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The Western Scheldt is the approach to ports like Antwerp, Ghent and Flushing. The sealanes to the Western Scheldt have a very tricky character. This implicates that mates, chiefs and captains of vessels which have to make a port call to one of these ports, have to be very steady.

In order to prevent accidents, a lot of navigational aids were constructed. These two 'lighthouses' in the sand dunes of the peninsula Walcheren, Zeeland, The Netherlands, act as such a navigational aid. During the night a light source in both of those two towers is emitting a continuous light. The helsman has to navigate his vessel coastwise in such a way that the upper light shall be seen straight under the lower light. The ship will so be guided through some dangerous areas. At day time nearly the same procedure can be used as the helmsman has to bring the lower tower optically under the upper tower. It can be even done on radar. I don't give you this explanation to prevent that I'm busy with writing a nautical handbook (lol).

The towers are called 'Lichtlijn' Kaapduin (lightline at Kaapduin) by nautical people. Once in the neighbourhood of Flushing a pilot will take over the navigation, but not the command, of the vessel. The captain stays responsible.

Hope you'll enjoy this image. Thank you in advance for any comment.