Essentially a floating lighthouse, Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 guided countless vessels through the dangerous, often fogbound waters off the Massachusetts coast. Decommissioned in 1975, LV-112 was sold with a covenant stipulating she must be owned by a non-profit and used for educational purposes. After previous efforts failed, a new owner, the United States Lightship Museum, successfully restored over 60% of the ship and secured an interim berth for the historic vessel. However, the museum still needs a long-term home for LV-112 in order to establish enhanced educational programming related to maritime heritage and environmental, marine, and nautical sciences.

Constructed in 1936 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 was called the "Statue of Liberty of the Sea,” as it was the first and last U.S. landmark seen by ships traveling to and from Europe. The vessel's famed fog signal could be heard for 14 miles, while its light beacon could be seen for 23 miles. During WWII, the converted LV-112 patrolled the coast off Portland, ME, rescuing the crew of the USS Eagle-56 after she was sunk by a German U-boat. Its 39 years of service made LV-112 the longest-serving lightship on the Nantucket Shoals.