Lights Are On, But Will Anyone Be Home?
By 250 News
Friday, November 19, 2010 03:55 AM
Prince Rupert, B.C. - The issue of lighthouse de-staffing promises to be front and centre as members of the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans stop in Prince Rupert today and tomorrow.
The fact-finding tour was launched after the Harper government postponed a controversial plan to automate lighthouses on the BC and Newfoundland coasts.
Former Lightkeepers Union President Jim Abram says cutting staff from lighthouses is insane given the increasing marine traffic and the possibility of more vessels visiting North Coast ports.
North Coast Sailing Association Commodore Dave Anderson agrees, saying automated systems are both unreliable and lacking in crucial information for those on the ocean.
“If the automated ones aren’t working, we depend upon the lightkeepers to give us our updates. The automated station doesn’t give wave heights, doesn’t give visibility. It gives wind speed and direction usually, but can’t tell you where the swell’s coming, can’t tell you what the waves are doing, and can’t tell you what the visibility is.”
Anderson is one of the stakeholders with an appointment to meet the Senate committee members as they stop in Prince Rupert.
Those opposed to the automation of lighthouses at Langara Point, Green Island, Triple Island, and Bonilla Island on the North Coast plan to show their displeasure with a protest Saturday.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
Leave the lighthouses alone!
They play a role that no automated service can ever replace.
When you are out there in nasty weather,it is nice to know there is a real person not far away,and you can actually talk to them, if you need to.
Been there many times!
This is strictly a money issue,like everything else.
It always comes down to money with these politicial clowns.
An example...there was one light house on the mid-coast (forgot the name) that the government automated and returned to it's "natural" state a few years back.
They even removed all the old cement and the bill was huge!
With what it cost them to do that,they could have actually ran it for 20 years!
Now there is government stupidity for you!
Lighthouse keepers are not very well paid, so it isn't about wages.
We need to fight back against this!
Start sending some emails and sound off at your MP!