The approximately one-hour tour will include a boat ride to and from the lighthouse, as well as a 30-minute tour of the lighthouse itself, Steve Luca, chairman of the board for the Port of Lorain Foundation, said. The tours will leave from the dock near the foundation's museum and gift shop building next to the Coast Guard Station at Riverside Park.

Visitors to the lighthouse can tour it at their own pace, but there will be people offering explanations on each floor, Luca said.

Reserved tickets go on sale for $20 each today by calling or visiting the Black River Historical Society at 245-2563 or 309 W. Fifth St., Luca said. Each ticket has a designated time. The tours, which have a maximum capacity of 20 people each, leave every half hour beginning at noon, he added.

The last tour leaves at 5:30 p.m., Luca said. People are asked to be at the dock 15 minutes before their scheduled departure time.

Children less than 12 years old are not allowed on the tour, Luca said. Those between 12 and 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable and safe clothing and footwear, preferably rubber-soled shoes, he added.

''We ask that they be very agile if they're going to take this type of trip.''