Hudson-Athens must protect collision blows

On April 30, 2025, a Carver Companies tractor took contact with the historic Hudson-Athens lighthouse, which damaged the dock and stairs to the building.

The Hudson-Athens lighthouse, an important help for navigation and a symbol of the maritime history of the region, is located in the middle of the Hudson River between the city of Hudson and the village of Athens. It is listed in the national register of historical places and recently appointed one of the “11 most endangered historical places” in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

No injuries were reported in the collision and the US Coast Guard was notified. The Hudson-athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (Halps), which owns and maintains the lighthouse, reacted quickly to assess the damage. Initial inspections confirmed significant structural effects on the lower access area.

The lighthouse, which still serves as an active navigation aid for river traffic, has long required critical restoration work due to the exposure to hard weather and river currents. The increased size of the commercial ships had the unintentional consequence of the scraping and the unveiling of the wooden piles of the lighthouse, which led to its continued destabilization.

“Although it is always discouraging to damage such an estimated landmark, we realize that accidents happen,” said Kristin Gamble, President of Hals. “We are grateful for the Carver company for their transparency in the recognition of the incident and for their integrity in order to take responsibility for damage. Your willingness to become a partner in the long-term restoration of the Hudson-Athens lighthouse.

Carver Companies was made aware of this incident on Wednesday morning. “We then contacted the US Coast Guard and our partners of the Hudson Athous Lighthouse Preservation Society to coordinate remedial measures. This includes the installation of a temporary dock and the repair of the stairs from today. It is important that the Lighthouse structure itself is not written.” The incident seems to have been weather-related. However, the tractor captain was suspended until the result of an internal examination. “

Halps currently heads a comprehensive restoration initiative to stabilize and preserve the lighthouse for future generations. The organization calls on the members of the community, the supporters of historical preservation and the government partners to gather behind the efforts to ensure that the lighthouse remains a safe and permanent game on the Hudson River.