Train To Be a Maritime Museum of San Diego Docent
The Maritime Museum of San Diego invites new volunteers to train as docents and help bring maritime history to life at Star of India Wharf. Through an engaging 11-week series of lectures, readings, and guided tours aboard historic vessels, participants learn to interpret artifacts, guide visitors, and share the rich seafaring heritage preserved within the Museum’s fleet. Trainings are held Tuesday mornings on the upper deck of the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley.
Highlights of Being a Maritime Museum Docent
-
Share maritime history.
Docents bring San Diego’s seafaring past to life—interpreting ships, artifacts, and exhibits for visitors of all ages. -
Be part of living history.
Work aboard historic vessels like Star of India, Berkeley, and Californian, helping preserve and present them to the public. -
Engage with visitors.
Guide tours, answer questions, and create memorable experiences that connect people to maritime culture and exploration. -
Learn and grow.
Receive in-depth training through lectures, readings, and guided tours that build knowledge and public speaking confidence. -
Join a dedicated community.
Become part of a passionate team of volunteers who share your enthusiasm for history, sailing, and education. -
Enjoy a flexible commitment.
Training takes place one morning a week (Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) for ten weeks, with ongoing volunteer opportunities afterward. -
Make a lasting impact.
Your work helps preserve maritime heritage, support museum operations, and inspire the next generation of explorers.
2026 Docent Training Series
Aspiring docents are invited to attend the 2026 training series of lectures and ship tours beginning Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego on the upper deck of the ferryboat Berkeley.
Training sessions are held on Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Interested members of the community must register online in advance of training.
Registration closes Friday, January 16, 2026.Register Now for Docent Training
Membership required:
Current membership in the Maritime Museum of San Diego is required to participate in the Docent Training Program.
Our docents are passionate volunteers who bring the museum to life. They share their knowledge of our ships and exhibits, guiding visitors of all ages and interests through engaging tours.
Additional questions about the Docent Training Program may be directed to the Docent Training Director,
Jim Cassidy at
jimdcass@aol.com or (661) 406-0605.
We welcome new docent volunteers year-round. Training is available through our Docent Training Classes, the Docent Mentorship Program, or a combination of both. Annual formal training typically begins in early January and runs for multiple consecutive weeks on Tuesday mornings, starting with a brief social meet-and-greet. The program covers a wide range of topics to prepare docents to interpret the museum’s collections with confidence and enthusiasm.