Frying Pan Shoals

Description

[@williamcharles9480]

When I was stationed on the Coast Guard Cutter Laurel, a 180 foot bouy tender out of Atlantic Beach, NC, part of our designated duty was to refuel Frying Pan Light. This was back in the early 1970s when full crews of Coast Guardsmen were assigned to duty aboard the light. It was a community unto itself with a rotation of two weeks on and two weeks off. The fishing during the summer was fantastic as the Gulf Stream was in the vicinity of Frying Pan's position. Barracuda of immense proportions could be seen lurking in the shadows of the lighthouse. They would sit in wait to pounce on anything that caused the slightest glimmer in the sunlight. Many a Guardsmen fishing off of the light, lost the majority of a good catch from those sharp toothed creatures in waiting. I guess it was just part of the game. I, myself, a Laurel crewman, would fish off of the Laurel's bouy deck while we were anchored next to the light transferring fuel. This refueling operation would take several hours. The captain of our ship would declare a special "leisure day" for us where you could do as you pleased as long as you weren't on watch or involved with the refueling. On one particular day I caught a huge shark that was over seven feet in length on one of our visits. The recreation department had bought some nice offshore fishing gear for us to use and I was taking advantage of it. Once I brought this monster to the surface, I immediately had no desire to try and land such a huge and dangerous fish, I cut the line. It was fun to have a good 30 to 40 minute fight, though. Besides, it would have taken equipment to raise this thing from the water and I'm sure that the Captain wouldn't have approved. Then again, I really didn't want to kill the thing. While the shark was being caught, one of my shipmates did catch and land a 22 pound Bluefish. The cooks prepared it as a favor to him, but it was too fishy in taste for me to eat. The Filipino stewards, who were on board, did take delight in preparing the fish's head in a pot with rice, though. It was a traditional eating and social event for them. They wanted only the head, the rest of the fish was of no interest to them. I'm glad to have seen this video as it has brought back some memories of a long time ago when my young mind thought that the Frying Pan Light would be in service forever. I guess that I was wrong.

[@fusionfallboy863]

William Charles I’m shipping off to Coast Guard Basic on Tuesday. My dad was in the CG for 20 years and just retired last year.

[@theobliterator4616]

@@fusionfallboy863 can I come

[@MrDougster37]

Thanks for sharing, brother. All the best. :)

[@williamcharles9480]

fusionfallboy863 , I wish you all of the luck in your new career. My advice for basic training is to lay low, do exactly what your told and listen to your instructors. You'll find that you'll be hungry all of the time, but they know exactly how much you need to eat. I gained 15 pounds in basic and was in the best physical condition in my life. You'll be sleepy too, but that's something that you'll learn to overcome. You'll get used to standing watch in the middle of the night, every night, also. You'll get homesick, too. You might lose your girlfriend, many guys did. They probably weren't worth worrying about anyway. If you start feeling a little down, just remember, it won't last forever. You might get in with a bunch of good guys like me. My company, Romeo 81 was the first 4 time honor company. I don't know if it's ever been equaled or if it still stands, but being Honor Co. got you out of doing morning calisthenics and it gave you a status that brought a lot of envy among the other recruits. Those morning calisthenics are something that wasn't to most people's liking at 5AM on a cold Cape May morning. It was nice to sit in that warm squad bay watching everyone else freezing their asses off. This was good reason for us to work hard for Honor Co. I'm sure things have changed since my 1971 experience in Cape May. It's probably for the better. Here's to wishing you good luck, mate, you made a good decision and you'll be keeping up a family tradition. I'm sure that your dad's proud. It'll be the experience of your life.

[@slister1911]

That's some good advice to a young recruit. Thanks for sharing a great story and thanks for your service, both of you!

[@jeffwalvoord777]

I have a feeling that this will soon become a much more popular destination! Love the cam view of the approaching hurricane. Might look into a weekend here myself. Great story..

[@sierravista9782]

Well said- his last statement - you only have so much time. Live Life!

[@faithcastillo9597]

What a lovely idea, but well out of my price range.

