Oliver Jones of ElectPro restoring the airport light on Signal Hill.
ST. EUSTATIUS--As the island continues to rebuild following hurricanes Irma and Maria in September, one project to ensure the safety of airplanes and passengers travelling to and from St. Eustatius has been completed.
Management of F.D. Roosevelt Airport contracted Oliver Jones of ElectPro to restore a number of safety lights that had been damaged by the storms or had not been working for some time already.
The red lights can now be seen flashing on Signal Hill, Gilboa Hill and on The Quill. They are powered by solar panels with a battery pack to store energy during the day, which powers the lights from sunset to sunrise.
While some of the batteries were still functioning, one had to be replaced. This entailed carrying the replacement battery up the steep slopes of The Quill crater to Panorama Point, which overlooks the Airport and the runway.
The refurbishment of the lights means that aircraft can now safely use the runway after sunset. Additional lights may be installed in other locations in the future.
