Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Frying Pan Shoals Light

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Location
  
Foundation
  
Steel

ARLHS number
  
USA-313

Opened
  
1966

Year first constructed
  
1966

Deactivated
  
2003

Fog signal
  
Fog horn

Height
  
24 m

Automated
  
1979

Frying Pan Shoals Light FRYING PAN SHOALS LIGHT TOWER

Similar
  
Diamond Shoal Light, United States lightship, Cape Fear Light, Cape Fear, Price Creek Light

Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower is a decommissioned lighthouse located approximately 29 miles (47 km) southeast of Southport, North Carolina. The light tower is modeled after a steel oil drilling platform, known as a “Texas tower” on top of four steel legs that was engineered to be used as a lighthouse housing several Coast Guard members. The 80-foot (24 m) light tower marks the shoals at the confluence of the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The platform consists of two floors. The subfloor is a living area of approximately 5,000 square feet (460 m2) that includes seven bedrooms, kitchen, office, storage area, recreation area and toilet facilities.

Frying Pan Shoals Light Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower USCG LSA

Current conditions

Frying Pan Shoals Light httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

The light tower is accessible by helicopter and by boat. A January 2010 onsite inspection by an engineering firm that was contracted by the Coast Guard determined that the helipad platform can indeed support a helicopter and that the entire structure, while in need of repair was 'structurally sound'. The lower stairs to the light tower were destroyed by a hurricane and the mid to upper section stairs has experienced significant deterioration due to the salt environment.

Frying Pan Shoals Light Frying Pan Shoals Lighthouse North Carolina at Lighthousefriendscom

The tower was replaced by a buoy in 2003 and no longer serves as an aid to navigation but due to the structure attracting a wide range of aquatic life, it is an oft visited site for fishermen and divers. The Coast Guard considered demolishing the light for use as an artificial reef, but instead held an online auction where the winning bid was by a South Carolina diving and research firm Shipwrecks, Inc. in 2009 for $515,000. However, the company failed to make the down-payment and subsequently, the tower returned to government hands and was sold again in August 2010 for $85,000 to a private individual, Richard Neal of Charlotte, North Carolina. Neal, with the aid of volunteers, has refurbished the light, converting it into a "bed-and-breakfast for the adventurous", with accommodation for up to eight. The facility is now open for paying guests.

Frying Pan Shoals Light The Tower Just Too Cool Southport NC TownofSouthportNCcom

Frying Pan Shoals Light Frying Pan Shoals Lighthouse North Carolina at Lighthousefriendscom

Frying Pan Shoals Light Frying Pan Shoals Light Station former coast guard station turned

References

Frying Pan Shoals Light Wikipedia


Similar Topics