For centuries, the English Channel has been regarded as the world's busiest seaway, with ships from many countries making their way between Northern Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. This major maritime activity comes to a sharp focus at the narrowest point between Dover and Calais where England and France are separated by only fourteen miles of sea. For many years, a system of lanes has been in operation to reduce the risk of collision amongst the high density of shipping, but to make the congestion worse, the growth of passenger ferries criss-crossing the narrow stretch of water has heightened the need for maximum use of aids to navigation. Passengers on a ferry crossing the Channel today can see a variety of lighthouses. Dover harbour is a very busy place, every day transporting thousands of tourists, business travellers and commercial trucks between two members of the European Community.
Ferries arrive and depart with remarkable frequency.
Three small harbour lighthouses add to their safe transit. A lighthouse known as the Knuckle is closest in the above photograph. It is a white round tower, showing four flashes, white and red in sectors, every 10 seconds at a height of 15 metres. Further along the wall, known as the southern breakwater and on the western head, is a second round white lighthouse that shows an occulting red light every 30 seconds at a height of 21 metres. The light is visible for 18 miles.