Lighthouses of Australia Inc. Bulletin

Creal Reef light shares its lonely vigil with an automatic weather station.
It is one of several around the Australian coastline from which the Bureau of Meteorology receives constant updates of weather conditions in the area.

by Michael Pitcher, former employee Commonwealth Lighthouse Service.
All photographers by Mike Pitcher.

Two years had passed since positions to establish light beacons along the deep water channel known as Hydrographer's Passage had been located and marked by the combined efforts of Australian naval hydrographers aboard HMAS Flinders and the crew of the Navigational Aids (Navaids) vessel, MV Cape Moreton.

An array of solar panels such as seen here is the source of power to each of these towers. Our O.S. (Ordinary seaman) Chalky White assists the electrician with the installation.

When in operation these lights would ensure the safe passage of shipping from the Coral Sea to the huge coal terminals along the central Queensland coast near Mackay. During that time beacons had been constructed by John Holland and Walkers Ltd. of Mackay. These large constructions were cleverly prefabricated and towed out in sections from the mainland on barges to their respective positions along the Passage. This operation being a story in itself, is well covered in the book 'Coral Gateway' by Captain John C.H. Foley.

Col Gladstone on the right, the technician from the Navaids branch of the Department of Transport Brisbane, supervises the installation of the lens on White Tip Reef Front lead tower.
The lantern house from which its beam will soon shine will be erected around it, once the optics are in place.

I was an AIB on the Navaids tender, MV Cape Moreton on this first day of March 1985 as we anchored just after noon near to White Tip Reef. We were there to assist and facilitate the technicians of the Navaids Branch of the Department of Transport, Brisbane, to establish the lantern room, optical equipment and power assembly for lights on the new towers at White Tip Reef front and rear leads, Little Bugatti Reef and Creal Reef.

The project would keep us occupied until the 10 April 1985 during which time work was hampered by strong winds and rain resulting from Cyclone Tania to the north of Cairns. Everything we required to establish these lights from the lantern room, dioptric lens, solar arrays, storage batteries, power generator, welding equipment, miles of electrical cable and conduit was safely stowed aboard the Cape Moreton. Every item of this equipment was needed to be transferred from the ship by LARC or workboat to the beacon. From the boat it was required to be lifted some five metres to the concrete platform above.

One of two very strong wooden work boats built by Norm Wright of Brisbane.
This one was used to carry a generator, seen here secured in the waist of the boat to supply power for chain blocks, welding and other equipment requiring electrical power. The cable is clearly visible.

Much of the heaviest, most fragile and expensive equipment was then needed to be raised from the platform to the summit of the beacon which in the case of White Tip Rear is some 40 metres and reputed to be the highest structure of its kind in the country built from sea level.

Electrically powered chain blocks suspended from overhead gantries were used to make these lifts. The power for these chain blocks, welding equipment etc.. came from a large portable generator secured in the waist of one of the ship's two workboats and anchored just off the beacon, in the crystal clear, shallow water of the reef. Long ropes were required to restrain this valuable cargo as it was slowly hoisted up the outside of the lattice tower in weather conditions which were not always entirely favourable. Team work was essential and time went quickly in the knowledge of the importance, both historical and prestigious, of the work we were undertaking.

While work was proceeding high above to install the optical equipment, specialist electricians were setting up the huge lead, acid batteries, far below, which would, ultimately, supply power to the light. From the array of solar panels which line the outside of one wall of the battery room a confusion of coloured wires disappear inside to be tidily conveyed to the great bank of assorted batteries which would store the sun's power. From the batteries a further conglomerate of electric wiring feeds into the control box with its various dials, gauges and stop & go buttons. This, then, is the heart and soul of these great towers from the summit of which, beams of safety sweep out each night to direct mariners safely to their destination.

As each light was established it became necessary to determine the accuracy of the light over the various sectors it would cast its beam. These sector checks were carried out from the source, in this case the lens itself and also at night on approach from seaward as the beam of light would be observed by the officer of the watch from the bridge of his ship to a distance in excess of twenty miles. These checks were the responsibility of Captain Bernie Partridge, Master of the MV Cape Moreton.

Creal Reef shares its lonely outpost with an automatic weather station of which there are several around the coast of Australia.

On occasions during our sojourn at Hydrographer's Passage we were pleased to watch several bulk carriers transit the channel during the hours of daylight. Soon our work would be done and these same great ships would be using the Passage both day and night. It was work to take pride in.