Creal Reef Light, Solar-powered lighthouse in Queensland, Australia
Creal Reef Light is a solar-powered lighthouse standing on a shallow reef east of Mackay in Queensland. The structure consists of a tall steel skeletal tower mounted on a concrete foundation, rising about 35 meters above the water.
The structure came into operation in 1985 to help guide vessels through Hydrographers Passage, a deep shipping channel leading from Mackay. This installation marked an important addition to navigation safety in the Coral Sea.
The reef takes its name from Denis A. J. Creal, a pilot who helped with surveying work in the area during the late 1920s. Locals and mariners know it as an important marker in the seascape, representing the human effort to map and navigate these waters.
The light flashes white every 7.5 seconds and can be seen from far across the water, making it useful for navigation even in rough conditions. The system runs automatically without needing anyone on site, powered entirely by the sun.
The installation includes an automatic weather monitoring system that constantly gathers data about sea conditions. It also transmits a coded radio signal that ships can use to determine their distance from the lighthouse.
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