Durban’s Tower finally lights up

Terry Hutson THE LIGHTS on Durban’s Millennium Tower were switched on last week following delays in the completion of what is intended as a showpiece of the port and city. Although the most important function of the tower, the port control centre, is fully operational, other more decorative aspects of the R7 million plus building have been delayed due to unexpected problems. The gearing that is supposed to turn the giant cowl on the tower, which dominates the skyline above the Bluff facing the port entrance, doesn’t work as it should and other teething problems have developed, becoming in the process something of an embarrassment to the NPA. But the cowl is designed also to be brightly lit at night, making it visible for miles around, and it is the first of these lights that was switched on. Ultimately the cowl will be lit a bright green at night when the entrance is open to vessels entering, and red when ships are sailing from the port. At other times a purple light will shroud the cowl. FTW understands that the delayed tower will be completed in time for the prestigious IAPH Conference (International Association of Ports and Harbours) in late May. Meanwhile an underwater explosion last week (Friday, 17 January) broke the anti-submarine caisson in the port entrance into several sections. A contractor, Propshine, has been asked to remove the first of four caissons which are regarded as a navigational obstruction.