Newly developed bearing keeps rotating light
on historical lighthouses

As planned, the rotating light was lit on Lyngvig Lighthouse on 23 December. The bearing has been developed in cooperation between the Nakkehoved Lighthouse Historical Museum, the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Maritime Authority.

06. January 2014

In 2009, an agreement was concluded with the Danish Working Environment Authority to phase out the mercury used as a “floating bearing” on all the lighthouses of the Danish Maritime Authority over a five-year period. On Lyngvig Lighthouse at Hvide Sande on the west coast of Jutland, the mercury was removed in 2011. Back then, a technical solution had not yet been identified to keep the rotating light.

Great local interest in keeping rotating lights on lighthouses
In 2010, a cooperation was launched between the Nakkehoved Lighthouse Historical Museum, the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Maritime Authority with a view to developing a new bearing. The intention was to keep the rotating light and the historical lighting technology on the protected Nakkehoved Lighthouse, while ensuring great reliability and a sensible operating economy.

The newly developed bearing was put into service on Nakkehoved Lighthouse in April 2013, and the design has demonstrated its value. In addition to the added value achieved by removing the mercury, the design has reduced the energy consumption. The rotating light has been kept, while keeping the historical lighting technology intact. The requirements of the Danish Maritime Authority for reliability as well as a sensible operating economy have also been met.

Rotating light on Lyngvig Lighthouse
On the basis of the experience gained from Nakkehoved Lighthouse, work was initiated developing solutions for Lyngvig Lighthouse, Skagen Lighthouse and Blåvandshuk Lighthouse. In November 2013, a new design was ready.

On 18 December 2013, the new bearing was fitted on Lyngvig Lighthouse. The system was tested until 23 December 2013 without any light and, when everything had proven to work as intended, the rotating light was lit on 23 December 2013. This year, the mercury will be removed from Skagen and Blåvandshuk Lighthouses and also here the new bearing system will be implemented in order to keep the rotating light.

Danish Maritime Authority press release