Article

Panorama: Incredible location for a lighthouse (Iceland)


published on 7 October 2021 663 -

Original Article by mbl.is / iceland monitor. Photos from Árni Sæberg

THRIDARANGAR LIGHTHOUSE
A photograph taken by Morgunblaðið photographer Árni Sæberg of the Þrídrangaviti lighthouse in 2009 has now become viral thanks to Justin Bieber of all people.

Árni Sæberg is photographer for our sister publication Morgunblaðið (and also takes photos for us at Iceland Monitor). The lighthouse, Þrídrangaviti, is located in the Westman Islands and is located around six miles from the shore. It's quite possibly the most isolated lighthouse in the world and is precariously perched on top of a rock pillar with the wild waves of the cold North Atlantic ocean raging below.

Þrídrangar means "three rock pillars" and the lighthouse was built there in 1939. The lighthouse has also been an inspiration to literature, with best-selling thriller novelist Yrsa Sigurðardóttir using it in her novel "Why did you lie?" This is not the first time that Sigurðardóttir draws inspiration from Sæberg's photos. His photos of the deserted farmhouse in Hesteyri in the remote West Fjords became the setting of her spine chilling ghost story, I remember you, which recently was made into an Icelandic film of the same name.
The strong surf below the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
The strong surf below the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
The strong surf below the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
The strong surf below the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
Sæberg didn't realise until recently that his photo of the lighthouse had been published all around the world for years until his barber showed him the photo on a German website. The barber's daughter also told him that Justin Bieber had been posting the photo on social media.

Sæberg flew with the national coastguard helicopter, TF LÍF to the take the photo of the lighthouse. It's quite incredible how people actually managed to build this lighthouse, just at WW2 began. In 1939 there were no helicopters so people would have had to sail to the cliff and scale it. In an old article in Morgunblaðið, project director Árni G. Þórarinsson says in an interview, "The first thing we had to to was create a road up to the cliff. We got together of experienced mountaineers, all from the Westman Islands. Then we brought drills, hammers, chains and clamps to secure the chains. Once they got near the top there was no way to get any grip on the rock so one of them got down on his knees, the second stood on his back, and then the third climbed on top of the other two and was able to reach the nib of the cliff above. I cannot even tell you how I was feeling whilst witnessing this incredibly dangerous procedure."
Þrídrangar, the three pillars of rock are in fact four pillars named Stóridrangur, Þúfudrangur, Klofadrangur and the fourth one is nameless. In 1938 a road was constructed to Stóridrangur and the following year the lighthouse was raised. Many years later a helipad was set up on Stóridrangur where helicopters can land.
Morgunblaðið/Árni Sæberg
Morgunblaðið/Árni Sæberg
Morgunblaðið/Árni Sæberg
Morgunblaðið/Árni Sæberg
The national coastguard helicopter flying towards the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
The national coastguard helicopter flying towards the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
The national coastguard helicopter flying towards the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
The national coastguard helicopter flying towards the lighthouse. Photograph/ Árni Sæberg
Location of THRIDARANGAR LIGHTHOUSE
Location of THRIDARANGAR LIGHTHOUSE
Location of THRIDARANGAR LIGHTHOUSE
Location of THRIDARANGAR LIGHTHOUSE
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video On the frontline: working at sea amid the COVID-19 crisis

published on 8 February 2021

When the world locked down, Australia’s marine pilots continued bringing ships safely into the nation’s ports to deliver the goods we depend on. Around 6,000 ships visit the ports of NSW each year and meeting them at sea to help them navigate into our ports and harbours are Port Authority’s marine pilots and cutter vessel crews. ••• Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany,...

1

Video VTS in New South Wales: Air Traffic Control of the Sea

published on 30 June 2021

Every airport needs its air traffic control but what about the ships in our seaports? Here’s how Port Authority’s VTS teams keep watch 24/7 to keep shipping safe in New South Wales, Australia. ••• Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle Harbour, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba. With over 6,000 visits from trade and cruise vessels each year, the ports of New South Wales...

0

Video Dunkerque Port: One Day Work

published on 16 November 2021

Port of Dunkerque: A typical working day in the Port of Dunkerque East.
Views of the Port of Dunkerque East and its daily maritime traffic.


Towing: Tugs from Boluda Dunkerque

0

Video Impressions from the EMPA 2022 sponsor hall in Antwerp

published on 29 April 2022

The 56th EMPA General Meeting (27/04/2022 - 29/04/2022) was accompanied by an exhibition in which these companies participated:

0

Article December 2022 edition of The New Zealand Pilot published

published on 3 January 2023

The latest edition of The New Zealand Pilot has been published (link in article).

0

Video GENOA - The new Pilot boat operating in Singapore bay

published on 2 September 2020

Timothy Cosulich introduces to us the new pilot boat that will operate in the Singapore Bay, owned and operated by Fratelli Cosulich.

0

Article An Interview with India’s First female Marine Pilot, Reshma Nilofer

published on 13 March 2023

Marine Pilot, Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi MNI broke the bias and started her career as a trainee pilot in 2011 and she has never looked back.

0

Article Marine pilot Devan Pulliah (TNPA) reminisces on his journey

published on 15 October 2020

As a navy veteran with seven years experience, mainly on strike craft, Devan Pulliah joined Transnet in 1997 to become a tug master in East London before being enrolled in Transnet National Ports Authority’s class of 1999 to help change the future of the maritime industry.

0

Video Life At Sea, Pilot Boarding Ship in Rough Weather

published on 7 February 2020

A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, bar pilot, or simply pilot, is a sailor who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway such as its depth, currents, and hazards.

0

Video Podcast: Jeanine Drummond, Integral Maritime, MD & Principal Marine Advisor

published on 5 November 2021

In this episode, you will be meeting a true leader, an experienced Harbour Master, Master Mariner, Experienced Marine Advisor, General Manager and Non-Executive Director; her name is Captain Jeanine Drummond. We speak about the importance of modern leadership, which is somewhat different from traditional leadership, which has been prevailing in our industry for such a long time. We also speak about the importance of not just trying to blend in but also speaking up to seize the...

1