Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is one of the most beloved
buildings within the City of Rockland, and in many ways, its iconic
image is symbolic of the seaside community’s connection to the sea.
Therefore, when the Friends of Rockland Breakwater
Lighthouse
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse,
October 29, 2007
encounter an
operational or preservation need at the historic site that requires a team
effort, the residents of Rockland can be counted on to help, including the
United States Coast Guard, which has a strong presence in the community with
four units stationed in Rockland Harbor.
On October 29, 2007 it was the Coast Guard who once again lent a helping
hand to the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (FORB), a chapter
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
The Coast Guard cutter TACKLE at
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
of the American Lighthouse Foundation, when a need arose
that could be best met by community partners coming together for the
good of the cherished sentinel.
With the summer visitation season having come to a close
earlier this fall, it was time for the FORB to perform their annual
winterizing
activities at the lighthouse, which included the removal of the group’s
operational and maintenance supplies that require protection from cold
temperatures.
Given that Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is located at the end of a 7/8
mile-long stone breakwater, a fact that makes even the simplest
transport of supplies by foot a cumbersome task, the
USCGC TACKLE under the command of Chief John Anders, stepped forward in
team fashion to help the FORB volunteers with their efforts.
The 65-foot TACKLE took advantage of picture-perfect
October weather and sea conditions, enabling the cutter to temporarily
moor-up to
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Coastguardsmen load cabinets and supplies
from the lighthouse onto the TACKLE
the floating pier
at Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. From there, the FORB volunteers and
Coastguardsmen worked together to carry out supplies and other items like
wood cabinets from inside the lighthouse, which were then loaded onto the
TACKLE and transported ashore for the winter.
The crew of the TACKLE, whose primary mission is working the unit’s assigned
aids to navigation in and around Penobscot Bay from mid-April to
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Sally Cran, FORB board member, thanks
Chief John Anders (center) and BM1
Randy Bucklin for the TACKLE's assistance
the end of November each year (the ship has the duty of
domestic ice breaking in the winter), has great respect for the Coast
Guard’s longstanding heritage as keepers of the light, and therefore was
proud to be able to assist the modern day caretakers of Rockland
Breakwater Lighthouse.
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
wish to thank the crew (Chief
John Anders, BM1 Randy Bucklin, MK1 Samuel Hoy, MK2 Aaron Strickland, FN
Scott Gildenston, SN Chad Gable and Auxiliarist Bob Trapani, Jr.) of the
USCGC TACKLE for their very helpful assistance, which was sincerely
appreciated.
