Combined effort of Camden harbormaster, Coast Guard Auxiliary, CG Cutter Tackle...

Coast Guard gets the light shining again at Curtis Island Light

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 8:45pm
U.S. Coast Guard petty officers MK3 Joseph Pineda and BMC Sean Dolan work on replacing the lampchanger in the light at Curtis Island on July 18. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
On the way to Curtis Island on July 18, Coast Guard petty officer MK3 Joseph Pineda, Camden Harbormaster Steve Pixley and BMC Sean Dolan. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
BMC Sean Dolan and MK3 Joseph Pineda, of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Tackle, walk across Curtis Island to Curtis Island Lighthouse. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
MK3 Joseph Pineda and BMC Sean Dolan clean the 300-mm beacon at Curtis Island to ensure the light's optimum intensity is shining seaward. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
Following their work to repair the lampchanger, the crew of USCGC Tackle leave the light watching properly at Curtis Island. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
The schooner Olad, homeport Camden, passes by Curtis Island lighthouse on a foggy morning. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
The staircase to the beacon inside Curtis Island Lighthouse. (Photo by Bob Trapani)
MK3 Joseph Pineda, BMC Sean Dolan and Auxiliarist Bob Trapani Jr. at Curtis Island Lighthouse.

Story Location:
Curtis Island
Camden, ME 04843
United States

    CAMDEN — There is no greater time of need for a shining light marking an island in Penobscot Bay than on a foggy day, and July 17 was just such a day.

    And on that Sunday, the light at Curtis Island Light, at the entrance to Camden Harbor, was reported not working. Word of the extinguished light came to Camden Harbormaster Steve Pixley, who contacted the Coast Guard to fix the problem.

    “You would think that with all the new navigation toys that all the boats have, that no one would use the light anymore. But that’s not the case,” said Pixley.

    Based in Rockland, Coast Guard Cutter Tackle is responsible for the maintenance of Aids to Navigation and Domestic Ice Breaking in the Penobscot Bay region. Boatswain’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Eric S. Silvoy is the officer in charge of CGC Tackle, which is undergoing a scheduled yard maintenance period at Rockland Marine for routine preservation and maintenance.

    Silvoy said that his crew was notified about the issue with the light in the Curtis Island lighthouse, and on July 18 partnered with Pixley and the Coast Guard Auxiliary to assist.

    “Camden Harbormaster Steve Pixley was essential in the transportation to Curtis Island, due to CGC Tackle’s maintenance period,” said Silvoy in an email. “CGC Tackle appreciates the unity of effort in correcting the discrepancy of Curtis Island Light.”

    Silvoy said that the Coast Guard is currently pursuing a light emitting diode,  or LED, upgrade to Curtis Island Light. The improvement will increase the light’s optical range and efficiency, and will amplify the light’s reliability into the future.

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