Lighthouse keeper volunteer programs6/19/2023 ![]() ![]() The files are in PDF format and open in a new window. For questions or more details, please email or call 90. We encourage you to review the materials and information in the links below. Unlike the manned period, water is sterilized with a filtration and ultraviolet purification system and sewage is treated with a sophisticated marine sanitation system. The bath has a modern toilet, bathtub and shower. The office includes a fully restored 1930s roll top desk, a marine radio, and a glass front bookcase. A fully functional 1931 GE Hotpoint electric range with oven and warming drawer, an electric refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster and microwave oven are provided in the galley. The keeper’s room has a double bed, and two sets of bunk beds are provided in the assistant keepers’ room. The living quarters are furnished similar to the period of Coast Guard staffing, which was terminated in 1974 when DeTour Reef Light was automated. Today, only a few offshore lighthouses in the world provide this opportunity. not land or island-based) to offer a volunteer lighthouse keeper program. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular! DeTour Reef Light is the first offshore light (i.e. Approximately 20 ships plus many more pleasure craft pass close by the lighthouse every day. Mary’s River, and to contribute to preservation of one of Michigan’s magnificent maritime monuments. The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society’s Keepers Program is a wonderful, unique opportunity to experience life as a lighthouse keeper on a 1931 offshore historic lighthouse, enjoy the magnificent views of beautiful scenery and freighters coming to and from Lake Huron at the mouth of the St. Keepers must be in good physical condition, capable of making multiple trips up and down the vertical 20-foot pier ladders and to the top of the lighthouse. Keepers will reside at the lighthouse Friday through Sunday, perform cleaning and light maintenance tasks, greet visitors and assist with tours of the lighthouse, keep a log and prepare their own meals. We are planning tours on only one day of each keeper weekend. The program provides significant free time away from lighthouse work and tour duties. They scampered up and down the tower steps and the 20 foot vertical access ladders and they took lots of photographs and saw lots of freighters. ![]() They made tour visitors feel welcome and comfortable on the light. We had dedicated hard working lighthouse lovers who did everything we asked and more. The Society’s experience with these keepers exceeded our hopes. From the first keeper program in 2005 with 13 volunteer keepers, the program was increased to 38 keepers in 2006 and further expanded to 59 keepers in 2007. The DeTour Reef Light Keeper program is increasingly popular with lighthouse lovers and boat watchers. Please bring your drinking water, charcoal for the grill and a flashlight. However, there will no hot water available for showers or potable water. There will be a generator that can be run occasionally to provide use of the microwave and refrigerator. The experience will look a little more rustic, however. As we work to restore power to the Light, we will be scheduling Keeper weekends as we have done in the past. It was determined that the underwater power cable is not repairable. ![]() Rustic Lighthouse Experience for 2023 Friday thru Sunday – Mid June through Labor DayĭRLPS spent the summer of 2022 looking into options to restore power to the Light. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |