Final Lighthouse Automations
M.B.McStay, Engineer-in-Chief
The automation of Hook Head and Mew Island Lighthouses were
completed on schedule in early January this year. Following the
usual test period they were both commissioned and the Keepers were
withdrawn at the end of March 1996.
Hook Head Lighthouse has a light, fog signal, and Racon (radar beacon); it is also the monitoring station for the Coningbeg Automated Lightfloat, off the Saltee Islands. The automation equipment in Hook tower has been confined to the top levels, with the exception of the surveillance radar scanner for Coningbeg which is on the first balcony level. The existing engine room was retained to house a standby generator which provides power if the ESB mains supply fails. The station controls, the Coningbeg shore base monitoring equipment, and the surveillance radar console are in the watch room.
It is planned to lease the surplus station dwellings to Hook Heritage Ltd to house a heritage centre which will present the history of the Hook Peninsula and the Lighthouse to the general public.
Mew Island Lighthouse, at the entrance to Belfast Lough, has a light and Racon. The former fog signal and radiobeacon have been discontinued. The automation equipment at the station has been confined to the smallest area possible. This will minimise building maintenance costs and has allowed some surplus buildings to be released to the Copeland Bird Observatory Group which will monitor the bird population on the island.
Baily
The automation of Baily Lighthouse is nearing completion and at the end of March 1997 the Lightkeepers will leave this last remaining watched lighthouse, completing the lighthouse automation programme.
Corlis Point
The increased average age of the world bulk fleet, togther with a heightened awareness of coastal environmental sensitivity, has emphasised the importance of access to safe havens for shelter. The Shannon Estuary is one of the most important such safe havens on the western seaboard of Europe. During the past year a project has been commenced to improve safe access to the Shannon for deep draughted vessels by providing a pair of high performance leading lights. These lights will assist the larger vessels through the relatively narrow deep water entrance channel off Kilcredaun Point.
The project is in the design and equipment procurement phase. Installation of the leading lights at Corlis Point will take place next year.
Blackrock Mayo
Blackrock Lighthouse off the coast of Co. Mayo has one of the last remaining acetylene gas lights on the coast.
This is a unique optic in which the gas not only provides the light but also provides energy to rotate the lenses. It is a delicately balanced mechanism for which spares can no longer be obtained and, sadly, it has reached the end of its operational life. We are planning to re-equip this station with a modern energy-efficient optic, powered by a solar electric system similar to the one which has proved very successful at Rathlin O'Birne. We hope to commence this project next year.
It is our policy to preserve examples of redundant lighthouse equipment for posterity and the Blackrock optic will occupy a special place in our museum.
Wind Powered Stations
The new wind powered generator manufactured by Proven Engineering Products Ltd, Kilmarnock, Scotland installed some time ago at Eeragh has been a success. We have since installed a similar wind powered generator at Straw Island.
We are planning to install a Proven wind generator at Little Samphire Island Lighthouse in Tralee Bay to replace the diesel powered alternators which power the light at present.
Minor Projects
In addition to the major engineering projects, a number of minor projects has been undertaken. Among these have been the solarisation of minor lights formerly illuminated by acetylene. The most recent example was the solarisation of the Larne No. 4 Beacon.
We are currently preparing to convert the Muglins Light, off Dalkey Island - south of the entrance to Dublin Bay, to solar power in the early spring of 1997.
Hook Head Lighthouse has a light, fog signal, and Racon (radar beacon); it is also the monitoring station for the Coningbeg Automated Lightfloat, off the Saltee Islands. The automation equipment in Hook tower has been confined to the top levels, with the exception of the surveillance radar scanner for Coningbeg which is on the first balcony level. The existing engine room was retained to house a standby generator which provides power if the ESB mains supply fails. The station controls, the Coningbeg shore base monitoring equipment, and the surveillance radar console are in the watch room.
It is planned to lease the surplus station dwellings to Hook Heritage Ltd to house a heritage centre which will present the history of the Hook Peninsula and the Lighthouse to the general public.
Mew Island Lighthouse, at the entrance to Belfast Lough, has a light and Racon. The former fog signal and radiobeacon have been discontinued. The automation equipment at the station has been confined to the smallest area possible. This will minimise building maintenance costs and has allowed some surplus buildings to be released to the Copeland Bird Observatory Group which will monitor the bird population on the island.
Baily
The automation of Baily Lighthouse is nearing completion and at the end of March 1997 the Lightkeepers will leave this last remaining watched lighthouse, completing the lighthouse automation programme.
Corlis Point
The increased average age of the world bulk fleet, togther with a heightened awareness of coastal environmental sensitivity, has emphasised the importance of access to safe havens for shelter. The Shannon Estuary is one of the most important such safe havens on the western seaboard of Europe. During the past year a project has been commenced to improve safe access to the Shannon for deep draughted vessels by providing a pair of high performance leading lights. These lights will assist the larger vessels through the relatively narrow deep water entrance channel off Kilcredaun Point.
The project is in the design and equipment procurement phase. Installation of the leading lights at Corlis Point will take place next year.
Blackrock Mayo
Blackrock Lighthouse off the coast of Co. Mayo has one of the last remaining acetylene gas lights on the coast.
This is a unique optic in which the gas not only provides the light but also provides energy to rotate the lenses. It is a delicately balanced mechanism for which spares can no longer be obtained and, sadly, it has reached the end of its operational life. We are planning to re-equip this station with a modern energy-efficient optic, powered by a solar electric system similar to the one which has proved very successful at Rathlin O'Birne. We hope to commence this project next year.
It is our policy to preserve examples of redundant lighthouse equipment for posterity and the Blackrock optic will occupy a special place in our museum.
Wind Powered Stations
The new wind powered generator manufactured by Proven Engineering Products Ltd, Kilmarnock, Scotland installed some time ago at Eeragh has been a success. We have since installed a similar wind powered generator at Straw Island.
We are planning to install a Proven wind generator at Little Samphire Island Lighthouse in Tralee Bay to replace the diesel powered alternators which power the light at present.
Minor Projects
In addition to the major engineering projects, a number of minor projects has been undertaken. Among these have been the solarisation of minor lights formerly illuminated by acetylene. The most recent example was the solarisation of the Larne No. 4 Beacon.
We are currently preparing to convert the Muglins Light, off Dalkey Island - south of the entrance to Dublin Bay, to solar power in the early spring of 1997.