Dear Editor,
Having read an article in Kaieteur News of Wednesday, May 8, in relation to the Marriott Hotel which reads in part: “It [Marriott] has imposed itself over the Kingston skyline, so much so that those at sea, who so require, are now unable to detect the signal from the lighthouse.” If this report is indeed true then Guyana is treading on dangerous ground. The Georgetown lighthouse is located in its internationally known position of Latitude 6 49.5 N Longitude 58 09.9 W. The light which is 103 feet high is a white/red sectored light revolving every sixty seconds; the visibility is sixteen miles. As it relates to mariners at sea this light must be visible over an unbroken arc, and any blind sector could spell danger and create problems for the mariner. The fact that the light is white /red sectored serves a specific purpose. If a vessel at sea approaching the channel leading to the entrance of the Demerara River from within the north-western quadrant sees only the red sector of the light, that vessel can be deemed to be in the dangerous sector depending on its distance off shore, and must continue on its course until the white sector appears (the safe sector) before it alters course to make its final approach to the outer sea buoy. (Guyana no longer has a Demerara Beacon at the pilot station).
On the other hand, if the vessel is approaching from within the north-eastern quadrant then that vessel must make its final approach to the sea buoy before the red sector becomes visible. It must also be made clear that the lighthouse is not a ‘stand alone’ aid to navigation, but in conjunction with other aids to navigation or conspicuous charted objects which are visible from sea whether by day or night, a ship’s precise position can be determined. I hasten to mention that everyone is aware of GPSs and DGPs which give positions of vessels at sea, but this in no way exonerates a nation state from its obligation to properly maintain its terrestrial aids to navigation, particularly those along its coastline.
I also note in a subsequent edition of Kaieteur News (May 16) it is stated that “according to the source, the lighthouse would not be obsolete since it will still function as a navigational aid for vessels travelling south.” This source, whoever he or she may be, obviously does not know what he/she is talking about. The light from the lighthouse when observed from the south in no way contributes to the safety of navigation; vessels operating south in the Demerara River navigate a narrow channel and do so safely from local knowledge and with the help of survey marks and riverain aids to navigation (if they still exist) and other conspicuous objects.
Again in the Stabroek News of May 16, the Minister of Works is reported to have said “the Lighthouse will still maintain its light and will also carry out its present functions of tracking vessels and maintain[ing] communication with ships as they navigate the port.” Again I do not know who tells these ‘nancy’ stories to the Minister, but the fact is the Lighthouse has never been fitted with any tracking device and certainly does not have the capability of tracking vessels at sea. It is of greater concern to me from a navigational perspective, and it would be a dereliction of duty on my part if I do not point out the consequences of maintaining the revolving light ‘as is’ on the Lighthouse and at the same time placing an “oscillating light” atop of the Marriott Hotel due to their very close proximity. One minute of latitude on a nautical chart is equivalent to one nautical mile (6080 feet). I do not know the exact distance measured in a northerly direction between the Lighthouse and the Marriott Hotel, 600’? 900’? Neither do I know the exact distance measured in an easterly direction, but it’s a lot less than the northerly distance. What I do know, however, is the difference of latitude and the difference of longitude will be mere seconds (of arc). Now ask the mariner to plot these two positions on his general navigation chart, and the two positions will be virtually on top of each other. To have two lights with different characteristics, whether fixed, flashing, occulting or revolving from virtually the same position could result in some amount of uncertainty and confusion to the mariner.
I therefore urge the decision-makers to engage in serious deliberations when deciding what to do with the light on the lighthouse. The lighthouse however will not become obsolete, because as mentioned before, in conjunction with other objects vessels’ precise positions are known, especially by day. What the relevant technical officials ought to do, however, is embark on a programme that will indicate to the mariner whether his vessel is in the safe zone or the danger zone, as the new light will no longer be observed from its original position and might very well be of different characteristics. Of vital importance is Guyana’s obligation to notify the authority which compiles the Admiralty List of lights around the world as soon as changes are made to existing aids to navigation.
This brings me to a very important related point. When the Sparendaam Radio Mast was removed from its position in order to facilitate the construction of buildings, was the authority mentioned above notified so that it could be deleted from the list of lights? It is noted that the 2013 Guyana Tide Tables and List of Lights booklet has this mast as having been demolished, but still gives its position of Latitude 06 49.6 N Longitude 58 06.6 W; its height of 106.9 M and its visibility of 20 miles. If the Radio Mast no longer exists it does not exist.
This missive was written from a strictly professional nautical perspective with the sole purpose of highlighting how the removal of the light from the lighthouse will affect the navigation of vessels; how the lighthouse as a structure and the light thereon serve to assist the mariner to navigate safely when making a landfall; to point out what should be done when the light is placed atop of the Marriott Hotel and very importantly, to clear up some obvious serious misconceptions as to the purpose, use and functions of the Lighthouse. It in no way seeks to delve into areas of political opinions or economic considerations of the Marriott Hotel project.
Yours faithfully,
Captain Rouchie EW Adams