What do lighthouse keepers do all day?

Clean, paint, and repair all buildings on the light station when needed. Maintain all mechanical equipment at the light station. Maintain lighthouse log book and record all daily light station activities. Take weather readings every day and record in log book.

What were the duties of a lighthouse keeper?

Duties and functions Historically, lighthouse keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning lenses and windows. They were also responsible for the fog signal and the weather station, and played a major role in search and rescue at sea.

What are the requirements to be a lighthouse keeper?

How to become a lighthouse keeper

• Develop a passion. Interest in lighthouses, maritime history or water and navigation can be helpful for lighthouse keepers and enthusiasts.
• Explore coastal and lake areas.
• Check industry groups or professional organizations.
• Consider volunteer work.
• Overnight or vacation at a lighthouse.

Do lighthouses still have keepers?

Today, all lighthouses in the United States are automated, with the exception of the Boston Light, in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. A law was passed in 1989 requiring that the Boston Light remain manned, so a keeper remains there today.

How often would a lighthouse keeper clean the light?

every four years
In general, keepers moved lighthouses every four years. They worked two shifts a day, on watch for four hours at a time starting at 6.00-10.00am, 10.00am-2.00pm and so on. The watch was repeated every 12 hours. The shifts changed every Sunday.

What does a lighthouse keeper eat?

Eggers pointed out that actual lighthouse keepers—or “wickies,” in the parlance of the time—would have likely been eating more varied meals. “The Lighthouse Keepers’ Manual gives them 200 pounds of pork, 100 pounds of beef, and also some rice and beans or peas,” he said.

How much do you get paid to be a lighthouse keeper?

Salary Ranges for Lighthouse Keepers The salaries of Lighthouse Keepers in the US range from $26,400 to $60,350 , with a median salary of $48,520 . The middle 60% of Lighthouse Keepers makes $48,520, with the top 80% making $60,350.

How much do lighthouse keepers make UK?

The job pays £26,893 a year, plus a benefits package and Civil Service pension, an amount of annual leave described as ‘generous’ and a childcare voucher scheme.

Are lighthouses automated now?

But as marine navigation tools and satellite automation have become more sophisticated, the need for lighthouses and their human operators has been virtually snuffed out. In fact, with the exception of seasonal volunteers and educational guides, there are hardly any lighthouse keepers left on the planet.

What kind of life did a lighthouse keeper live?

Although keepers were on call 24 hours a day, they were actually only paid for eight working hours per day: four during the daylight hours and another four at night, which meant ‘a man has plenty of time for himself’. With perfect penmanship and diligence William recorded daily island and family events.

How long is a lighthouse shift?

Shift work The principal keeper of a lighthouse sometimes arrived during the final stages of construction to help assemble the lighting equipment. Once the light was working, the strict, inexorable light-watching shifts, four hours long, began. Typically keepers sat alone in a cold room.

What are the duties of a lighthouse keeper?

The most obvious part of the keeper’s duties was to keep the light operating according to the daily schedule, which would vary from station to station, depending on geographic location, typical weather conditions, and other factors. During severe storms, the light had to be kept in operation 24 hours a day until the storm was over.

How long does a lighthouse have to be in operation?

During severe storms, the light had to be kept in operation 24 hours a day until the storm was over. Starting in the 19th century, the Lighthouse Service periodically provided guidance and requirements for its employees, such as the 1927 Instructions to Employees of the United States Lighthouse Service.

Are there still lighthouse keepers in the United States?

Today, all lighthouses in the United States are automated, with the exception of the Boston Light, in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. A law was passed in 1989 requiring that the Boston Light remain manned, so a keeper remains there today. Loading results…

How often are reliefs carried out at offshore lighthouses?

At most offshore lighthouses reliefs were carried out every two weeks, weather permitting. Each keeper in turn was relieved (replaced) by another keeper, so each individual keeper was on duty for six weeks, followed by two weeks off.