Volunteer opportunities are for current members of
Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Members can select committees to volunteer with on their membership application or by emailing us at pomhamrockslighthouse@yahoo.com.
EVENTS COMMITTEE
The Events Committee for the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse plans and carries out our programs and celebrations for the year. Traditional events have included a Spring & Fall speaker series, the Memorial Day Parade, a summer picnic, the Looff Arts Festival in August, and the Annual Meeting. Now that we can bring the public to the island, and have a bigger launch, there are also opportunities to host visitations to the Lighthouse. Additionally, the Committee is in charge of selling Pomham Rocks Lighthouse merchandise.
Please join us and add your voice to the Committee. It’s a great group of people to work with.
BOAT COMMITTEE
We currently have two boats we use to access the lighthouse and are looking for Captains, First Mates, or any volunteer looking to help out with maintenance. If you love being on the water and have previous boating experience or are willing to learn, volunteering on our boat crew might be for you!
The Fleet
Li’l Pomham: An 18′ Trip Angler open cockpit boat with a 70 HP outboard motor. This vessel is kept in standby on a trailer at our storage area. No special licensing is required to operate “Li’L Pomham”. Experience with boat operation and basic navigation as well as familiarity with the Rules of the Road is required. The “Li’L Pomham “ requires a crew of two and can seat 5.
Lady Pomham II: A single screw 26’ passenger launch powered with an 80 Hp diesel inboard engine. The “Lady Pomham II” is our primary boat and is kept in a slip in Cranston. It is used for tours and work parties to the lighthouse as well as occasional events. It has a passenger capacity of 19 (2 crew and 17 passengers). The “Lady Pomham II” is classified by the U.S. Coast Guard as a “T” boat as defined by the US Code of Federal Regulations 46 CFR Subchapter T.
Volunteer Requirements
Captain Requiremnts: The Captain of the Lady Pomham II must hold a US Merchant Marine 25 GRT inland Master’s license or greater. The Captain must also hold a TWIC card and a US Coast Guard approved First Aid / CPR course certificate. The Captain is subject to random drug screenings as required by 29 CFR Part 40. The U.S Coast Guard conducts an annual inspection of the launch to include all documentation, safety checks and conducts underway drills. Underway drills include Man Overboard, Fire & Loss of Steering scenarios.
First Mate Requirements: The First Mate of the Lady Pomham II is not required to hold a license but familiarity with boat operation and basic navigation as well as familiarity with the Rules of the Road is required. The First Mate is subject to random drug screenings as required by 29 CFR Part 40. The U.S Coast Guard conducts an annual inspection of the launch to include all documentation, safety checks and conducts underway drills. Underway drills include Man Overboard, Fire & Loss of Steering scenarios.
Boat Maintenance and upkeep: As with any vessel there are always things that need attention. If you have a background in marine diesel engine or outboard motor maintenance or simply would like to help maintain the appearance of our two vessels , we would welcome you to our Boat Committee
WORK PARTIES
Work parties mainly occur April through September at Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. Work party volunteers help restore and preserve the lighthouse grounds to a historical standard. They also keep the interior of the lighthouse in a spotless condition. Typical work party tasks include grass mowing, brush cutting, dock cleaning, occasional painting, brass polishing, window cleaning, floor cleaning, and other projects as they arise. Those who select work parties off on their annual membership form receive “The Lightkeeper”, an annual booklet listing the dates, times and tasks for the season’s work parties. At the end of the work party, volunteers have time to themselves to relax, eat and enjoy the lighthouse before heading back to shore.
DOCENTS
Docents are needed to staff our tours to the lighthouse. Each tour requires four docents. Docents are responsible for monitoring visitors as they explore the museum, ensure the artifacts on display remain untouched, guide a limited number of visitors in and out of the lantern room at a time, and sell merchandise in our gift shop. Docents should also have a basic knowledge of the lighthouse’s history. Anyone interested in becoming a docent at the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse museum will receive training on museum procedures and the lighthouse’s history.