Light House Cyclopedia

Question 2：Lightkeepers' Duties ？

A:
We call those who everlastingly devote their lives to protect and guide vessels Lightkeepers. At the very beginning when China dynasty set up the Customs, the assigned lightkeepers are always foreigners. The government didn't hire Taiwanese until the KMT government retreated from Mainland China.

The Customs just asks for simple rules, such as attention on repair and maintenance of aids to navigation and ensuring if they can work. Though the instruction is simple, it is the important principle and job description. It usually may take a long time for common people to learn those profession skills, keep those rules, and become capable of this task.

Since the Republic of China ceased to exist with the fall of the mainland, the people cross-strait haven't contacted with each other. So Taiwan lightkeepers suddenly had problem in learning skills. Fortunately, some technicians completed the lighthouse related courses in Shanghai before and came to Taiwan to pass down their skills and experiences.

In 1950, the Taiwan Customs recruited lightkeepers through exams, and only one person Yi Ming was hired. In 1964, the Customs only got one recruit Huang Youyu. While, in 1974, Ruan Fongwu, Peng Shaoci, Ting Caigeng and Wu cihyang are recruited. Huang Youyu, Ruan Fongwu and Peng Shaoci who still work for the Customs now are bare and important professional technicians in Taiwan.

In early times, before assignation to the posts, the recruited lightkeepers should accept professional setup training of lighting equipment, and work placement for one year in Baishajia Lighthouse, Fuguei Cape Lighthouse, Keelung Lighthouse and t he Lighthouse of Pengchia Islet in northern Taiwan. Many people think Lightkeeping job is boring and offers low salary. Therefore, the Customs modified the rule that new comers shall be sent to their designated working places directly to develop skills through in-work training.
The lightkeeper is asked to decorate, and strengthen tower body and enclosing walls with paint, plaster, whitewash or lime. Besides, they also need to learn to burn fuel oil for lighting, and maintain lighting equipment and power units. They also need to learn skills related to any equipment inside the lighthouse. Moreover, they are required to be on duty and learn to light the lamp at fixed time, and necessary lighting skills to guide the vessels in all directions. They also need to wash tower, wipe windows, doors and metal equipment, and keep the environment clean. Moreover, they need to how to fire the fog gun when it is foggy on the sea, and to deal with sudden and unexpected happenings. Furthermore, they also need to make reporting forms, put files in order, manage land, and establish contacts with military and police officers.

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