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Yes, you can bring a laptop. There is regular household 110V electricity that
you will maintain - it's wind-generated and pollution-free! No, the
lighthouse does not have wireless internet access.
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Yes, we welcome repeat keepers -- especially those who have children who want
to come back.
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Do not bring dishes, but if you want
to save water you could bring paper plates. You could also bring paper napkins and paper towels
if you prefer to use them. We provide
cloth napkins and kitchen towels, plus Scott toilet paper (which is OK for our
septic system).
List of additional things you may want to
bring.
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You bring your food, ice, drinks, clothing, and
sleeping bags for kids. It's a good idea to plan your meals ahead of time. If
you're coming from a distance, you may want to buy enough food for just the
first couple of days. That way you can see what staples have been left at the
lighthouse by the previous keepers. You could schedule a food shopping trip into town
on Tuesday or Wednesday.
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PACK IT IN AND PACK IT OUT means you always
take your trash and recyclables back with you.
Remember: No Styrofoam anything, EVER, please!
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Please don't bring candles or oil lamps!
(Birthday candles excepted!) Instead, we prefer
you to use our compact fluorescent lights. This is a historic building on an
island after all, and THERE IS NO FIRE STATION nearby!
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Yes, we have binoculars, but depending on how
many times they’ve been dropped, you’ll probably do better if you bring your
own.
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When you arrive, we'll take you to the
Lighthouse aboard the Foundation's lobster boat. We can accommodate up to 6
paying passengers. During the next week, if we're making a crossing anyway,
you can hop aboard at no cost, but if we have to make a special trip to bring
you into town or take you back to the lighthouse, the standard transportation
cost applies per person.
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Yes, it is
possible for you to get off the island during the week. A day trip into town
for groceries, to do laundry or some sightseeing is not a problem, however, if you want to
spend a lot of time sightseeing and shopping in Newport, you should plan it before or
after your
stay as our
keeper. We really do rely on you to be the caretaker of the lighthouse and to
respond to emergencies (which don't happen often, fortunately!).
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Emergencies: You can contact Castle
Hill Coast Guard by marine radio on VHF Ch. 16, or by cell phone at
401-846-3675. If you need to leave a number for someone to contact you at the
lighthouse, the cell number there is 401-228-4496 - live action only, no voice
mail.
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Yes, the lighthouse has regular household-type
110v electricity – the only difference is YOU maintain it! The lighthouse has a
single 20-amp wind-powered service to run the beacon. Back up is a diesel-powered generator.
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What if you don't
have any skills??? We believe everyone has skills -- some yet to be
discovered. Each Keeper helps as they can. The necessary ingredient is your
enthusiasm and desire to make a meaningful contribution.
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Yes, you may take shells and sea glass from the
beach, but as Native American custom dictates, only take what you need.
Shiny glass MUST be thrown back into the water to be worn down for someone to
find in the future. Remember, stewardship is taking care of something that doesn't
belong to you.
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Wear beach shoes (shells can be sharp) and
bring beach towels. You are your own lifeguards. Don't swim alone.
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Yes, you can fish. We have fishing poles, but
you should bring your own salt-water rod(s) if you want to be sure to have one that works. Fish for striped bass,
bluefish and tautog off the lighthouse rocks. (Recommended bait: squid,
pogies & sea worms).
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Yes, the mussels are edible! We also have a lobster pot to fish off the
dock. Recycle your leftover meat and fish scraps as
lobster bait. Striped bass is particularly good, or bring frozen raw chicken
parts.
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No smoking inside any of the
buildings. If you must smoke, go to the beach and field strip your filters to
leave nothing behind – little filters are a BIG litter problem!
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Yes, a SMALL campfire MAY be allowed, depending
on the wind direction and drought conditions. YOU MUST GET PERMISSION FIRST from RILF
staff: either Joe or Charlotte. Additional stand-by water buckets and fire
extinguishers are REQUIRED. Remember, there is no fire station!
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If your fishing attempts all fail, try a clambake in a can from Long Wharf Seafood
located at the foot of the Newport Bridge exit. 24-hr notice is required. You
pick it up or we'll deliver for a small fee. Call 401-846-6379 or 401-846-6320.
Cook it on the outside burner in the summertime. Not always available in the
wintertime.
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Until August 15 walking around the island is
prohibited, however, you may use our 2-person kayak (at your own risk) to paddle
around it, just don’t land on any beaches except at the lighthouse. In
the wintertime you must be careful not to approach the harbor seals too
closely (whether they are hauled out on the north spit or on citing rock).
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Yes, you have a toilet in the lighthouse, but
it is seldom used. As in the old days, EVERYONE uses the outside toilet
(unless the weather is really bad -- like it's raining cats and dogs and
filling up the cistern anyway -- or it’s the dead of winter and the outside
toilets are frozen solid).
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What if you get stranded at the lighthouse because of the weather? Well, you
get a FREE night at the lighthouse, of course! You can use the lighthouse cell phone to
call your boss and explain why you can't get to work on Monday.... relax, it's
a great story that will soon become part of your family legend!
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What do you mean, we have to pay AND work too? Comparable
waterfront cottages in Newport rent for $3,000 - $5,000 for the week (actually
there's nothing that really compares to staying in a LIGHTHOUSE on an
ISLAND!). Our rates are significantly lower because of the light-house-keeping
responsibilities you do.