Lighthouses are iconic markers of coastlines everywhere, and Maine’s 57 active lighthouses are a popular draw for tourists and locals alike. The structures, once manned by keepers who lived onsite with their families, are imbued with local history and add a great deal of character to their communities.
With today’s technology, such as GPS navigation systems and radar, the beacons are less important than they used to be, but they are still used by mariners who expect to see the light to confirm their position and hear the accompanying foghorns when needed.
The Coast Guard has automated all active lighthouses of the 254 it owns, so they no longer need to be manned, which means the Guard can offload them to private owners or nonprofit preservation groups rather than bearing the cost of their upkeep. The new owners typically grant the Coast Guard access to maintain the light, according to recent press reports.
The federal government was enabled to sell off lighthouses by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, and over the last 14 years, more than 100 have been transferred to private hands. Sixty-eight of those have been given to nonprofits, with another 36 sold at auction, according to the Associated Press. Without factoring in the costs saved from passing along maintenance costs, the sales alone have brought in more than $3.35 million for the Coast Guard, the AP reported.
Most recently, a Portland man purchased the tallest lighthouse in New England, Boon Island Light Station near York, for $78,000. The 1855 tower is located six miles off the coast on a small island ”“ not exactly easily accessible for visitors, but important for guiding mariners into the harbor.
For the ones that are easier to reach, different types of owners often open it up for public use. Tourists will find it interesting to visit lighthouses that were previously inaccessible federal property, whether it’s just for a tour, or for a meal and/or lodging. Anyone who has visited nearby Wood Island Light or Goat Island Light can certainly attest that it’s an unforgettable experience, and these sales will help to increase those opportunities.
Transferring these light stations to private hands is certainly a money-saver for the government, and therefore the taxpayer, but concerns may arise if the owners do not properly maintain the structures that are still in use. After all, lighthouses aren’t just pretty decorations along the coastline ”“ they’re navigational aids that can mean life and death for boaters, and ownership needs to come with the caveat of keeping them in suitable condition for operation, whatever the new use of the building may be.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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