Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the light houses are all automated now. I was however stationed at an aton unit that would service the light house from time to time.
I did serve with a BM1 that had been stationed at a light house and was responsible for its upkeep. I don't know where this was anymore as time seems to erase stuff if you don'r revisit it every now and again.
I believe that Boston Light is the last lightstation with a keeper. It may have to do with the historical aspect (national landmark ?) than operational requirements.
MK1 Rich Bennett was one of the last OinCs of a First District lightstation , Isle of Shoals, in NH. I think there was one more on the Kennebec River that kept a keeper later.
Saw a video clip today about CG selling lighthouses. A guy in Va bought one for $65,000. I believe they said it was Thimble Shoal light. Apparently a bunch have been sold and about a dozen go on the block this year. Qualifying to buy one is a bit of work and you also have to agree to maintain the structure to "historic" standards.
Actually, to a degree yes. They have been evaluated for potential uses very similar to range boards and/or danger sectors of a light. Where you would see one color light only if you were 'on range,' and see another color(s) if you right/left of range and maybe even another if you were outside of the safe channel. Haven't seen anything on the subject in a while, but been out of ATON for a while.
I though Hawaii still had a maned lighthouse, I remember my old EM1 telling me about that as the legendary cake job an EM.
There still is light house duty, but we aren't tenants; usually. During times when troubleshooting may take more than a day, I have the option of staying to do the trouble shooting.
Duty usually consists of being on call 24/7. I just recently completed the ATON class. The most recent research for lighthouse illumination involves a LED. It looks like a flying saucer and is completely plug-and-play. Definately don't want to get caught staring into that light.
Actually all of the light houses are automated now with the exception of Boston Light house. However the CG Auxilary is manning it now, there are now active duty coasties attached there. Sector Boston helps maintain the buildings and ANT Boston works the light still.
Boston Light is indeed automated, and has been for a while. However, it is the only light station in the country that is stilled "manned," though others around the country may still be in use as CG housing and such.
Used to fly out to Cape Decision and Five Fingers light out of Sitka.. Very cool landing on the helo pad perched over the cliffs and a very hairy tail rotor inspection while the tail hung over the helo pad and the cliffs and water below.
In that case Boston Light is not automated, the Coast Guard aux mans it for the majority of the year, we installed an alarm system there back in 2000. I also monitors the temps in the building and if the power is dropped.
