If you get into trouble on local waters and need to call the Coast Guard for assistance, there’s a good chance you’ll be talking to Coast Guard Auxiliary member Bruce MacCormac on the radio. Auxiliarist MacCormac, or Aux Mac as he’s known by the crews at CG Station Boothbay Harbor, was recently recognized by the active duty Coast Guard for his outstanding service as a communications watchstander.

On Oct. 5, Capt. Brian J. LeFebvre, commander USCG Sector Northern New England, made the trip from South Portland to CG Station Boothbay Harbor to present MacCormac with the “Coast Guard Auxiliary Commendation Medal” for services rendered from April 2015 to December 2017. During that period, Aux Mac performed over 3,300 hours of communications watchstanding, trained 15 newly arrived station personnel for the watchstander position, and handled 44 Search and Rescue (SAR) cases as lead watchstander.

His time served at the station during his seven days per week, May through October schedule, was recognized as equivalent to two additional active duty personnel who were then available for training or the performance of other station duties. The time spent on duty during MacCormac’s daily shifts is used for much more than just radio tasks; his integration into all aspects of station operations allows him also to assume the roles of coach, counselor and unofficial morale officer.

The period referenced in the award citation covered just three boating seasons; so far in 2018, MacCormac has served a further 1,300+ hours of communications watchstanding, pushing his totals since 2013, his first year in the job, to over 5,500 watchstander hours, 25 station personnel trained and 70 SAR cases as case lead.

The award citation reads in summation: “Auxiliarist MacCormac’s dedication, judgement and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.”