Friday, March 23, 2007

Visual aids to navigation

Lighthouse "Sra. da Agonia" (Oc.R.6s33m23M). On the western side, the church with the same name.

Lighthouse "Castelo de Santiago" (Iso.R.4s15m23M). Positioned inside the castle with the same name (built in the XVI Century).


These two lighthouses form a navigational leading light which marks the old port entrance on a 012º.5 bearing. Due to the new harbour entrance configuration (after the construction of the two main breakwaters), this leading light serves the Viana Yard basin entrance as well as the old commercial docks.

Although nowadays most ships are equipped with high-tec navigation instruments like DP, DGPS, AIS, ECDIS, PPU plugs and so on, on restricted areas the visual aids are still the best way to easily and accurately determine whether you are on or off track, if drifting is taking place and if the speed is adequate.

2 comments:

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!... «LUX TUA NOS DUCAT»!!!

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!

Luis Daniel Vale said...

Thanks, and fair winds for your sailing down to Cascais bay!