Three Lighthouses Go Dark For Repairs
By Sue Clark on Oct 14, 2009 in News 
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Outer Banks Lighthouses Out of Service
The National Park Service says the Bodie Island Lighthouse, North Carolina, will shut down for at least 18 months. Repairs include removing 344 glass prisms for cleaning, restoring the panels that hold the prisms and the pedestal that supports the lens, strengthening the lighthouses spiral staircases, and installing a fire detection and suppression system.
Ocracoke Lighthouse is also down, with the work expected to take about four months. The repairs will include renovation of metal work on the interior and exterior, correcting the lightning protection measures and painting both the inside and outside of the lighthouse.
St. Simon’s Lighthouse
The Coastal Georgia Historical Society has turned off the St. Simons Island lighthouse’s beam to accommodate an extensive restoration of the 150-year-old structure.
A temporary light installed by the Coast Guard will guide mariners during the outage. Historical Society Executive Director Pat Morris said the repair work is expected to take three to four months.
Although the beacons will be missed, it’s definitely worthwhile to get them in shape to send their beams for many more generations to enjoy.
Photo Credit: Looking up the staircase, Bodie Island Lighthouse by mathus. Some rights reserved.
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1 Comment(s)
By Terens Quito on Aug 23, 2010 | Reply
They must also be aware that the lighthouses must have an appropriate budget for repair and most especially for maintenance.