County re-authorizes lighthouse climbs

Seven months after the Gulf County Commission closed the Cape San Blas Lighthouse, citing insurance liabilities, tours of the historic structure have resumed.

Human Resources Director Denise Manuel notified lighthouse employee Beverly Mount-Douds of the news in an e-mail last Wednesday.

Mount-Douds reopened the lighthouse on Friday, and reported 12 climbers: six adults and six kids.

An additional seven visitors paid $5 apiece to climb the lighthouse on Saturday.

The Gulf County Commission voted 5-0 to suspend climbs in August 2009 after commissioner Nathan Peters, Jr. voiced concern that the county could be sued if an accident were to occur on lighthouse grounds.

County attorney Tim McFarland estimated that the county would pay $100,000 per accident if someone fell down the tower's narrow stairway.

In an interview on Monday, Manuel said insurance liability is "not an issue any longer."

The county's insurance company has re-classified the lighthouse so that it is covered like any other historical building.

Climbs were previously considered "special events" that required additional insurance coverage.

Manuel said the county continues to work through issues surrounding the lighthouse's multi-party ownership.

Eglin Air Force Base owns the land on which the lighthouse keepers' quarters sit, though the Coast Guard owns the structures.

The county has not yet updated its original 2004 lease with Eglin, and lacks a formal agreement with the Coast Guard to allow tower climbs and gift shop operations.

Manuel said that all parties are "aware of what's going on and they're fine with it," now that the insurance issue has been resolved.

Manuel's email was welcome news to Mount-Douds, who has worked tirelessly for months to prepare for the Forgotten Coast Lighthouse Challenge.

The challenge, held on April 24 and 25, is an effort by the Florida Lighthouse Association to promote area lighthouses.

During the two-day event, visitors are encouraged to climb the lighthouses on Cape San Blas, St. Marks, Carrabelle and St. George Island.

Those who accomplish the feat will receive a commemorative button emblazoned with the words, "I survived the Forgotten Coast Lighthouse Challenge."

For more information on the challenge, contact Mount-Douds at 229-1094.