Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Got A New Beacon
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Got A New Beacon
Over the memorial Day weekend many people asked what was wrong with Hereford Inlet Lighthouse’s light. We finally have an answer for you!
The beacon, which was installed in the 1980s, was a fixed light that rotated every ten seconds. This motor that moved the light broke on May 11th. In a quick fix the U.S. Coast Guard replaced the rotating beacon with a flashing LED lamp.
According to a press released from the city, “the USCG intends to replace the current optic, which is beyond economical & reliable mechanical repair, with a VRB-25 rotating optic showing the same characteristics but at a 18 nautical mile nominal range vice a 24 nautical mile nominal range.”
In A Mariner’s Bulletin from USCG:
“Due to a mechanical failure of the buoy lantern, the Hereford Inlet Light (LLNR 90) is now operating on an emergency LED optic at reduced intensity. In an effort to the correct Hereford Inlet Light & maintain its rotating characteristic, the USCG intends to replace the current optic, which is beyond economical & reliable mechanical repair, with a VRB-25 rotating optic showing the same characteristics but at a 18 nautical mile nominal range vice a 24 nautical mile nominal range.”
We took a tour of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse gardens. Use the link below to see the video!
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Garden Tour 2018
Originally the beacon didn’t rotate but over time as more and more tall building were built in North Wildwood the ship’s Captains couldn’t distinguish the difference between the lighthouse and the other buildings.