The 'Lange Jaap' (Tall Jake), also known as Kijkduin Light or Den Helder Light, is an active lighthouse near Huisduinen, Netherlands. At a height of 63.5 meters (208.2 ft), it is one of the tallest "traditional lighthouses" in the world. According to The Lighthouse Directory, it is the tallest non-skeletal cast iron lighthouse in the world. All Dutch navy personnel know its signature of 4 flashes every 20 seconds. Being visible up to 20NM at sea, it is a beacon for homecoming after deployments.

The cast iron has many large cracks, and the lighthouse has been closed to the public for years. The government was about to remove the lighthouse because it could not easily be repaired. Obviously, the costs involved would be a major issue as well. Many residents of Den Helder and Huisduinen specifically formed committees to prevent this. Their main argument is that it is a national monument and an 'important' landmark for the area. During storms, the road next to the lighthouse is closed because there is a danger of the lighthouse breaking and toppling over. But people are really emotionally attached to the tower. This has been going on for years now, and it is unclear what the future will bring.

This photo was taken from the nearby Royal Netherlands Navy base 'Fort Erfprins', which was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte. The fort's double moats are visible in the foreground. In the background is the village of Huisduinen with a (former) coastguard tower. The sea dyke is on the right. As I had special permission to enter the base, I believe that this perspective of the much-photographed lighthouse is pretty unique.