Lightship Finngrundet, Museum ship in Stockholm Harbor, Sweden
Lightship Finngrundet is a red-painted vessel about 31 meters long with white lettering on its hull, located in Stockholm Harbor near the Vasa Museum. It functioned as a floating lighthouse, helping ships navigate safely through challenging sea routes.
The vessel was built in 1903 at a shipyard in Gävle and served as a floating lighthouse in the southern Bothnian Sea for decades. It was decommissioned in 1969 after a long career guiding ships through these waters.
The vessel demonstrates how sailors once guided ships to safety using fog signals, underwater bells, and radio equipment in maritime communication. Visitors can see the equipment and spaces that made these early warning systems work.
The vessel is easily accessible in the harbor and can be explored from the outside, though access to the interior may vary depending on weather conditions. Wear sturdy shoes and allow time for a leisurely walk around the ship.
The eight-person crew lived aboard in isolation and received supplies and mail only every two weeks from a pilot steamer. This harsh routine reveals how demanding life at sea was for those maintaining these crucial navigation posts.
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