How to be a Coast Guard watchstander
Becoming a watchstander is one of the fastest ways to really help the active duty Coast Guard in their missions. By getting qualified at Station Marblehead, you can serve (at your convenience) as a radio watchstander. This means you will work in the radio watch center at the station and monitor for radio calls for assistance. You will maintain communications with any Coast Guard boats that are underway. You will answer the station's telephones. If a MAYDAY call comes in, you will handle the communications.
It takes about 80 hours of training on-site to learn to do this. But, it is a rewarding task; you are freeing up an active duty member for other tasks. You will be working with the station in the same manner and under the same orders as an active duty Coast Guard person.
Normal watches ("shifts") are four hours each, 24/7. You can arrange the times to suit your availability and desires.
All it takes is some basic people skills and a commitment to help the public and the Coast Guard. You'll receive all the training and practice you need.
Some local links re watchstanding and training:
Auxiliarist Overholt and BMCM Shoemaker in the Marblehead Watch room