dockyard of Willemsoord in Den Helder. In 1998 the lighthouse was closed to the public due to cracks on the cast-iron floors. Although it was refurbished in 1999 and a new coat of paint was applied, it is unlikely that the tower will be reopened, especially due to more stringent safety regulations introduced after the Volendam café disaster and the formation of the Dutch Safety Board. In September 2021, according to the latest safety inspection, major cracks in the cast iron caused the site to be blocked for visitors. Due to the possibility of the construction collapsing, a 70-meter range around the lighthouse was completely blocked off. Whether and how the construction can be braced and reinforced is now being considered. Construction The 17-storey 264-step tower was designed by Quirinus Harder and prefabricated by Penn & Bauduin in Dordrecht. It was constructed from 1,088 iron plates and 21,446 nuts and bolts. In popular culture Lange Jaap is the subject of the song "Onze Lange Jaap" by Jan Helder. See also List of tallest lighthouses in the world List of lighthouses in the Netherlands List of Rijksmonuments References Lighthouses completed in 1822 Lighthouses completed in 1878 Lighthouses in North Holland Den Helder Rijksmonuments in North Holland 1822 establishments in the Netherlands