By Bob Hopkin

The National Ports Authority‘s Lighthouse Service has decided to convert unused space in the Cape St Blaize lighthouse in Mossel Bay and the adjacent property into tourist accommodation and a spectacular coffee shop.

The lighthouse, in a commanding position overlooking the harbour, surfing and fishing beaches, has been a landmark in the town since it was constructed in 1864.

Originally intended to act as a source of visual and audible warnings for vessels close to the coast, changes in technology have meant that it now needs less maintenance, and so less accommodation for staff.

In its early days the lighthouse was manned fulltime, with three shifts of lighthouse officers needed to replenish the oil-fired burner for the light and to trim the wick.

With the conversion to electricity in 1933, maintenance needs reduced.

This year the installation of a more powerful and economical fluorescent globe meant that only one full-time officer was needed to staff the facility.

The Lighthouse Service said it had reviewed the accommodation that had been freed up and was going to refurbish it and make it available for visitors.

Although a guesthouse some 300m away on ports authority (NPA) property has been available to rent for some time, the new initiative will add two more guesthouses – one in the lighthouse building itself and another in a building about 30m away.

Both will have outstanding views of the harbour, the bay and the Outeniqua Mountains in the distance.

In addition, a coffee shop will be constructed that will have arguably some of the best views in the Southern Cape.

It will be located at the base of the tower on the cliff edge with 300° views of the surroundings, as well as views down the cliff face where hammerhead sharks can often be seen swimming off the rocks.

St Blaize lighthouse officer Eddie Crafford said he was excited about the prospects for the future.

“We put all the changes out to tender last week and expect to see work starting in early 2008.

“The accommodation will be administered by NPA staff but the coffee shop will be privately owned,” he said.

Crafford said the lighthouse was already open for interested visitors, but most especially for those with a head for heights.

“We charge R15 a head to look around, but sometimes guests don‘t make it to the top of the tower if vertigo sets in before they reach the top of the 52 steps,” he said.

The Herald