New beacon tower installed in Manitowoc Harbor

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --A new structure was put into place at the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard. The beacon tower was installed Tuesday, July 21, in Manitowoc Harbor after the old one was destroyed by a giant wave in 2019. 

Maintowoc Harbor's new navigational tower and light is a courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The new structure is much sturdier. The old one was originally made of steel and fiberglass and set on a concrete base standing 20 feet tall. The new one is all steel and sits about two feet higher to make it more visible to boaters on Lake Michigan. 

"It went really smooth," Petty Officer Cameron Mayasich with the U.S. Coast Guard said. "All the drawings made it match up perfectly. Just a little adjustment to get it lined up and dropped right into place. We're hoping it's going to stay out here a little longer than the last one did."

The light will also feature a solar electrical system to make sure it lights up in all weather conditions.