American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

 Dedicated to Saving America's Lighthouses and Their History

 

SEARCH ALF WEB

Help ALF

Today!

American Lighthouse Foundation

 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 565

Rockland, Maine 04841

Phone: 207-594-4174

Fax: 207-596-1091

info@lighthousefoundation.org

 

The American Lighthouse Foundation is a  Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to the

preservation of America's historic lighthouses & lightships and

their heritage.

 

 

 
       
 

FOWIL Volunteers Work to

Repair the Boat Ramp

Landing at the Island

 

By Bob Trapani, Jr.

 

 
 

Offshore lighthouse preservation projects are saddled with a plethora of logistical and physical challenges not found with similar projects that are land-locked. From coping with the unpredictability of Mother Nature to the inherent difficulties associated with safely arranging for volunteers and equipment to be transported to an isolated lighthouse site, groups

Wood Island Lighthouse

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.    

Wood Island Lighthouse

Maine

 
 

that manage offshore preservation projects have their work cut out for them.

 

In the case of the lighthouse on Wood Island, off Biddeford Pool, Maine, the volunteers of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse (FOWIL), a

 
 

Boat ramp

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.    

A view of the boat ramp that

enables access to the island

chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, the station’s wooden boat  ramp is critical to their entire operation to save and interpret Wood Island Light. Without maintaining a soundly constructed ramp, the FOWIL would not be able to safely disembark at the island. For Wood Island Lighthouse, the gateway to its preservation is therefore found in maintaining the station’s

 
 

 boat ramp – for without it, the light’s keepers could not effectively care for the historic site.

 

As we all know, Mother Nature is never kind to wooden structures that are situated within the destructive reach of storm seas, and Wood Island’s boat ramp is no exception. Over time the ramp has suffered its share of damage and deterioration inflicted by the salt air and impact of heavy seas upon the ramp’s wood construction. On Saturday, June 18, 2005 volunteers

 
 

of the FOWIL set out on a workday with a resolute attitude to make critical repairs to the boat ramp, knowing full well that the task ahead of them was going to be anything but easy. The following is a report from the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse on the outcome of their workday at the site:

 

 “Fifteen hardy people showed up for the work day and much was accomplished. The

Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse Volunteers

Photo by Cliff Trebilcock      

Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse

 volunteers on June 18, 2005

 
 

difficulty of working on the very end of the ramp became apparent quickly. We had to get ready and wait until the tide receded below the rotten ramp boards, then work like crazy until the returning tide put a halt to the efforts. In the short time available, at least a third to a half of the project was completed. Getting the 12" spikes out was no easy task. Removing the heavy waterlogged ramp boards was REALLY TOUGH. The workers were very tired by the end of the day.  We thank you all for your help, hard labor and support. The restoration of the Lighthouse certainly could not be done if the boat ramp failed.”

 

 
 

Friends of Wood Island Light volunteers

Photo by Cliff Trebilcock      

Volunteers work at water's edge

during low tide to repair the ramp

Thanks to the dedicated volunteers of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, not only has a good portion of the boat ramp been repaired, but also in doing so, the organization is able to continue its restoration work at the historic site and offer safe public access as part of their commitment to lighthouse education.

 

 
     
       
 

Home / About ALF / ALF Lights / Museum / Support ALF

Membership / ALF Gift Shop / Education / Newsroom

Getting Involved / "Light" Thoughts / Advocacy / Search

 

 

 

©2007 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 565 - Rockland, ME 04841

All Rights Reserved. Copy and/or distribution of any kind is strictly prohibited.

 

For web site inquiries, questions or comments...Contact Webmaster