Many of us in our retirement years love keeping busy and staying active in a meaningful way. Those who love boating usually want to stay connected to the boating lifestyle, or participate in the boating industry by volunteering their time, backed by years of knowledge and experience.
Bob, Bill, and Charlie, three individuals in Anacortes, WA are doing just that by volunteering their time 3 days a week at the Marine Technology Center. You can read about their work contributions, background, and enthusiasm below shared with Waggoner:
The Bob Rosain Story. “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…..Bob bought a boat…..and the rest is history.” I was a chemical/environmental consulting engineer, designing and building industrial water treatment plants in the U.S. and internationally, which later morphed into corporate and project management. I got into boating, specifically sailing, in the early 80s. This led to years as crew on several Puget Sound races, dozens of Swiftsure Races, and a Vic-Maui race in 1990. I bought my first boat, a Coronado 25, in 1981, moving up to a Catalina 30, and finally a Catalina 36 that I (tearfully) sold in 2021, thus comprising 40 years of boat ownership. Through it all, I maintained and upgraded these vessels on my own. After moving to Anacortes in late 2023, I soon found that being boatless in Anacortes was just a very strange feeling.
I thought maybe there might be a volunteer opportunity for a retired boat geek like myself at the Marine Technology Center so I talked to Mike Beemer, Instructor and Dept. Chair. He told me about this “little” Around-the Americas Expedition with s/v One Ocean project that was being started, which turned into a pretty intensive, 8-month refit through May of 2025. Although more than I initially had in mind as a “volunteer” commitment, it became one of the most interesting projects I’d ever been associated with, which included working with Mike and all of the MTC staff. It also led to a month-long adventure sailing on s/v Once Ocean from Pond Inlet, Nunavut in the Northwest Passage to Guysborough, Nova Scotia in September 2025.
During the refit of One Ocean, I got involved in just about everything – engines, generator, electrical, electronics, rigging, fiberglass, wood, insultation, headliners, and the list goes on, plus helping to keep things on track. There have also been other opportunities like finishing the Lady MT refit and getting it ready for sale and building stands for several diesel engines used as teaching aids for MTC students. I have come to really appreciate the MTC mission and the important role it plays in the industry.
The Bill Douvier Story. After my 1994 thru 2023 stint as Marina Manager at Anacortes Marina, I was looking for a part-time volunteer opportunity where I could help promote the marine trades. My employment positions had all been hands-on, working with tools on both diesel power and sailing yachts. I had learned of the Around-the-Americas project and refit for s/v One Ocean through Captain Mark Schrader, whom I met while working at Anacortes Marina.
I contacted Mike Beemer, with my list of previous work experience and offered to volunteer my time. My boat experience began in Europe as crew for a 53 Morgan, 65 Swan, and 100-foot power vessel in Ft. Lauderdale; and later as Service Manager for rental boats at Boca Raton Resort Marina in Florida. During the early 80s I served as Maintenance Engineer for m/v High Spirits and then as Captain on the 100-foot Trumpy Mathis, operating charters out of Hilton Head, South Carolina and Boca Raton, Florida. Through the 80s I served as Operations Manger for Regatta Pointe Marina (Palmetto Florida), overseeing 3 charter locations and commissioning of new Morgan, Catalina, and Hunter sailing vessels. In the late 80s and early 90s, I was owner of a yacht services company – repairing charter vessels, commissioning Nonsuch sailing vessels, and handling maintenance and repairs on private vessels. Then came the move to Anacortes, Washington in the mid-90s, where I served as Marina Manager for the 466-slip Anacortes Marina.
Mike was delighted to welcome me as a volunteer. With my hands-on experience, I had the opportunity to work on all parts of the refit for s/v One Ocean. My work at the Marine Tech Center currently involves refurbishing old engines, installing new engines, and fabricating engine parts. I very much enjoy working with the instructors at the Tech Center and all of the volunteers, Messing About on Boats!
The Charley Cooney Story. After serving as a High School Counselor in Lake Stevens for 23 years, I continued my interest in boating by working for several years at Pickering Marine in Shelton, a small boat and motor business. I began my love of boating and sailing at 12 years of age and owned several sailboats throughout my adult years.
I spent the summers circumnavigating Vancouver Island (six times) and sailing to Southeast Alaska on a number of occasions. Journey highlights beyond the Pacific Northwest include serving as crew on a voyage between San Francisco and San Diego; and most recently, as crew for s/v One Ocean between Halifax and Bermuda.
Wanting to save money and learn more about refits, I became a student at the Marine Tech. Center in Anacortes, a department of Skagit Valley College. A proud SVC Marine Tech 2010 Alumni, with ABYC Certificates in Diesel and Electrical, I wanted to repay the Tech Center by volunteering my time for something bigger than myself. It has been 7-8 years to-date of volunteer time and I love the vibe and rewarding work.
My work at the Tech Center has included systems for s/v One Ocean – electrical, engine, deck hardware, genset, cabin refit, steering, and electronics. Other projects have included refrigeration, engine control, fuel, and electrical for Lady MT, in addition to working on the smaller sailboat Thor and a skiff called Skallywagon. I have also worked on the Tech Center’s small electrical Cushman vehicle, among many other projects. Today, I keep busy at the Tech Center building engine carts and mounting the engines as training aids for students who attend the college, our future technicians in the boating industry.
If you love working on projects, want to stay busy, and want to be part of an enthusiastic team effort, then check with your local trade schools or marina regarding volunteer opportunities, or perhaps you would like to help support the many local maritime festivals.
Photos: Lorena Landon
