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OLD SAYBROOK - Whether it's on Connecticut license plates, the town's police department cruisers, or the directory sign at the Ocean State Job Lot shopping center, everyone is familiar with Old Saybrook's 1886 Breakwater Lighthouse.

While the lighthouse is expected to be maintained by a new owner, its future is expected to shine as bright as ever.

The National Park Service, NPS, in conjunction with the U.S. General Service Administration, GSA, and the U.S. Coast Guard, is declaring the lighthouse "excess property" allowing federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-profit organizations to apply to own a unique piece of real estate.

As soon as a "notice of availability" is issued on the NPS Web site, representatives from these groups can apply to own this unique piece of real estate.

NPS reviews applications and is expected to choose a single applicant who would own the lighthouse free of charge, however there is a catch.

According to Paula Santangelo, Public Affairs Officer for the GSA's New England Division, those applying to own the lighthouse must meet specific requirements as stated in the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Information about this act is available at http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/nhlpa/nhlpa.htm.

"The eligible entity to which the historic light station is conveyed must make the station available for education, park, recreation, cultural, or historic preservation purposes for the general public at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions," according to the NPS Web site.

Santangelo said private tours of the lighthouse are given by her agency to those interested in owning title to it.

If none of the groups meet the requirements, the GSA can sell the lighthouse to a private owner.

Santangelo said no matter who the owner is, the U.S. Coast Guard, which has traditionally been the parent owner of lighthouses, would continue to maintain the navigational beacon portion of the lighthouse which consists of a flashing green light.

Of the 28 lighthouses made available during 2001 and 2002 through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, only eight were transferred to private owners.

While the agency projects the transfer of ownership will happen in 2007, Santangelo said that it could be later since lighthouse tours cannot be given in the winter.

The Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as the Outer Light, is distinguished by its cast iron, brick lining, concrete caisson, and limited accessibility.

The only way of accessing the lighthouse is by boat or by walking the breakwater which is located off a private road in Fenwick.

When the lighthouse was built, it had a 1,000 pound fog bell which was soon replaced by a 250 pound bell after residents objected to the noise.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Breakwater Light experienced its most devastating hurricane on September 21, 1938 which caused the lighthouse to lose a bridge to the breakwater, its platform, and a 12-foot row boat.

While the storm carried away a 1,500 gallon tank of kerosene, the lighthouse keeper was able to keep the lighthouse lit throughout the storm.

Old Saybrook's other lighthouse, the 1803 Inner Light at Lynde Point, which is characterized by its granite pier, brownstone blocks, red and white markings and grey lantern, will continue to be owned by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Neither lighthouse is currently open to the public.