[@matthewfithian891]

I was Stationed at CGAS Elizabeth City,NC, in 1983-1986, Crewed as a Flight Mechanic on the HH3F we brought in supplies like oil and diesel for the automatic Generators when the CG owned it. landed the Helicopter on the Platform then, saw a lot of Rays and Hammer Head Sharks flying out their!

[@toddgordon2809]

I really hope they can battle the rust and keep this thing up.

[@timothinking9855]

check out his videos. it's an awesome hotel now.

[@nallen6559]

Hurricane Florence brought me to this site too, awesome story. Wish him all the luck in the world. hope he achieves his dreams.

[@TheAdadadada]

There's another little known, offshore B&B idea that's starting to catch on as a vacation destination now. I think they call it, "Cruise"! The only difference is, they can run from hurricanes! Love this idea! Good luck!

[@gapyrodawg5181]

Hurricane Florence brought me here, what a awesome project, hope it's some day completed and I can check it out🌀⛈️🌀

[@Rainingsandstone]

yep there was a live cast from the tower

[@brohdaw]

Yes the hurricane brought me too! This is so cool

[@mcgee6177]

KEVIN!!

[@allanhesz764]

Trueblood

[@allanhesz764]

Call trueblood

[@ThomCordeiro]

Hurricane Florence and the web cam are going to provide a lot of advertising for The Frying Pan over the next few days!

[@cwhoff290]

Thom Cordeiro no kidding

[@lennongroover4189]

Ha yep and Dorian had no idea until Florence and eventually found out wait this is a bed and breakfast at first they had the nylon flag and that thing got shredded then they got the polyester one tore up but not as bad

[@misskitty8510]

So awesome!!! Pretty much bought his own little Island!!! 🏝

[@fuckface8944]

That might collapse one day 😳😬

[@kennybrew100]

My dad was stationed there in the late 60's early 70's , he was just showing me pictures of the tower back then

[@billc2054]

kenny brouillard Your dad must have been there when the station was brand new! Somewhere along the line someone was an artist and painted a mural on the wall of the dining room. It was (if I remember) the old “Ironsides” blasting it’s cannons against another ship. I was stationed there from 1976-78 Bill Collins EM3

[@bonnieblue9185]

I bet if you and your dad sent him pictures he would put them on display

[@EthanWhateley]

that's neat! see if you can get some pics from those days. Would be very interesting to see. As someone else said, I'm sure the owner would be happy to see and show them.

[@foxsden]

I would love to see the light house get renovated!

[@dustyflair]

What an awesome piece!

[@billbehrens4487]

This place is awesome! Good Luck would love to stay the night

[@batcountryfishingrods832]

I've always wanted a jack up rig made as mobile fishing station almost exactly like this.

[@echt114]

My first thought: No mosquitoes! 2nd thought: How does the plumbing and sewer work? 3rd: Why didn't they do the stairs first?

[@mskittymartinmitchel]

Really nice piece; thanks!

[@sunnyskiesb.3498]

So awesome! Great job!

[@slister1911]

Excellent video and a great story. The Frying Pan's live stream is down due to issues with hurricane Florence but hopefully they'll be back up soon. Prayers and well wishes for all aboard, 34 miles out to sea!

[@danielrodriguezperez8655]

Looks amazing

[@susiemcd3941]

Wonder how structurally sound the legs of that building are! Did he start there first to make the entire place secure?

[@christiankolmers]

Hang in there, Kevin!

[@Axomious]

Foof K poor kevin

[@lunaseur327]

Wow. This is amazing

[@eastvalleycomputer]

Great spot for a Zip line into the sea. Let go and drop! Weld a simple tube ladder for the fit to the top? Make a Cable suspended cabins below with electricity stove and fridge and small decks. Consult the tree fort experts.

[@rayhantec4833]

wow... I like to stay thare

[@questioneverything5758]

Just added to my bucket list.

[@sherrybeelerbrigham5411]

Richard Neil I think that this one day will be very Awesome & people will loved to be there to get away from it all litterly lol 😉😀😁🌊🌴🌊

[@miata100]

Building saved thousands, Kevin saved millions.

