Vypin lighthouse







Cochin port in the back waters formed by the Periyar river estuary providing a natural harbour site capable of affording shelter to a number of large vessels has been an important trading centre since the 16th century. Mr RC Bristow, Harbour Engineer-in-Chief, prepared a four stage plan in 1935 for Expansion, Development and Modernisation of Cochin port.

There is regular passenger cum cargo ship service from Cochin port to different islands in Lakshadweep. Cochin is the base of Indian Navy’s Southern Command. The Cochin Shipyard built its first vessel ‘Rani Padmini’ (85 kt) and sailed it here in 1984.

The first Lighthouse was provided in 1839 at Fort Cochin. It was a masonry column constructed at a site south of the entrance to port. The light source was an oil wick lamp inside 6th order optic with fixed character. The system worked for 63 years when in 1902 it was improved by inducting a new lantern and an optic. In 1914 a 4th order cut and polished optic and occulting mechanism replaced the earlier equipment. A new 10 m high column was constructed in 1920. It was painted in two white and one black band. The same lighthouse equipment was shifted onto this new column.

Specifications

Flash every 20 second, 46 m high Circular Ribbed Double shell RCC Tower (Red and White bands), a range of 28 Nautical Miles, 375 mm 3rd order 4 Panels Resolving optic inside 2.4 m diameter Lantern house, Cluster of four 150 W, 230 V Metal Halide Lamps, Mains supply 440 V, 50 Hz (Standby Genset provided).

Visit Timings : 3 to 5 pm. No Photography.

The Lighthouse is situated on Vypin Island opposite Kochi at Puthuvaipe, Ph: 0484-2502443. Few Bus service direct to the lighthouse from the High Court bus stop. Otherwise one has to get down at Puthuvype stop and walk 1.5 km to the lighthouse at the beach.