Lightships
Lightships preserved in the United States, many of which are open to the public for boarding and programs. A number of lightships are accompanied by locally managed maritime museums. If you operate a lightship that's open to the public, send your news about activities to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Enter your city and state to find the closest historic lightship.
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Lightship Ambrose (WLV-613)
A lightship designated Ambrose has served as the main beacon marking Ambrose Channel, the main shipping channel for New York Harbor from 1823 to 1967. Several ships served as the lightship, and the last, WLV 613, was commissioned in 1952. The lightship is owned by the South Street Seaport Museum.
Lightship Barnegat (LV 79/WAL 506)
Commissioned in 1904, the Lightship Barnegat (LV 79/WAL 506)'s station was off the Barnegat Lighthouse. The ship was decommissioned in 1967, and it has passed through the hands of several owners. It is now awaiting restoration.
Lightship Chesapeake (LV-116)
US Lightship 116 Chesapeake marked the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay for over 29 years. Lightship 116 was initially assigned to Fenwick Island, Delaware in 1930. In 1933, Lightship 116 was transferred to the approaches of the Chesapeake Bay where her bright red hull, masthead lamp, and loud foghorn guided mariners to safe harbor for 29 years. From 1965-1970, Lightship 116 finished her career marking the Delaware Bay approaches.
Lightship Columbia (WLV-604)
Built in 1950 in Boothbay, Maine, Lightship Columbia (WLV-604) served as the lightship marking the entrance to the Columbia River and its treacherous bar. Decommissioned in 1979, the lightship now welcomes visitors at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Lightship Frying Pan Shoals (LV-115)
Built in 1929, Lightship Frying Pan Shoals (LV-115) guarded Frying Pan Shoals, 30 miles off of Cape Fear, North Carolina, from 1930 to 1965. She is 133 feet and 3 inches in length with a 30 foot beam and she is 632 gross tons.
Lightship Huron (LV 103)
Built in 1920, Lightship Huron (LV 103) is now a museum ship in Port Huron, Mich.
Lightship Liberty (LV 107)
Built in 1923 at the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, Lightship Liberty (LV 107) first served at Cape Lookout Shoals, North Carolina, from 1924 to 1933. Its next station was Winter Quarter Shoals on Chesapeake Bay, where it marked the entrance until 1960.
Lightship Nantucket (LV-112)
The U.S. Lightship Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue and preservation of Nantucket Lightship/LV-112, a National Historic Landmark. LV-112 is a museum and floating learning center, open to the general public - a place for people of all ages to learn about our nation's seafaring history and the technologies that advanced the nautical and marine sciences.
Lightship Nantucket (WLV-612)
Built in Curtis Bay, Maryland, Lightship Nantucket (WLV-612) was the last lightship built by the Coast Guard. It is now a private vessel available for charter.
Lightship Nantucket II (WLV-613)
The Lightship Nantucket II (WLV-613) was built in 1952 and originally stationed at Ambrose Channel in New York until 1967. In 1979, it was stationed off Nantucket Island. It alternated duty with WLV-612, also known as Lightship Nantucket I.
Lightship Overfalls (LV 118)
The Lightship Overfalls (LV 118) was the last lightship built by the US government. Commissioned in 1938, LV 118 served off Connecticut and Massachusetts between 1938 and 1972.
Lightship Portsmouth (LV-101)
Built in 1915, the Plymouth Lightship, also known as the Cape Charles Lightship, served at several stations until she was retired in 1964. The ship is now a land-based museum.
Lightship Relief (WLV-605)
Lightship Relief (WLV-605), one of six lightships constructed for the Coast Guard, was built by Rice Brothers Shipyard in Boothbay, Maine, in 1950.
Lightship Swiftsure (LV-83)
Launched in 1904, the lightship Swiftsure (LV-83) is a floating exhibit in Seattle.
Lightship Umatilla (LV 196)
The Lightship Umatilla (LV 196) was the fourth vessel to mark Umatilla Reef off Washington State's coast. Retired in 1971, the Coast Guard decommissioned her, and it is now owned by a Ketchikan businessman.
