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Whaleback Lighthouse has become the first lighthouse in Maine to be outfitted with a new fog signal system that responds on cue when prompted by a mariner at sea. Additionally, the lighthouse now also has a new VLB-44 LED beacon that replaced the modern VRB-25 rotating light.
While the new beacon may look ugly compared to what was previously in the lighthouse, many preservationists feel that at least the tower is still being used for its intended purpose. However, it is doubtful that most lighthouse groups that raise money from people climbing the tower would want their lens replaced by this new LED light. But, in the end, they may have no choice. However, we would guess that there will be resistance by many lighthouse groups.
The upgrade to the fog signal system and the beacon at Whaleback Lighthouse was prompted by the failure of the submarine cable, which supplied power to the lighthouse. Both the fog signal and beacon are now totally solar powered with batteries.
The appearance of the new fog signal system is unlikely to cause a stir among preservationists; however it will operate entirely different than the current modern fog horn. In the case of the mariners at sea, all they need to do, in a time of fog, is turn on their VHF radio to channel 79 and press the microphone five times to activate the fog horn. This is one more reason that even small boaters should always have a working VHF radio with them, even if it is a hand held device.
This story appeared in the
Jan/Feb 2010 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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