Lighthouse Keeper
Keep a light burning on a rock at the edge of the map. The lamp has turned itself since 1983. Ships still like to know someone is up there.
1716 – 1990About the role
For nearly three centuries, every lighthouse needed a keeper: someone to trim the wick, wind the clockwork and write down the weather, every night, without exception. Then the lights were automated, and the keepers came ashore.
At Cape Rocha, you'll climb the 112 steps at sunset, check a lamp that does not need checking and keep the logbook in a neat, steady hand. The light will turn whether or not you are there. You will be there.
What you'll do
- Climb to the lamp room at sunset and confirm, in writing, that the lamp has come on.
- Polish the brass until you can see your own face, then polish it again on Thursday.
- Record wind, visibility and sea state every four hours in the official log.
- Wave at passing ships. Some of them wave back.
- Hand over to the relief keeper at the end of your watch with a short, meaningful nod.
What we're looking for
- A head for heights, and for 112 spiral steps.
- Comfort with long silences and the occasional gull.
- Neat handwriting. The log is permanent.
- No fear of the dark, or a willingness to keep the lamp on.
Perks
- A leather logbookTwo hundred years of weather, in nine different hands. Yours is next.
- A kettle on the stoveStrong tea at 02:00, when the sea is at its loudest.
- A brass telescopeFor ships, storms and checking whether the relief boat is late.
