Retirement, Honors and Museum Service
The following honors have been indicated:
- National Register of Historic Places, listed 12 July 1976
- National Historic Landmark, listed 20 December 1989
- State Register, listed 17 May 1973
- State Historical Marker, erected 1973.
The ship is exceptionally well-preserved, and has an operable light and fog horn still on board. Her twin General Motors diesel engines are fully operational, having been brought back to life through the efforts of volunteer mechanics. Amateur radio station K8HLM operates from her. She is officially designated as Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society No. USA-394.
The engines suffered damage as the ship awaited transfer to state ownership. The pistons and cylinders were restored through the contributions and efforts of local companies and volunteers. They powered every part of the shift, from lighting to fog horn. To keep them in working order, they are operated every thirty days. That this is a working ship, and not just a static museum, is seen as part of its charm.
She was the last of her kind. It is the smallest surviving lightship, and is representative of the 96-foot (29 m) class.
Read more about this topic: United States Lightship Huron (LV-103)
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