[@theuninspiredlife657]

Beautiful place. Essentially a country on its own...

[@thehomesteadishmoodys7727]

Who do I contact to make reservations ?I would love to spend a weekend there

[@Nextgen_Account]

New Balance shoes confirmed.

[@jimreed2138]

Awesome

[@deweys]

Less expensive than a corvette? That's a good deal

[@froglick28]

One heck of a bug out shelter

[@karindob2086]

Hope to get a follow up to this after the storm.

[@BattlecatRed]

The tower was built in 1964, when asbestos and lead paint were used. I wonder how this is addressed when they are doing renovations...asbestos potentially in floor tiles, insulation, etc.. lead paint possibly used everywhere...Also how is sewage dealt with at the tower?

[@brynja9973]

Unless your going, mind your business

[@PaulWinfieldCollector]

I'm there! Where do I sign up?

[@koaasst]

lots of traffic here due to Hurricane Florence approaching!! thx to explore.org livecam with a front row view!

[@cgreenfield6655]

Reddit brought me here.

[@ethanf5961]

Kevin brought me here.

[@chevyvega6622]

wait till pirate boats show up and no defense

[@toddtourville984]

That man is a hero.

[@raydavison8498]

Good Stuff

[@DJSLANKMAN]

Imagine being on it during the hurricane

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

Camera man got the money shots.

[@donaldtorrao7530]

And that's what I call Ocean View every room has a ocean view I hope this guy finishes at thing before his time comes

[@krystingrant6292]

I hope Neil is okay during hurricane Florence

[@waak94ify]

This is a cool place wish it was mine

[@Charles-BARKLEY]

R.I.P Kevin.

[@jeathat]

i want to stay there

[@danielz722]

Hope it's fairing well in Hurricane Matthew.

[@michellehopkins6905]

They did fine! They actually have a video of it during the hurricane.

[@JodyBruchon]

They have a webcam up right now showing Hurricane Florence.

[@krystingrant6292]

@@JodyBruchon yes watching it now. Winds are crazy

[@rdbchase]

faring

[@youngblood23rb]

Watch "Frying Pan Ocean Cam powered by EXPLORE.org" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpaqZYGuoNSofa8

[@poppilman448]

If I win the lottery I'm going to hide out there for a while!

[@krishtravels6119]

Nice place , don’t like the fact that the foot of the structure is rusting though, think they need to do something about that. Maybe then I’d make a trip.

[@jeffmoore8727]

It's about to go thru another Hurricane! I would like to be there when it does. Are people allowed there during a hurricane?

[@RickeSharp]

There's a webcam explore.org/livecams/frying-pan/frying-pan-cam hope it makes it too.

[@christopherhanley7516]

Check out Frying Pan Ocean Cam powered by Explore.com on KZbin

[@timothinking9855]

$85k?... wow great price. came a long way since this.

[@MM-qy7si]

this looks like the begining of a Stephen King book "The Frying Pan"

[@k-ozdragon]

Hiring for a promotions manager\property management? Seems like supply & demand applies here - who else has a tower in the middle of the ocean made to accommodate tourists? International waters means freedom from regulation. Who wouldn't pay to stay here?! Limited availability, book now! Btw I ask because I'll take the job!

[@tednugent8501]

U need a professional painter. I sir am a pro painter. U buy, I'll fly man.😳

[@katiel1979]

This is so cool but sooo expensive

[@sladem8235]

I hope he's Gas Testing these Tanks before making Entry or sending some unsuspecting Soul into an Oxygen Deficient environment and to their Death. These tanks have built up a lot of rust over the years Many a sailor has entered tanks breathing and come out Not breathing. I like his spunk but sounds like a lot of volunteers are helping all of whom may not know any better.

[@HaloJumpmaster]

No confined space permits in the middle of nowhere. :)

[@ChuckNorrisUltra]

@@HaloJumpmaster lol True. I bet that flaking paint is lead based also

[@hiimnevin]

Neat story!

