Show me the way to go home
posted by Kerry-Anne
Milnerton Lighthouse (located on Woodbridge Island) was commissioned in 1960 to help ships find their way into Table Bay. Apparently the small stretch of coastline between Green Point and Milnerton has seen more than 150 ships wrecked over the last few centuries - more than any other section of coastline in South Africa.Cape Town's city lights make it difficult for navigators to distinguish the harbour lights, and so this lighthouse, together with those at Green Point and Robben Island, make it a whole lot easier to get into the harbour safely at night. (I can barely parallel park, so I'm rather in awe of those who steer ships, no matter how many lighthouses they have to help them.)
3 Comments:
That's why when you see ships coming into the harbour the tug boat comes along side and a harbour pilot jumps from the tug onto a ladder, and sometimes misses the ladder and falls into the ocean. The harbour pilot then takes the ship into the harbour.
I saw some photos of the harbour pilots in action when visiting the harbour master with the zoopy guys a few months back.
I like the idea of the harbor pilot falling into the ocean. LOL. That step is a big one. I almost did it in the Pacific near Iwo Jima a long time ago.The ship rolled and I found myself under water for a bit. I suspect those harbor pilots who do miss the step find it is due to the rolling of the ship.
I don't know much about light houses but the idea is very old and goes back into ancient times.
Nice post.
I really like the light in the photo! Well taken.
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