Faulty fog sensor causes incessant noise near Land’s End, disrupting sleep. Repair delayed, locals advised to use earplugs.
Locals were told to maybe get some earplugs. Fixing it might take a little while longer, unfortunately. The National Coastwatch mentioned it on Facebook. They alerted HM Coastguard in Falmouth. The Coastguard then told Trinity House about the constant noise.
Trinity House knows about the problem. They’re waiting for a new part to arrive. Once they get it, workers need calm weather. Then, they can finally go out and fix the foghorn. So, yeah, earplugs for now seems wise.
Someone on Facebook asked about an off switch. They wondered if the horn could be turned off remotely. Dan Chappell explained why there isn’t one. The system is designed this way for safety at sea. Turning it off defeats the purpose.
Maintenance crews usually check it twice a year. They go for two weeks at a time for tasks. They also visit if something breaks. Weather always affects these trips.
Trinity House built the lighthouse back in 1875. It replaced an older tower that stood nearby on some rocks. They’re a charity that helps sailors. They’re the biggest maritime charity in the UK.
They added a helipad to the lighthouse in 1974. This made access easier for the crews. It became automated in 1988. Now, it is monitored from Harwich. The light switched to solar in 2005. It flashes twice every ten seconds.