[@daleb7372]

yeah, that tank needs to be sandblasted. then vacuumed out. then pained. whoever does it needs to be hooked up to supplied air. From what I see, a lot of things just need to be cut out and replaced. But hard to do in the middle of nowhere without a budget. I think it would take a team of fabricators a few years to get it going.

[@paulskopic5844]

Slade, your are spot on, and the "air" is supposed to be continuously monitored while personnel are in the tank.

[@davidthomas9190]

Kevin led me here 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@codyflies5410]

This is so awesome and he got it for only 85,000$ thats amazing....

[@DC-iq4gf]

"Only $85,000". You remind me of people who marvel at the low cost of 10 year old Mercedes. "It's a S-class Mercedes for only $10,000. It was worth $100,000 new!".

[@skeeter2136]

a shitty car doesn't compare to a cool man-made island

[@b3j8]

When the Coasties were stationed there it was well maintained. Since then, over forty- odd yrs ago, it's slowly been going to pot. Bottomless money pit if you ask me.

[@chuckanderson8144]

Looks like the main support legs are just about to collapse due to rust damage

[@jamesbuchanan6256]

I wonder what it would feel like to jump from the platform into the water?

[@redtops5160]

Okay with the rain water storage tanks and wind generator a lot of the basic needs can be met. Still will use a lot of consumables that will have to be shipped out there, food & cooking supplies. Plus diesel for the generators when the wind isn't blowing. You can't lose any of the thick stanchions that the station rests upon. Sea water and humid air will really work on those steel stanchions. The cost to replace those stanchions will be ridiculous, not worth the effort. I see the stanchions failing in the future and the station falling into the sea.

[@carlyungmann4355]

Fun for a day.

[@cgreenfield6655]

Is there a sea cable feeding the data to this thing? Or is it all satellite?

[@FrenchINHALE1]

Have to be satellite, sea cable would be so so expensive.

[@leofilmedit]

Not satellite, its a PTP (point to point) connection from the tower to a 100+ foot antennae somewhere in the mountains in NC. its a Cambrium 4 foot dish that's beaming the signal across the water.

[@cgreenfield6655]

@@leofilmedit ahh yes

[@burntreynolds8312]

that shit looks fun

[@Nill757]

Anybody know the tower’s hurricane resistance? It’s avoided a direct hit so far from a strong hurricane. Those steps that are missing btw were not just lost to “rust”. A hurricane took them.

[@williewillaims9069]

Pretty Cool, Don't be throwing any Garbage in the ocean

[@SlowBoatSailing]

Nice report!

[@DerekShaffers]

Will Florence be the one to take ?

[@kennybutler3912]

mosquitoes have entered the chat

[@bill2270]

Nice.....but it's no Nantahala Gorge!

[@rafikison8125]

Watch the live feed, water looks like it's ten feet from the platform. This is nuts to see in comparison.

[@lennongroover4189]

So when you stay there are you allowed to go up on top where the flag pole and light are or is that just for the owner

[@pjanoo6973]

Nice video but the audio is destroying my ears

[@mikemcpherson9731]

Needs to be a platform lower beneath to fish from.

[@billc2054]

mike mcpherson There used to be a very sturdy walkway down there at the bottom of the spiral stairs. The walkway connected to each piling with a larger platform area for landing personnel from a swing rope. The swing rope had two monkey lines tied to it and one was usually tossed to the USCGC Point Martin (an 82 footer) they pulled the swing rope over and a lucky sailor like me would grab on, wait for a wave to crest and swing over while the guys from the tower pulled you to the tower. We always got a laugh when someone didn’t time it right and swung out when the cutter was low on the wave, they usually took a bath from the next rising wave! Bill Collins EM3 (stationed there 1976-78)

[@paulbrown1585]

Baccaruda !

[@kevintherise9549]

KEVIN

[@shermanali2632]

WOW 😯 I’m impressed!...Hopefully you guys don’t get much damage from this storm?⛈ 🤞🤦‍♂️✌️

[@samifaye4826]

How does someone seriously expect to make this structure safe for people? You’re telling me a young girl in hospitality is doing the maintenance? Omg insurance would be a nightmare.

