'We're in a lot of trouble': The East Brother Light Station in the San Francisco Bay has no power

[Demovictory9]

The historic East Brother Light Station Bed & Breakfast on the three-quarter-acre island in the San Francisco Bay has been without power for nine days, and lightkeeper Desiree Heveroh is currently living like a pioneer on the rock, as the iconic landmark's future darkens.

"It gets real cold on this rock," Heveroh tells SFGATE from the island Friday morning. "If it was at all possible, I'm living even further back in time here now, I get the fireplace packed every morning with eucalyptus bark and branches from around the island that I collect."


On April 1, the submarine cable that brings power to the light station from the Richmond coast failed, leaving the buildings in darkness.


The cable is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard, and though they fixed it after a lightning strike took it out in 1991, this time they have chosen not to, and instead are only providing minimal power for the flashing light in the tower.

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/san-francisco-bay-east-brother-lighthouse-no-power-16089720.php
This has left the bed-and-breakfast, which has been welcoming visitors via boat for more than 40 years, with an uncertain future.

"We showed [the U.S. Coast Guard] around," Heveroh says, "and they basically said, 'It would be cheaper for us just to put the light in the tower on a solar panel.' So they're not going to replace the cable, which leaves us with no power at all. And their responsibility is done."

[hlthe2b]

1. Seems like perfect locale for wind generation & along with some solar might become self-sufficient?

[rickyhall]

2. Military budget of $3/4Trillion can't afford an extension cord.

[jmowreader]

5. Slightly more complex than that...

...but yeah, a wind turbine, some solar panels and a 30kW Caterpillar generator with a 500-gallon tank of diesel for those days the Bay is really socked in should do it.

[Treefrog]

3. That's a damn shame.

Sounds like a place I'd love to visit.

[Sympthsical]

4. I'm still stunned Cliff House closed

Went over to Ocean Beach a few weeks back just to walk and get out of the house. We'd planned on some chowder and popovers after. Newp. All gone.

Like, what?

I'm seriously bummed. I was planning on taking visiting relatives who've never been to SF there next month for lunch overlooking the Pacific.

I imagine the lighthouse will be saved by private donors. I've passed it before while scooting around on a sailboat. The temperature is no joke, though. Even in the middle of our summer, it can be freezing out on the Bay's waters. Stupid California Current. I blame Point Reyes.

[Retrograde]

6. Northern California, where people bundle up to go to the beach

I tried swimming in the Pacific near Mendocino. Once. That was enough. I do appreciate our natural air condiitioning in the summer, though.