New buoy aims to improve shipping safety

The new buoy was put in position by a specialist Trinity House vessel

A navigational buoy off the Guernsey coast has been replaced to improve safety for shipping in the area.

The new refurbished Lower Heads South Cardinal buoy will help vessels safely avoid rocks south west of Herm, Guernsey Ports said.

The previous buoy was lifted out by a specialist Trinity House vessel and brought back to port, where it will be refurbished ahead of its next use.

It is part of the ongoing refurbishment of the 60 aids to navigation that Guernsey Ports maintains in local waters.

Guernsey Ports technical services manager Mark Rive said: “The current buoy has been removed and brought ashore, where it will be grit blasted by our technical services team, who will then paint and reconfigure it with the light characteristics, colours and top-marks to suit its next location in our waters.

“This ongoing schedule of maintenance means that each of our buoys gets refurbished regularly and we always have one in the workshop being prepared for its next use.”