[@saintdarthcoder]

35 miles off-short, outside of any state regulation zones? Bet there's no insurance at all.

[@franklucientes6885]

Invest in a sandblaster

[@DC-iq4gf]

Came here because of Hurricane Florence. There's a live cam on this thing and somebody posted the link on reddit.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

How does he make money??😕😕

[@lennongroover4189]

Hmm just like his it is our condo in PCB Florida

[@rdbchase]

"... just as unique as [sic] ... there are no limits ..." -- TV news' relentless boosterism and advocacy makes for poor journalism. There's plenty of references to rust and refurbishment, but not a single one to corrosion's effect on the structural integrity of the tower and its supporting legs, which is a strange omission -- what do engineers say about the expected remaining life of the structure?

[@saintdarthcoder]

They did mention quite a bit of the place was unsafe early on. Sadly, the main supports are the biggest point of concern - the whole structure looks like it's one good storm from tipping over.

[@ChuckNorrisUltra]

@@saintdarthcoder I guess we'll find out by morning.

[@martinadelaide3385]

Are you deaf? They mentioned that just after the lifting of the cargo bit. And it's actually none of your business what the engineers say.

[@rdbchase]

Right, moron!

[@leofilmedit]

Read somewhere that surveyors gave the tower 50 more years, that's with maintenance

[@lennongroover4189]

So I guess the flagpole was there in the 60’s to the old one I think

[@lennongroover4189]

Also how could I be an owner if I wanted to I mean I’m only 19 but I think that would be cool to own especially with your own helicopter or wind turbine on top of bottom heck maybe even both

[@noone-ft9lw]

she's hot

[@lennongroover4189]

Next time it comes up for sale again if it ever does then maybe I can if I ever get the money because right now I have 800 or so or maybe even a tad less in my bank account not really sure

[@postermark7173]

it looks like a money pit

[@lennongroover4189]

So if I were to stay there or my family then could I like out what she flag wanted of mine that I wanted on the the pole if it’s ok with the owner because i like that type of stuff with my flags and especially if I see a pole

[@lennongroover4189]

But I’m glad she talked to me and took the time to speak to me yeah other people did that too especially girls like popular girls girls in between popular and not and then the kind of nerdy tattoo type but shes not like that in fact the exact opposite and they did t really take the time the way that she did plus we are kind of both shy and understand each other

[@lennongroover4189]

And my best friends last name is fry too ha what do you know

[@lennongroover4189]

So I have a lot stuff open so when I look or search for my tab I type in fry just to save time and I usually get this stuff the tower and her stuff too but at first it her it would pop up and nothing else even though she’s not wanting a relationship but hopefully in the future and she’s a senior and I graduated on may 24th of this year and she’s just turned 17 on May 3rd born 2002 and I was born October 29th 99 and I’m 19

[@lennongroover4189]

Teacher said especially the English teacher that I’m good in vocabulary in English but not punctuation or trying to figure out where it goes the punctuation was my part and maybe there too. Sorry if I hear or see something that makes me think of my friend and how I guess it’s kind of similar to the situation then I feel like I have to share it plus we met 2 years ago in resource like her especially when she would talk to me when I’m listening to my music and when I would wait down at the curb for my dad and she would do the same too before she started driving kind of jealous yeah yeah I could just get my license and might this year before it’s fall and still hot out and still summers and if want to do something I don’t have to have my dad take us and when she would talk to me in class I liked her or at least least when she did and would be polite and nice and would think ok yeah great😒 and 😁or 🙂 and now I’m glad she talked to me also I did t really have a crush on her until after our Halloween block party that we have every year mainly kids and we are the only older teenagers that go the rest are probably like kids and maybe 10 or 11 and her twin step siblings just turned 13 I think maybe last week or the week before is what I meant to say

[@warmachine303]

Cheap owner

[@chrisguice3472]

At least he owns it and you don't. Why don't you buy it and let's see what you can do with a jackass