Fyrvakt

Fyrvakt is a term used in Norwegian and Swedish to denote the person responsible for operating and maintaining a lighthouse and its signaling equipment. The word combines fyr, meaning lighthouse, with vakt, meaning guard or keeper. The cognate Danish fyrvagt is used in similar contexts.

The fyrvakt's duties included keeping the light burning, fueling and trimming lamps, cleaning the lens, and maintaining the mechanical rotation of the lens. They managed fog signals, kept weather and sea-condition records, and relayed information to harbor authorities and ships. Many fyrvakter lived at the lighthouse station, often with their families, and performed shift work to provide round-the-clock coverage.

With the introduction of automated lights and remote monitoring in the 20th century, the need for on-site fyrvakt diminished. Today, automation is common, and remaining fyrvakt roles are typically supervisory, maintenance, or historical-preservation positions within maritime administrations or museums. The term remains part of Nordic maritime heritage and is sometimes used in literature and historical accounts to evoke the era of manual lighthouse keeping.