MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Social media was abuzz on Wednesday morning after the posting of a photograph showing the light on the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse, not operating, against a dark sky.
Upon enquiry, Transet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said the lighthouse "switched off" at approximately 04:15 on 11 March.
"The 24-hour security officer on the premises alerted TNPA's Lighthouse and Navigational Systems (LNS) division, and Mossel Bay Port Control via the security control office at the port.
"The harbour master, Captain Vania Cloete, confirmed that safety of navigation was not affected as daylight broke shortly thereafter," reported David Gordon, executive manager: Lighthouse and Navigational Systems (LNS).
He confirmed that TNPA LNS remains in contact with Captain Cloete. According to Gordon, the primary and secondary lamps have since been replaced and an investigation is currently under way to determine the cause of the secondary lamp not activating as it should when the primary or duty lamp fails, in order to provide a continued source of light.
The lighthouse, which was commissioned on 15 March 1864, flashes twice every 15 seconds at an intensity of 1 350 000 candelas with a range of 25 nautical miles."
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