Coast Guard Station Rochester

Lifesaving Station Charlotte was originally authorized in 1875 as part of the Service build up throughout the Great Lakes and opened October 2, 1876. Several changes came about in 1939; the Coast Guard took over the duties of the U.S. Light House Service and established new light houses at Sodus Point, Charlotte, and Manitou Beach. The new Station was opened in 1939; it had 12 rooms and cost $43,000 and the Boathouse cost an additional $10,000. After 59 years, on February 22, 1944, the units name was changed from “Charlotte Station” to “Rochester Station”. May 1981, Rochester Station received a 44-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB). The Station and Boathouse were completely refurbished in 1985 and then again in 2000, costing $1.2 million dollars. In August 2001 the Motor Life Boat 47285 was delivered and the 44-foot MLB was taken to Group Buffalo for further disposition in November 2001. In July 2011, Station Rochester was designated as the only heavy weather station on Lake Ontario. MLB 47265was transferred to the station; totaling two MLB’s for Heavy Weather Training and Search and Rescue response for the citizens of Lake Ontario. In October of 2017 the Heavy Weather designation was removed causing Station Rochester to change assets to the 45’ RB-M and the 29’ RBS-II in the summer of 2018. Also, during the summer of 2018, the station underwent another $1.2 million rehab refurbishing and updating of all facilities on board the unit.

Unit Information Sheet

Chief Boatswain's Mate Leary
Officer in Charge
U.S. Coast Guard Station Rochester

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Leary assumed command onboard Station Rochester on June 14, 2024.  He entered the Coast Guard on April 20th 2008. He most recently served as the Operations Petty Officer of Coast Guard Station Castle Hill in Newport, Rhode Island from April of 2022 to May of 2024.  

His previous assignments include USCGC TAHOMA (WMEC-908) Kittery, ME from 2008-2011, Aids to Navigation Team Bristol, RI from 2011-2015, Coast Guard Station Castle Hill in Newport, RI from 2015-2020, Patrol Forces Southwest Asia onboard USCGC AQUIDNECK, USCGC ADAK, and USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE from 2020-2021.  

Chief Leary’s personal awards include two Coast Guard Commendation Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals with Operational Distinguishing Device, four Coast Guard Good Conduct Awards, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and other individual, unit, and team awards. He has earned the Permanent Coxswain Insignia, and the Advanced Boat Forces Operations Insignia.  

A native of Riverside, RI; Chief Leary is married to his loving wife Shannon Leary and has two children, Nora and Jack.  

Coast Guard Station Rochester
5500 Saint Paul Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14617
(206) 815-6891