The purpose of a mysterious vessel which has been spotted in the county’s waters has been revealed.
Beachgoers were baffled when a large unidentified craft was seen being pulled westwards by tugs near Shoreham on Thursday, August 11.
The Argus confirmed then that it was a jack-up barge which is now berthed at Shoreham Port.
The jack-up rig is known as the Haven Seachallenger.
Its rigs are used for marine construction operations and can also be used to allow work to be carried out at offshore windfarms or oil and gas rigs.
The four legs can be lowered and anchored into the seabed while the platform can raise up or down.
A spokeswoman for Shoreham Port told The Argus that the barge will be used in the the demolition of the decommissioned Royal Sovereign Lighthouse off the coast of Eastbourne.
It was first brought into operation in September 1971, but will be removed due to its structural condition.
In its absence, Beachy Head Lighthouse is due to be upgraded to ensure the safety of passing vessels.
When it was announced last year, the deputy master captain of Trinity House, the official authority for lighthouses in England and Wales, said: "It is never an easy decision to discontinue and even remove such a prominent aid to navigation but our first priority will always be the safety of the mariner.
"Now that Royal Sovereign Lighthouse has reached the end of its serviceable life, it is time for us to take steps to ensure that the lighthouse itself does not become a hazard."
The spokeswoman for Shoreham Port added: “Shoreham Port’s terminals will be used by the project team and, as sections of the lighthouse are dismantled and loaded off the barges at one of the port’s terminals.
“The project is being carried out by main contractor Herbosch-Kiere Marine Contractors Ltd.
"The project is expected to take place in multiple phases over 2023 and 2024. The works will take place in the port’s operational areas and are not expected to cause disruption.”
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