This year’s lighthouse dispatch begins aboard Nina a 26 ft wooden vessel on course to Number Ten Lighthouse 40km east of Thunder Bay on Lake Superior.

Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior Inc. (CLLS) first mission this season is to meet up with some young kayakers who will be volunteering and are from the Voyageur Outward Bound School in Ely, MN. They have come to donate their energies to do some conservation work at two of the organizations lighthouses while also learning more about the area.

This summer the Lighthouse group won a grant from the Great Lakes Guarding Community Fund to create further access to the islands, build a new nature trail, move existing outhouses, and clean-up any trash along the island’s waterline.

As I arrived at the island the outward bound students were doing a dunk test to experience a short exposure to the frigid waters of Superior while all successfully passing the test and getting back into their kayaks. After slipped out of their wet cloths they learned more about the lighthouse group’s ambition, goals and milestones.

As part of the navigation system, Number Ten Lighthouse was re-built in 1922 as an aid to mariners and provides safe passage from the south westerly’s winds. The Lake Superior Archipelago that is part of the National Marina Conservation Area (NMCA) has seen many fisherman, loggers, and passenger boat services in the past but today serves mostly pleasure boaters.

Upon completing their work duties the group headed out to Porphyry Island Lighthouse (another 15 km to the west) where this year alone has already seen 350 hrs of volunteer labour. Members of the Thunder Bay Yacht Club constructed and help provided 39ft. of new docking for visiting boaters, an outdoors group arrived by freighter canoe and worked on updating the tenting area. Two other crews attended to the guesthouse and grounds.

Several activates are planned at Porphyry Island this summer with three gatherings scheduled and a new Artist in Residence program beginning with artist Gayle Buzzi. We have other people attending the lighthouse including a writer, photographer and filmmaker, all capturing the beauty of the area and sharing their experience with others.

With two summer students hired as part of the Canada Summer Jobs, Porphyry Point is ready to accept visitors. This season will see the opening of a new gallery, the introduction of more interpretive information and several new amenities for visitors to experience from the NMCA.

Through volunteerism, community supporters, and sponsors the group is providing access to the general public and members a like to come and experience an island on Lake Superior.

As the summer rolls on I hope to bring you more news, happenings, and events from the Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior. Next installment will focus on our summer staff and observations as the season begins.

Paul Morralee is a member of the Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior (clls.ca) and is a documentary filmmaker in the winter months.

Photo Credit: CLLS

Caption: Outward Bound School practice dunking.