliary
member number.

Lighthouse “Watchstanders” (assistant Keepers) Crew Qualified and Interpreter Qualified are pre-requisites
 for this duty along with the ability to climb a 100 foot tower twice a day, and be available for 24 hour duty for 4 to 7 consecutive days (Sun-Wed, Wed-Sun, Sun-Sun, or Wed-Wed).  As with the boat crew qualification program, health issues are a consideration for participation in this program.

Important Note for those considering Watchstander duty:  From October to April, weather conditions frequently prevent crew transfers to occur on schedule with the possibility of having a Watchstander report a day early or  later for duty, and/or to be detained on the island waiting for safer conditions for departure. Flexibility is important.

Both programs seek to build a cadre of Auxiliarists who will be with the program for many years to come.  The Watchstander Program, especially, requires a significant amount of training that is time consuming with a long term commitment most beneficial for both the members and the program.

Interested?  Contact: