scubaman
Well-Known Member
On our way back from the summer cruise, we had such benign conditions that a visit to the famous Bengtskär lighthouse seemed possible. There was some residual swell as we cruised the offshore route East towards the lighthouse, but practically no wind at all.
The lighthouse sits on a little skerry some way out to the open sea and has served a vital role in aiding mariners since 1906. Granite from the skerry was used as the building material and the light was lit only 9 months after the building works started. It played an important role in the both world wars, but during the prohibition in the 20’s and 30’s a less strict approach was taken by the lighthouse keepers. Customs officials tried to mobilise them in the hunt for smugglers by promising a share of the value of the contraband, but none were turned in as many had relatives running the boats.
The lighthouse families formed a community of 31 persons at the height of the active period. During the 60’s the light was automatised and after various phases of ups and downs it has been opened as a hotel serving visitor arriving by ferries from Hanko.
The waters in that area are very treacherous, as you can see from the chart screenshot below. Bengtskär can been seen on the lower right corner.
The lighthouse is an impressive sight as one approaches and sees it grow from a tiny spec into a massive granite tower.
Slight swell rocked the boat gently as we left her on anchor and took the dingy to the shore. A climb up to the tower is a must, of course. I shot a short vid of our visit which I thought I’d share.
The lighthouse sits on a little skerry some way out to the open sea and has served a vital role in aiding mariners since 1906. Granite from the skerry was used as the building material and the light was lit only 9 months after the building works started. It played an important role in the both world wars, but during the prohibition in the 20’s and 30’s a less strict approach was taken by the lighthouse keepers. Customs officials tried to mobilise them in the hunt for smugglers by promising a share of the value of the contraband, but none were turned in as many had relatives running the boats.
The lighthouse families formed a community of 31 persons at the height of the active period. During the 60’s the light was automatised and after various phases of ups and downs it has been opened as a hotel serving visitor arriving by ferries from Hanko.
The waters in that area are very treacherous, as you can see from the chart screenshot below. Bengtskär can been seen on the lower right corner.
The lighthouse is an impressive sight as one approaches and sees it grow from a tiny spec into a massive granite tower.
Slight swell rocked the boat gently as we left her on anchor and took the dingy to the shore. A climb up to the tower is a must, of course. I shot a short vid of our visit which I thought I’d share.
