Nicobar group of Islands were formally brought under British control on 16th April 1869 and the Govt Agent under the Chief Commissioner, Port Blair, was posted at Carnicobar Island. It is now the head quarters of Nicbar district.
Car Nicobar Island is visited regularly by inter island vessels and once in a month by vessel of Port Blair-Chennai (Madars)-Port Blair passenger service. The island is almost circular and is covered mainly with coconut palms. The vessels anchor in Sawai Bay on North West of the island during fair season and on Eastern side at Malacca anchorage during monsoons .The jetties have been provided at both shores for boats.
Keating point lighthouse is situated on northern tip of the island. It is about ten km north east from Sawai bay and is connected by an asphalt road. A transport could be arranged by the shipping Agents. Earlier to the present lighthouse a trestle tower was provided on Sawai Bay coast to observe the vessels and hoisting the flag and wick lamp.
The Cast Iron Lighthouse tower was erected at Keating point in 1969 and a PV Light inside the first order optic was commissioned on 10th December 1969. The tower and equipments were supplied by M/s B.B.T, Paris. Subsequently Radio Beacon (Nautel, Canada) was installed at the station which was put on the air on 19th June 1982 .The Racon with code ‘O’ was added on 25th February 1985. The main light source was replaced by 230V 400W Metal Halide lamp on 30th March 1993.
The DGPS equipment manufactured by M/s Leica Geo Systems, USA, was supplied and installed by M/s Elcom Marine, Mumbai on 28th December 1998 discontinuing the Radio Beacon signals. It was formally inaugurated by the Lt. Governor of A & N Islands, Mr Ishwari Prasad on 24th April 1999. |
