Residents living near the waterfront in Prince Edward Island’s capital city might have been awoken by the sound of loud foghorns on Thursday morning. Three cruise ships – the Majestic Princess, Brilliance of the Seas, and Volendam – were set to dock in Charlottetown Harbour. However, unusually dense fog made the port particularly noisy as the ships approached.
According to Mike Cochrane, the CEO of the Charlottetown Port Authority, foghorns play a crucial role similar to that of a lighthouse. They were being used in this instance to alert other vessels of the cruise ships’ arrival, allowing them time to steer clear.
Cochrane mentioned to CBC News, “I hope the city of Charlottetown wasn’t disturbed by the foghorns this morning. If so, we apologize. However, ensuring the safety of our crew, passengers, ships, and the professionalism of our guiding pilots was paramount.”
When large ships approach the island, a pilot, known as a master mariner, boards the vessel off the coast of P.E.I. The pilot then assists the captain in navigating into port using their local expertise. The fog that morning was described by Cochrane as one of the thickest he had ever witnessed in the harbor, with the ships only becoming visible when they were within a few meters of the dock.
Despite advancements in navigation technologies, Cochrane emphasized the continued importance of audible signals like foghorns for safety. He highlighted that not all boats may have access to such technology, making it essential to keep all vessels informed of their surroundings.
Overall, the foghorn usage was essential for ensuring safe navigation despite the challenging weather conditions.
