Mad About The Buoy

All washed up… Pic: Patrick Neary WEDS11DEC24

s you approached the end of the North Beach, from a distance, it was almost as though the apocalyptic warning in 1968’s Planet Of The Apes had actually come true.

Albeit with a bobbing Howth sea marker rather than the statue of liberty torch.

Having washed up on our shores after Storm Darragh had its wicked way with us last weekend, the cardinal buoy rode a remarkable 8km through the rough Irish Sea to park itself in Greystones.

For almost a week, like an Iron Giant, it lay blinking away, letting any boats or ship near Howth which way to go.

And now, its parent, Irish Lights, have sent their ship, The Granuaile, to bring their baby home, so this Bennet Bank stray can repaired, reconfigured and repositioned.

In a statement, the Commissioners of Irish Lights said the missing buoy is part of their extensive network of over 300 general marine aids to navigation, which ensure safe passage for vessels around the Irish coastline, north and south.

This lad was located in Dublin Bay, north of the Kish Lighthouse, playing a vital role in marking hazards and guiding maritime traffic coming into Dublin Port.

Thanks to its Automatic Identification System that allowed it be tracked as it moved, the Irish Lights gang were soon on their way, deploying a temporary replacement at Bennet Bank until the original was given the all-clear at the Irish Lights facilities in Dun Laoghaire.

In the meantime, the bould Bill Malone caught that rescue by The Granuaile on Thursday…