Cape Naturaliste lighthouse dark for essential repairs

The Cape Naturaliste lighthouse has been shut down for precautionary repairs. The need for the shutdown was discovered during a recent inspection when an issue was identified within the lens pedestal turntable. The lighthouse, managed and maintained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, has been in operation since 1903 and was converted to automated operation in 1978. An AMSA spokesperson said it was using both in-house expertise and local specialists to make repairs to the rotational mechanism. As the lighthouse is not turning, the windows surrounding the beacon have been shrouded with heavy cloth to prevent bus fires that could be caused by sunlight being focused and magnified through the static Fresnel lens, according to the authority. AMSA has already issued a warning to mariners through AusCoast, and it will install a temporary light while repairs are being undertaken. The temporary light will restore the facility’s functionality to aid navigation. Once the temporary light is in place, AMSA will cancel the AusCoast warning and notify mariners of any changes to the light’s character and range. The lighthouse is still open for tours.