Maintenance Inspection of Cape Otway Lighthouse
Introduction
Vertigo Specialist High Access Services (Vertigo) were engaged by Parks Victoria to carry out a maintenance inspection to the fabric of the Cape Otway Lighthouse.
The structure, completed in 1848, is a listed heritage building and it is considered the oldest surviving officially built lighthouse on the Australian mainland.
The lighthouse comprises a copper sheeted dome lantern house above a circular section coated sandstone tower and is located in an exposed cliff top marine environment subject to elevated wind speeds and salt aerosol deposits.
This condition survey of the structure was commissioned to determine the extent and possible causes of a number of maintenance issues and to recommend suitable remedial options.
The site inspection works were performed using industrial rope access methods in September 2002 and included visual inspection of both external and internal elements of the lighthouse.
Scope of Work
A visual inspection of the lighthouse elements was performed to determine maintenance requirements and appropriate remedial measures where required with particular attention to external coatings, water ingress to the interior, the lightening protection system integrity and corrosion issues.
The findings from the site survey were compiled into a report that prioritized maintenance requirements.
Outcome
Vertigo successfully completed the condition survey and a report was issued reviewing in detail various maintenance issues and listed remedial options to address these issues.