Maritime Museum seeks docent volunteers

The Maritime Museum of San Diego, the 501c3 non-profit waterfront destination with an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic landmark vessels, including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India, begins the next Docent Volunteer Training Program to newcomers Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The Maritime Museum of San Diego experience includes admission to a world-class collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and a submarine, each offering entertaining and educational exhibits. Maritime Museum of San Diego is ranked as one of the nation’s top museums and visitor attractions offering self-guided tours, Docent-guided group tours, tall ship charters, San Diego Bay history cruises, Naval history bay tours, year-round public events, award-winning educational programs, and a distinctive venue for corporate/private events.

Individuals interested in the history of exploration and engaging in enhanced social interaction with Docents, the public, and guiding small to large groups throughout the Museum are urged to attend. Functions may also include educating guests while underway participating in on-the-water experiences such as the day sails offered most weekends aboard the galleon replica San Salvador and/or the official tall ship of the state, the topsail schooner Californian. According to Raymond Ashley, Ph.D., K.C.I., President/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, “The Docents add tremendous value to the visitor experience. Their knowledge and friendliness make an impression for all ages and assist in creating an unforgettable, entertaining, and educational memory when guests tour the Maritime Museum of San Diego fleet, below-deck exhibits or participate in our widely popular on-the-water activities.”

Docent volunteers will learn about worldwide maritime history with a special focus on the 16^th through 21^st centuries represented by the vessels and artifacts in the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s collection. Docents will engage with museum visitors, fielding their questions and sharing knowledge to enrich the guest experience. Training is conducted through a series of lectures, suggested readings, and walking tours.

Aspiring Docents are invited to attend the 2024 training series of lectures and ship tours beginning Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego on the upper west-end deck of the historic Victorian-era 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley. Interested members of the community must register online in advance of training at https://sdmaritime.org/get-involved/