$22,000 in visitors’ donations fund repairs completed by Florida specialists.

After being off for more than three months, the Heceta Head Lighthouse light is back on.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department turned off the light Feb. 1 when inspectors discovered that the carriage wheel assembly was worn out.

Without repairs, inspectors warned that continued use could cause additional damage to the wheel assembly and the light.

Florida-based Lighthouse Lamp Inc., which specializes in lighthouse conservation, were in charge of repairs.

Dennis Lucas, park manager for Carl G. Washburne Park, said that because of the nature of the repairs, choosing Lighthouse Lamp Inc. was an easy decision.

“With lighthouse repair you have to have a certain background. They’re dealing with a historic structure, which narrows the field quite a bit,” said Lucas.

“Since this is an aid to navigation it was important to get this done quickly,” said Lucas. “It’s a pretty serious thing for a lighthouse when friction rollers fail. If it was kept running, it would have caused major damage.”

Repair specialists replaced the worn friction rollers and bearings in the carriage wheel assembly earlier in the week.

The $22,000 project was paid entirely by donations collected from visitors to the lighthouse, Lucas said.

Except for periodic maintenance, the light has rarely been turned off since it was first lighted in 1894.

The automated beacon can be seen as far as 21 miles offshore. Weighing an approximate two tons, the lantern rotates continuously.

Lucas said Lighthouse Lamp crews are still on-hand monitoring the light.

“They’re making sure there are no more problems,” said Lucas.

For the complete article see the 05-23-2009 issue.

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