El Puerto

To commemorate the centenary of the activation of the Ons lighthouse lantern this year, the Port Authority has just published an extensive research work on the history of maritime signals in the Pontevedra Estuary, entitled “Red to Port: History of the Lights of the Pontevedra Estuary.” For the first time, the details and history of each of the signals that aid navigation in the estuary are compiled in a single book, from the Ons and Tambo lighthouses to the small lights on the docks of the various ports from Aldán to O Grove, including the beacon towers that guide safe channels for maritime routes within the estuary. The authors of this book are Enrique Abati, who was first a lighthouse keeper and then Head of the Maritime Signaling Service of the Port Authority until his recent retirement, and María Eyo, Head of the Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility Division of the Port Authority. Last year, they also authored another publication on heritage: “Ons, the Memory of the Lighthouse,” which presents an inventory of historical artifacts related to maritime signaling and safety. With “Red to Port: History of the Lights of the Pontevedra Estuary,” the Port Authority reaffirms its commitment to disseminating cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, and takes another step in its commitment to its social contribution to the surrounding area and to the Port-City relationship. Jose Benito Suárez Costa, president of the Port Authority, stated that this entity “is fully aware of the role it plays in the field of corporate social responsibility and social contribution,” so that valuing the cultural heritage linked to the sea “is a valuable legacy that we can leave for current and future generations.” Suárez Costa congratulated the authors “for the meticulous research work carried out, which reveals not only technical data but also anecdotes and many of the secrets held by the maritime signals throughout the estuary, on whose existence, maintenance, and operation the safety of many people who navigate it for various reasons depends.” The president of the Port Authority highlighted the importance of the publication of this work “right at the beginning of this year, 2026, which marks the centenary of our beloved Ons lighthouse.” “By that date, the lighthouse will have flashed 263 million times and will have been manned by nearly 60 lighthouse keepers from various parts of Spain,” added Suárez Costa. The president wanted to reiterate that the port's commitment to maritime signaling “is a constant in the history of this Port Authority and is not just a matter of history; today we continue to carry out very important renovation work on these unique structures, such as the work we are going to undertake on the Camoucos beacon towers and Mourisca.” As it did with the previous publication, the Port Authority plans to distribute the book “Red to Port: History of the Lights of the Pontevedra Estuary” to libraries, archives, and maritime museums with the aim of sharing and contributing to the dissemination of the historical memory and cultural heritage linked to the Port of Marín.