Island lighthouse will lose its keeper
From the Nanaimo Daily News: Island lighthouse will lose its keeper.
A lighthouse on Entrance Island, located off the tip of Gabriola Island, will lose its keeper for the first time since 1876.
The fully automated lighthouse is one of four along B.C.’s coast that the federal government is looking to destaff in the near future, with more expected in a second phase. The others are on Trial Island near Victoria, Dryad Point near Bella Bella and Cape Mudge on Quadra Island.
As automated technology advances the need for lighthouse staffing is diminishing, according to Coast Guard officials, and removing staff members will reduce costs. Advocates of lighthouse staffing, who have fought automation for years, disagree and note that lighthouse keepers have saved hundreds of lives and offered maritime aid thousands of times over the years. [continue]
Filed in Gabriola Island One Response so far
One Response to “Island lighthouse will lose its keeper”
James on 06 Sep 2009 at 2:05 pm #
Support staffed lightstations by joining the Facebook group, Halt Lighthouse De-Staffing 2009 – http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132746173655. Thanks.