What Is Coast Guard Lightship WLV-604?
Lightship WLV-604 “Columbia” is the oldest and longest serving Coast Guard lightship on the West Coast!
What Makes It Historical?
WLV-604, also known as WAL-604, was built in 1950 by Rice Brothers Shipyard in Boothbay, Maine and commissioned in 1951. She moved to the mouth of the Columbia River and used a Duplex 500mm lens lantern to guide vessels past the treacherous Columbia River Bar! Here, the sister ship of the WLV-605 and her crew of 18 worked until she was decommissioned in 1979! Surprisingly, she’s bounced around the National Register, being added in 1978, removed in 1983 after changing locations, and added again in 1989! Today, the work of the lightship is done by an automated buoy!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Become a member of the Columbia River Maritime Museum!
- Donate to Columbia River Maritime Museum!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
1792 Marine Drive
Astoria, Oregon 97103
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
You can admire the outside of the ship whenever you like, but to go aboard, visit between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas!