LighthouseKeepers.com

Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04

Posted By: Shirin

Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/05/04 03:32 AM

Well, I finally was able to get in a weekend to go down to Delaware to participate in one of the work days on the Harbor of Refuge light. And when those guys say work day, they mean it!

It was a cold, damp day with a constant threat of rain. Our boat left the launch service at Slaughter Beach around 8AM. The mission of the day was to replace the lower and upper platform decks that were wiped out thanks to Hurricane Isabel and ice from the winter.

This is what things looked like as we arrived:



Our 4 person work crew started off with removing a good lot of wood off of the boat and onto the platform staging area. Let me say, 12 foot sections of pressure treated, and water logged wood are not easy to lift! What a great workout that was!

After things were organized and the first pot of coffee of the day was finished off, we got right to work and spent most of the day replacing the 2 lost platforms so that by the time we left, this is what had appeared...



There might have only been 4 of us out there at the light but we managed to get quite a bit done. Our sore backs and completely worn out looks by the time the boat returned to pick us up late in the afternoon were proof we had been out at the light to work!

While it threatened to rain all day, there were a couple of brief periods when the sun snuck through the clouds. So I took a little walk along the breakwater to take a few photos. Of course by the time I get out along the breakwater, the sun was already hiding behind the clouds again.




A wave caught up with me on this one.






Tired and sore but still happy to be there!

More photos to follow soon!
Posted By: Dave H

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/05/04 04:54 AM

Wow, Shirin, the 4 of you sure accomplished a bunch of work in one day! Congratulations (and thanks) to all of you for putting in the hard day of work to improve the light. And, thanks for sharing the pictures.
Posted By: Lorie Roe

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/05/04 04:57 AM

That was an impressive work day Shirin. smile laugh smile It goes to show what a few people can accomplish in one day. I hope you're not too sore from all the hard work. Very nice pictures too!
Posted By: Webmaster

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/05/04 05:15 AM

And I'll add my 'atta girl' to the growing list, too Shirin. Nice photos, Great wook. Nice one of you too!
Posted By: Bob M

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/05/04 12:15 PM

Thanks for sharing, Shirin! Great pic of you with the light in the background.

smile Bob smile
Posted By: Shirin

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/05/04 12:44 PM

Thanks guys! I hope to have more photos ready to post tonight when I go home. Taking a tour of this light last year pales in comparison to getting back out there and actually working on the light for a day. It was a wonderful experience to be there and able to put a small dent in the large amount of work that still needs to be done on this light. It is incredible to see how much work has been done already and how much more needs to be done. It is great to know that a very dedicated group has taken over this light. Should anyone be interested, work parties go out each month.
Posted By: mombo

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 12:05 AM

Double WOW Shirin! That is very impressive! How great that you were able to be there to help make the lighthouse more accessible again! smile
Posted By: Shirin

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 12:41 AM

I have uploaded more photos to my photo album and thought I'd let those intersted view them in the album instead of taking up space here. Also trying to spare the download time of those like me who do not have highspeed internet at home.

Harbor of Refuge
Posted By: wheland

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 02:06 AM

Shirin,

Great photo album. I don't know where you find the time to have an actual job!

Question- I see that you took a picture of one of the windows. Have they installed the little plaques with the names of the people who donated for each of the windows yet?

Dennis
Posted By: MtnHkr

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 02:29 AM

Great photos all around Shirin. You do get around and get things done. That's great. Then of course is the beauty of sharing your great pictures with us. Thanks!!

Bert smile
Posted By: Shirin

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 12:38 PM

Dennis - I don't recall seeing your window. At the time I was looking for the Chesapeake Chapter and the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends windows. Had I seen yours I would have taken a photo for you. I'll make sure to double check for you the next time I'm out there.
Posted By: wheland

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 12:41 PM

Shirin,

Thanks. I was just curious. I'm hoping to get to one of the many tours offered this year.

Dennis
Posted By: Shirin

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 12:48 PM

I hope you get out there too Dennis! Then you can see the new decks first hand! And your plaque for your donation. Hope you have better weather than I do each time I get out there.
Posted By: Shirin

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 06:55 PM

Here is the official report from Bob Trapani on the DRBLHF website

Small Crew Accomplishes Big Things
Posted By: seagirt

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/06/04 10:11 PM

I would love to get to do one of these work days, but I think that, because of liability issues, they would not let a person of my age. frown I don't even think I can do a tour. But it looks like you still had fun! It's amazing to see what has been done in (basically) the last year. A big difference from the older photos! laugh
Posted By: RFoster

Re: Harbor of Refuge Work Day 04/02/04 - 04/11/04 04:30 PM

A Great job on the lighthouse workday. Congratulations to all who participated in the Hands On Preservation Efforts (HOPE). Thanks for the great photos Shirin.

Ron
(CT Keeper)
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