U.S. Coast Guard
Light Station Boston

Maintenance Opportunities at the Nation’s Oldest Lighthouse Station

25 January 2007

 The Boston Light Augmentation Program provides Auxiliarists with 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 (Keeper’s House, Boathouse, Oil House, Cistern Building, Generator Room, and Museum Room). The interior of the house also is in need of painting. There is 1 ½ acre of lawn that requires regular mowing and trimming. The Island located in the outer harbor, exposed to the elements, allows only for outside work to be occur Mid-June through Mid-October. One CG Civilian Keeper and a cadre of Auxiliarists provide the routine maintenance of 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 3,700 visitors come to the island during the summer months. It is important for the premises look “kept up” for these visits. As with any old home, it takes exorbitant amount time and energy to maintain. And, with Boston Light being the oldest Light Station in the country, it is with great pride the island look pristine. 

Time:  “day duty” from approx 0930 to 1730.

 Requisites to volunteer for maintenance tasks at Light Station Boston:

•  have a member number

•  be physically capable of doing the task(s) being offered to perform

•  have experience with the type of work being offering. Note: on-the-job (OJT) training is not available due to the need for Auxiliarists to work without supervision. An exception to this may be an experienced Auxiliarist bringing along another less experienced member to assist with a particular task.

Transportation Mid-June to Mid-October:

Friday-Sunday, transportation is available via the National Park’s chartered vessel from Fan Pier in Boston. Whenever possible an Auxiliary vessel provides transportation from Pemberton Pier in Hull 7-days a week.

 Uniform is not required to be worn on the island. It is recommend members bring work clothes.

 There are no required number of volunteer days sought (e.g. a member may come out for one duty or many). Coast Guard non-reimbursable orders will be provided. Members are to bring their your own picnic lunch because of having no concession available on the island.  This is a Coast Guard Operational Support Mission reportable as 7D on the Mission Hour Report Form 7030.

 Interested members are to complete a “Maintenance at Boston Light” form submitted to:

            Colleen Kloster   617-568-9908     E-mail:  vonfyhren@att.net 

 Two week notice of date to volunteer is needed to insure sufficient time to send orders and obtain supplies specific to the work project.