Public Works and Water Management started replacing the radar sensor at the Noordertoren of Schiermonnikoog at the end of September 2025. The current installation was at the end of its lifespan. With the new sensor, radar coverage in the Wadden Sea remains reliable, and the Coast Guard can continue to monitor safety at sea effectively.
This is the first step in replacing all radar sensors on the lighthouses of the Wadden Islands.
Why this replacement?
The radar sensors on the Wadden Islands are indispensable for maritime safety. They enable traffic posts to safely guide shipping traffic on busy routes in the North Sea and Wadden Sea. As the existing installations age, we will install new, modern sensors on the lighthouses of the Wadden Islands in the coming years.
How was this done?
The old radar installation at the Noordertoren of Schiermonnikoog has been removed and replaced with a new sensor. The work is being carried out by Equans Infra & Energie, which is executing the project on behalf of Public Works and Water Management. During the hoisting of the installation, the Vuurtorenpad was temporarily closed, and some homes were temporarily inaccessible by car.
Beach visitors were also briefly redirected during the work. The work did not affect the operations of our traffic leaders, as safety at sea was maintained. A ship with radar provided temporary coverage during the replacement.
The final work will be completed in the coming days. On Monday, September 22, and Tuesday, September 23, the scaffolding was dismantled. From the following week, the new sensor will provide the radar image for the traffic posts.
Follow-up on other islands
With Schiermonnikoog, the project Replacement of radar sensors on Wadden Sea lighthouses has been launched. In the coming years, the sensors on Ameland, Texel, and Terschelling will also be renewed. Since this is customized work and multiple parties are involved, not everything can be executed simultaneously.
For example, consideration must be given to the weather and the time needed for the preparation of the work per island. Furthermore, the work is planned outside the breeding season and storm season to increase the chances of good working weather and to minimize the disruption for birds, tourists, and residents.
The planning for the other islands is as follows:
- Ameland: scheduled for April 2026
- Texel: scheduled for September 2026
- Terschelling: scheduled for April 2027 (subject to renovation work on the lighthouse)
