On July 25, 2008, the Coast Guard announced that Ambrose Light, which was severely damaged when a tanker struck it on November 3, 2007, would be dismantled.

The original light station was put into operation on August 23, 1967, replacing the obsolete Lightship Ambrose, and cost $2.4 million.

The roof of the platform served as a flight deck for helicopters, the main mode of transport to the station for crew rotations.

On a clear night in October 1996 the 754-foot (230 m) Greek oil tanker Aegeo struck the tower, causing severe damage.

Three years later, in September 1999 after repairs were deemed insufficient, the old structure was razed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and replaced with a new tower.

The tower carried NOAA's National Data Buoy Center automated weather station ALSN6, which was of interest to scuba divers, fishermen, and other small craft users.