Pachena Point Lighthouse is located on Vancouver Island, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of Bamfield, British Columbia, in Pacific Rim National Park. The octagonal wooden tower is maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard who employ lighthouse keepers at the station. In Summer of 2024, it was announced that Pachena Point Light (along with nearby Carmanah Point Light) would be destaffed before the end of the year.[2] On October 26 of the same year, the lightkeepers departed the station, leaving it unstaffed.[3] This change was not well received and was met with heavy criticism.[4]

Pachena Point Light
Map
LocationPachena Point
Vancouver Island
British Columbia
Canada
Coordinates48°43′19.6″N 125°05′51.2″W / 48.722111°N 125.097556°W / 48.722111; -125.097556
Tower
Constructionwooden tower
Height66 feet (20 m)
Shapeoctagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, red lantern
OperatorCanadian Coast Guard[1]
Heritagerecognized federal heritage building of Canada, heritage lighthouse Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1908
Focal height154 feet (47 m)
LensFirst order Fresnel lens
Range14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi)
CharacteristicFl (2) W 7.5 seconds

Keepers

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  • John S. Richardson 1907 – 1908
  • William Robinson Pillar 1908 – 1913
  • Richard Clark 1913 – 1919
  • G. Allan Couldrey 1919 - 1923
  • Art Gorden 1923 – 1924
  • James W. Davis 1925 – 1930
  • Guy Clear 1930 – 1931
  • John Alfred Hunting 1924, 1931 - 1958
  • Gerald Wellard 1957 – 1959
  • William Milne 1969
  • F. Bergthorson 1969 – 1973
  • Robert W. Noble 1973 – 1976
  • Tom E. Carr 1977 – 1983
  • Edward J. Ashe 1983 – 1985
  • Ian Crocker 1985 – 1991, 1996 – 1998
  • Iain Colquohuon 1988 – 1991
  • Peter Redhead 1991 – 1992, 1998 – 2004
  • Calvin Martin 2005 – Present[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Canada: Southern British Columbia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  2. ^ Guard, Canadian Coast (2024-07-31). "Canadian Coast Guard to cease light keeper functions at Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations due to safety concerns". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  3. ^ Stoltz, Dean (2024-10-26). ""Tough day": Two island lighthouses close after seismic report". CHEK. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  4. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  5. ^ "Pachena Point Lighthouse". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
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