Frying Pan Tower Volunteers
Volunteers donate their time and talent to help us achieve the mission to restore, protect, and preserve the Frying Pan Tower™. With projects for all skillsets, from scraping to painting, organizing to cooking, and electrical to welding, we have a place for everyone to participate!
Gift Certificates are available! Just add the recipient's name in the Order Notes field when purchasing! We will send you a gift certificate to give to them!
What You Need To Know
FPTower Inc. is dedicated to restoring and preserving a unique part of American history and we depend on skilled volunteers who have an interest in helping restore the tower while enjoying an ocean-life adventure.
Our volunteer vetting process requires that all volunteers possess certain criteria and skill sets, and are required to attend a mandatory training course to ensure safety. As we depend on the help of skilled volunteers, both on and off-shore, we do not hire employees. Occasionally the need to contract for more specialized services may be required.
Some of our more current projects do require volunteers who possess the following specialized skills: welding, electrical work, painting, metal work, cleaning, certified captains, volunteer organizers, and project managers.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are multiple ways to get to Frying Pan Tower:
- BOAT ride by chartered speed boat
- Helicopter N/A (still waiting on FAA approval)
Boat transportation takes just over 1.5 hours and departs from the Morningstar Marina in Southport NC at 9:00 AM. Return trips typically depart from the tower by 10:00 AM. Volunteers should arrive by 8:30 to load their gear prior to departure.
Travel times may vary depending on weather conditions and for safety, departure or return to shore may be delayed.
The cost of transportation to and from the tower is included in your booking.
FPTower Inc. will have at least one designated crew member accompany volunteers.
All travel arrangements are arranged by FPTower, Inc. This is done to best coordinate volunteers, transportation service providers, supplies and equipment needs.
Travel details will be shared with participants prior to departure dates.
Pack light and waterproof with a backpack or dry bag. Sometimes the boat takes some spray from the waves. There is a washer and dryer at the tower so you can wash if needed.
- You will need a couple sets of work clothes for getting dirty and that are easy to move around in.
- A pair of protective work shoes. We recommend wearing your boots rather than packing them.
- A casual weather-appropriate layers of clothing to wear while relaxing.
- A pair of flip flops or tennis shoes.
- Perhaps a swimsuit for the warmer seasons!
- Any doctor prescribed medications.
Frying Pan Tower™ is well equipped with proper safety equipment and stocked with household kitchen bed and bath supplies, essential items like food, drinks, snacks, toiletry items like soap, shampoo and toothpaste, hair dryers, first aid supplies, and sunscreen. If there is something else you might need that is not listed, please check with us first.
For your safety, if you have any allergies (food and non-food) please let us know prior to your visit so we can do our best to accommodate.
We rely on volunteers to achieve our mission to restore, protect and preserve Frying Pan Tower™. During your volunteer stay, we provide home-like accommodations and food for meals like burgers, hot dogs, deli meats, and all the fish you can catch. Accommodations can be made for food preferences if known in advance.
You will have access to all the fun activities after the work period each day if possible. We simply ask that you clean up after yourself during your stay and put things back in order for the next group.
We consider your safety the most important part of having a great adventure. This facility is out in the open ocean and is a very dangerous place where foolish action can result in serious consequences very quickly. FPTower Inc., Frying Pan Tower™, and fractional owners are not liable for accidents. Volunteers are providing volunteer services at their own risk and are required to sign a liability release waiver before being allowed to depart for or while on the Frying Pan Tower™.
No, although the tower is in international waters, it is not an independent country. We are proud to be Americans and helping to restore a Coast Guard Light Station to further science and help keep mariners and divers safer.
Please be aware that exporting or importing illegal substances is not allowed and that charter vessels may be boarded by Coast Guard performing normal operations.
Requirements for Volunteering:
- You must be of relatively good health in both body and mind.
- Must be physically able to perform the assigned tasks. We do not ask people to more than they are able.
- Handicapped persons will accommodated with no climbing required. Be honest and up front about any limitations you may have.
- No children under the age of 10 without expressed permission (or of any age if not able to follow safety instructions).
- Pets are not allowed (sorry, this is not a safe environment for animals).
- Recreational firearms are allowed by permission only and must be unloaded and secured during transport.
- All participants are required to print and sign the liability release waiver in advance and will not be allowed to travel to or onto the tower without it being completed in advance.
FPTower Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Although you cannot deduct the value of your time or services, you may be able to deduct the travel expenses incurred while donating your services. Please check the IRS website or your tax professional for to see if you qualify.