Oak Island Lighthouse is one of the newest and most unique lights in the country. The light was constructed in 1958 of reinforced concrete. The 148 foot tall tower is sectioned into 3 different colors. The colors are an enamel-like slurry finish, which creates a hardy weather proof finish. It does not need repainting. The lantern room was lifted into place via an U.S. Marine Corps helicopter.
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Eight 480 volt high-intensity mercury arc bulbs create a variable flash, adjustable from it's normal 1.4 million candlepower to a full 14 million candlepower beam. Coast Guardsmen must wear protective clothes within the lantern room, due to the intense heat given off by the lamps. The light is part of the Coast Guard station, who's quarters were destroyed by fire in February 2002.
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