Yanyuk Vasily Ivanovich

(autotranslated, could have mistakes)

Lower (Front, Near) Sivers lighthouse.

In Vasily Ivanovich’s passport, in the “registration” column it is written: Near Siversov Lighthouse.

Currently, three people are on duty to maintain the lighthouse. Their shift work ensures the uninterrupted functioning of the lighthouse as an important navigational and hydrographic unit. All these people are former military officers. The rank is not lower than lieutenant colonel.

Specific service at the lighthouse requires the constant presence of personnel at the site. Therefore, the families of the caretakers live right there, in a special house. The territory of the lighthouse farm has an exemplary well-groomed appearance.

And lighthouse workers probably have the longest lunch break provided for by the labor legislation of Ukraine. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., staff are allowed to leave their posts.

The main responsibility of a lighthouse keeper is to turn on the main signal light in a timely manner and maintain its glow from an hour before sunset until an hour after dawn.

The lighthouse keeper is obliged to maintain good technical condition of all these systems. And this is the human factor.

People who are selflessly devoted to their work go to serve at the lighthouse. This kind of life needs to be loved. After all, not all lighthouses are located in a place like ours! Some are built completely isolated on deserted islands and remote capes. Vasily Ivanovich keeps a book in which all 60 lighthouses of Ukraine are described in detail.

Lighthouses are amazing people! The service, which may not seem complicated at first glance, actually comes with a huge responsibility! Random people don't stay here.

From year to year, every day, a caretaker rises to the observation deck of the tower. Holding the railing with his hands, Vasily Ivanovich looks into the distance.

Such a look. I haven’t seen anyone... We, accustomed to the compressed space of city blocks, from the height of the tower have a stunning view of an unusually distant horizon.

Vasily Ivanovich looks differently: thoughtfully, seriously, calmly. His gaze breathes with confidence and love. He is attached to this place. To these vast expanses as far as the eye can see.

He knows every buoy on the river. There are 12 of them in the observation zone. Each buoy has its own unique glow rhythm. You need to keep a close eye on them, especially in winter when there is ice. And even more closely when the ice begins to move towards the sea. It happens that ice breaks off buoys. And then you need to save them. And it happens that people doomed to big troubles find themselves on the ice - careless fishermen who are not aware. That by neglecting safety rules, they put not only their lives at risk, but also the lives of people. Obliged to save them How many grateful words did Vasily Ivanovich hear for his saved life during his ten years of service? And how many poor fellows wanted to punch them in the neck! But we have to restrain ourselves. And in how many languages ​​did he hear words of gratitude from the captains of foreign ships for the successful passage of the ship!!!

Yes! extraordinary people - lighthouses! Vasily Ivanovich’s son was so imbued with love for his father’s work that he also decided to devote his life to this service. Only he did not wait until he retired due to age. Young guy. Now he is graduating from the Academy of Water Transport.

There is a well-known expression: “Lighthouses are the shrine of the seas!” They belong to everyone and are inviolable!” Vasily Ivanovich said that during the Great Patriotic War this lighthouse remained intact. Neither ours nor the Germans raised the hand to destroy it.

Source and more details: forum.bazar.nikolaev.ua