The maritime Lynx helicopter from the guard ship, HNLMS Van Amstel, delivered three transformers on top of Mount Scenery on Saturday, Saba. The Mount Scenery with its 877 meters, is the highest point of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With this delivery, an important step was made towards putting the radio tower back into service.
The re-use of the tower was already established in December 2009. To this end a contract was signed on top of Mount Scenery by Guusje ter Horst, former Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and the Governor of Saba, Jonathan Johnson.
Radio tower
Thanks to this radio tower, emergency services are able to communicate better, are more accessible and more responsive. It provides a significant contribution to safety on the island. The restoration of this tower is also an important step towards the joint commissioning of the control room. This is part of the transition process of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba in becoming public bodies of the Netherlands.
Waiting for transportation
The authorities of Saba asked HNLMS Van Amstel, now sailing for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, in early November if they could fly the transformers to the top of the mountain. The crew then conducted several surveys by helicopter as well as on foot and drew up a plan, which could be put into action as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
The transformers, each weighing 180 pounds, have been waiting for a long time for transportation by air. Transportation through the narrow and slippery path which was almost always hidden under a thick cloud, proved impossible. Several of the guard ships have tried to transport the transformers, but to different circumstances, this was not possible. Not until last Saturday.