The Chatham Select Board voted unanimously on August 25 to request a collaborative operational review of Chatham Light’s nearshore and offshore visibility, beginning with the safety needs of mariners navigating Chatham’s surrounding waters.

The motion also calls for a Town letter requesting a review of the change in the light’s characteristics, a collaborative review of offshore and nearshore visibility, evaluation of corrective options, and preservation of the removed DCB-224 beacon pending completion of that review. During discussion, the Board agreed that the appropriate state and federal legislative representatives should also be included.

The discussion established a constructive path for engaging the U.S. Coast Guard. Harbormaster Jason Holm said he has his own navigational-safety concerns about the change. Board members supported an approach led on behalf of the Town by the Harbormaster and Waterways Advisory Committee, informed by local mariners, relevant lighthouse expertise, and a local community coalition of engaged citizens, local fishermen, and merchants.

John Brigden and Seth Perretta represented that coalition in the presentation to the Board. Other coalition representatives in attendance included John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance; lighthouse expert Jared Fulcher, Coast Guard liaison for the Nauset Light Preservation Society—which stewards Chatham’s sister lighthouse—and a director of the American Lighthouse Foundation; and many local mariners and residents.

Nearshore navigation was the first concern discussed. Speakers described the importance of the light in the approaches to Stage Harbor and Chatham Harbor and around the Monomoy shoals and Chatham Bars, particularly for smaller vessels and in mist or reduced visibility. The discussion then addressed the substantial reduction in intensity and the resulting loss of the “loom” created by the former light, which aided mariners as they navigated the changing and treacherous waters surrounding Chatham Light. The loss of Chatham Light’s familiar sweep and historic character was also recognized, but as an additional consideration alongside the central navigational-safety concern.

The Board’s unanimous action is an important step toward a collaborative, evidence-based discussion with the Coast Guard about whether the current beacon adequately serves Chatham’s nearshore and offshore safety needs and what corrective options may be available.

Watch the full lighthouse discussion beginning at 2:28:30.

Watch the Chair discuss the collaborative approach beginning at 2:48:00.

Watch the motion, clarification and unanimous vote beginning at 2:52:20.