Celebrate the first World Marine Aids to Navigation Day with a full program of activities that also includes conferences and free entrance of its exhibition Exponav.

Ferrol, 17th June, 2019

The Port Authority of Ferrol-San Cibrao manages, controls and maintains 155 maritime navigation aids. Deployed between the rias of Ares and Ribadeo, this complex system is essential for the correct guidance of boats. It consists of 9 lighthouses and 146 signs, including leading lines, towers, turrets, poles, buoys and other kinds of beacons.

 

In order to highlight the importance of these elements, the first World Marine Aids Navigation Day will be held on 1st July. The main event celebrated at an international level will take place in Mallorca under the coordination of Spain’s State Ports Authority. Additionally, the Port Authority of Ferrol-San Cibrao has decided to join this initiative with a full program of activities.

 

On Saturday, 29th June

The institution presided by José Manuel Vilariño will open the lighthouse of Estaca de Bares to the public (municipality of Mañón). This lighthouse has the greatest reach (25 nautical miles, 46.3 kilometers) of all those that the Port Authority has at their disposal. People who want to know the inside of this building and its operation may do so for free, accompanied by a guide and with prior reservation. In 25 minute sessions, there will be visits at 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00 and 14.30.  The hundred available places will be assigned in order of request.

On the same Saturday and also without additional cost for passengers, the Port Authority will organize a boat trip of the ria of Ferrol for the public to see the different types of maritime signs both night and day that are present in the area: buoys, leading lines, lighthouses, turrets, etc.  Starting at the inner port at 10 pm, this tour will conclude around 11.30 pm. Likewise, the hundred available places will be assigned in order of request.

How to participate? Both for the visit to the lighthouse and for the boat trip around the ria, just send an email to prensa@apfsc.es indicating the name and surname of the visitor, as well as their age and ID, and, where appropriate, the data of accompanying visitors. Likewise, we will accept applications by mobile in the phone number 608 001 146, from Monday to Thursday, from 11 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm.

As early as 1st July, the Port Authority will host a conference on maritime signals in the exhibition hall Carlos III of Exponav (Ferrol). From 11.15 o’clock, speakers at the conference include the coordinator of Maritime Security of the Maritime Captaincy of Ferrol, Domingo Pose Edrera; the executive director of the company Mediterráneo Señales Marítimas, Antonio Martínez Tanco, and the person in charge of Aid Systems for Navigation of the Port Authority, Ignacio Fernández Fernández.

In addition, the Port Authority will organize an open day event at the permanent exhibition of lighthouses and maritime signs hosted by Museum of Naval Construction, in the Building of Herrerías in Ferrol on the same Monday. In 25-minute sessions, there will be free guided tours at 10.00, 10.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00 and 14.30. For this event, no prior reservation is required.

This sample includes pieces from Spain’s State Ports Authority and pieces rehabilitated by the Port Authority. These include the old Estaca de Bares optics equipment (1850-1962) and a channel buoy with a diameter of 2 meters and a height of 9.5 meters.