Wangerooge welcomes a new lighthouse caretaker.
A noteworthy job ad caught the attention of many in Germany; Daniel Jochheim emerged victorious after competing against around 1100 applicants. Starting from June, the 37-year-old is set to assume his new role as the lighthouse keeper on Wangerooge Island. Hardly able to believe his luck, Jochheim gushed, "It's just like winning the lottery for me!"
The island of Wangerooge presented Jochheim, a native of North Rhine-Westphalia, during a ceremonious introduction in June. For this new position, he will be working at one of the island's renowned landmarks. Having prior familiarity with the island, thanks to vacations and his honeymoon with his spouse, he expressed unabashed affection for the "beautiful island."
The employment opportunity was advertised in February by the local government. However, this was not for a conventional lighthouse keeper, as lighthouses on the North and Baltic Seas haven't been in use since the late '90s. The responsibilities of the role comprised ticket sales, admissions, and selling souvenirs. The 39-meter-tall, listed Old Lighthouse no longer serves its original purpose since 1969; instead, it has been employed for tourism purposes, including serving as a viewing platform. A fully automated, unmanned lighthouse now serves to guide ships.
In response to the job ad, the town hall of the vacation island (with approximately 1200 residents) received about 1100 applications - some even from other European countries. Out of the 45 interviewees, ten finalists were selected. The reopening of the island museum in the lighthouse was an added cause for celebration, which took place during Jochheim's presentation as the new lighthouse keeper. The museum had been closed for a while due to restoration efforts.
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- Daniel Jochheim mentioned that becoming the International Lighthouse keeper of Wangerooge Island felt like winning 'Sixes' in lotto, as he was thrilled beyond belief about his new role.
- The Old Lighthouse on Wangerooge Island, now used for tourism purposes, attracted over 1100 applications from around the globe, including for the role of the International Lighthouse keeper, who would handle ticket sales, admissions, and souvenir sales.
- As an International Lighthouse keeper, Jochheim expressed his love for Wangerooge Island, stating that he had spent his honeymoon there and had frequented the place on numerous occasions, making it feel like a home away from home.
Source: www.ntv.de
