With the exception of the Brothers, which is a “Rock” station, manned by men only, large and comfortable houses are provided for lightkeepers and their families. Many children among the families employed are reared on the stations, the number in 1965 being 79. In many cases their schooling must be by correspondence and radio. On all stations it is possible to carry a small number of livestock for fresh milk and meat, thus making them largely self contained, particularly where vegetables can also be grown. In general, the families live on station for 11 months of the year, baking their own bread, varying their diet with fresh fish which are often plentiful, and making their own amusements with a great variety of hobbies. They have one month's annual leave. District nurses visit the stations to give inoculations to children and advise on their health, and medical advice by radio is available even at the most remote island.

Duties consist of the maintenance of diesel-electric equipment, the cleaning and polishing of lenses and lantern panes, the normal maintenance and painting of houses and buildings, paths, fences and roads, and the care of livestock and gardens. On store days there is the working of cranes to unload the servicing boat, and of tramways which in certain cases haul up the stores, mail, and drums of diesel oil to the top of cliffs.

Weather reports are coded and dispatched by radio-telephone or land line at frequent intervals, sometimes continuing overnight.