Changing the light on Coquet Lighthouse
You might have seen a large ship moored off Amble recently, and a helicopter moving equipment onto Coquet Island. This is in preparation for work to upgrade the lighting on Coquet Lighthouse, which will include replacing the main light with an LED lamp.
The Trinity House helicopter known as the ‘Squirrel’ was used to transport equipment in preparation to upgrade the electrics on Coquet Island Lighthouse. Photo Steven Banks
The work is estimated to take a year, and teams have been bringing in equipment, water and fuel, with Trinity House Vessel Galatea providing sea and heavy lift helicopter support. Amble’s Puffin Cruises will also be involved in transferring people and equipment.
Galatea has also been laying buoys around the island, ahead of the main light being switched off and a temporary beacon installed on the island. From the shore, we will see a flashing white light instead of the usual red light. At the same time, a temporary foghorn will be installed.
Trinity House Vessel Galatea. Photo Steven Banks
Steven Banks from Puffin Cruises told The Ambler “The Coquet Lighthouse was last modernised in 2006; the new project will see the old traditional sweeping light of Coquet Island replaced with a new low maintenance LED light.
“The Trinity House Vessel Galatea has been here this last week laying temporary buoys around the island in preparation for the main light being replaced. They have also had the heavy lift helicopter known as the ‘squirrel’ flying from their decks lifting the new heavy equipment onto the island so a team of engineers can begin the first phase of the project.
Unloading equipment on Coquet Island. Photo Steven Banks
“There will be Trinity House personnel living out on the lighthouse over the next year to complete the project. Puffin Cruises will be on hand to transfer personnel and equipment to and from the island and ship as and when required.”
Temporary bouy at the Pan Bush rocks off Coquet Island. Photo Paul Morrison
Martin Hamilton, Captain of THV Galatea told The Ambler, “While in the North East we took the opportunity to deliver fuel and water to Longstone Lighthouse and carried out the annual statutory checks on all the other lighthouses and buoys in the area. It was a very busy but successful visit, and as the statutory authority for lighthouses our core purpose is the safety of the mariner, so we’re proud to support such important projects for the community and the wider maritime industry.”
Anna Williams
They are taking so long to make sure they don’t coquet up.