The Danish Nature Agency recommends that Ringkøbing Fjord Museums close Lyngvig Fyr with immediate effect

September 11, 2024

Blåvandshuk Nature Agency has recommended that Ringkøbing Fjord Museums close public access to Lyngvig Fyr with immediate effect. The recommendation comes after a new external inspection of the building's condition - even though the final report is not yet complete.

Every year, thousands of guests experience the beautiful view from the top of Lyngvig Fyr. But that opportunity has just been put on hold, as Lyngvig Fyr closes from today, September 11. The reason for this is the preliminary feedback from an external consulting engineering company that has inspected the structural condition of the lighthouse. Although the inspection report is not yet finalized, the conclusion at this point is that the lighthouse is in worse condition than expected. The Danish Nature Agency Blåvandshuk has therefore recommended that public access be closed immediately.

The serious recommendation from the Danish Nature Agency comes without warning for Mette Bjerrum Jensen, Director of Ringkøbing Fjord Museums, which runs Lyngvig Fyr for Blåvandshuk Nature Agency. Recently, the Danish Nature Agency reported that a major repair would be necessary in the coming years, but it was not on the drawing board that an emergency shutdown would be necessary.

Lyngvig Fyr has damage to the upper decks caused by water ingress at the top of the lighthouse. Both the Danish Maritime Authority, which is responsible for the light and thus the upper meters of Lyngvig Fyr, and the Danish Nature Agency, which owns the lighthouse, have been investigating the possibilities of stopping the uninvited water and corrosion in parts of the upper decks for a number of years. Now the timetable for a repair is unknown until the scope of the new condition report is available.

Monitoring reports are regularly compiled for Lyngvig Fyr , as for all government properties. But although the problem has been known for a long time, its extent has not been serious and it has not previously raised safety concerns. The new report from the external experts has not yet landed on the table at either the Blaavandshuk Nature Agency or the museum. However, Ringkøbing Fjord Museums will of course follow the preliminary recommendation and close Lyngvig Fyr with immediate effect. It is currently unknown when the lighthouse will be ready to reopen.

"We are sorry that many people will encounter a closed lighthouse in the coming period. But for the safety of both guests and employees, we are of course following the recommendation from the Danish Nature Agency. We are in close dialog with both the Nature Agency Blåvandshuk and Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality, so we can find the best possible solution to reopen the lighthouse." says Mette Bjerrum Jensen.

The old lighthouse keeper's house, which serves as a ticket office and museum café, will remain open so that visitors can still enjoy the lighthouse from the dunes and the stories told in the nature playground area.

Fact box
In 2010, the lantern at the top of Lyngvig Fyr was automated and Farvandsvæsenet transferred ownership of Lyngvig Fyr and the surrounding dune heath to Naturstyrelsen Blåvandshuk. The Nature Agency has entered into an agreement with Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality, which in turn has entered into an operating agreement with Ringkøbing Fjord Museer for day-to-day operations. Lyngvig Fyr has been one of the museum's many visitor sites since 2012.

For further information contact:

Mads Bank-Mikkelsen
Acting forester, Blåvandshuk Nature Agency
tel. +45 21 41 86 13
mabmi@nst.dk

Mette Bjerrum Jensen
Director, Ringkøbing Fjord Museums
tel. +45 30 28 28 08 75
mbj@ringkobingfjordmuseer.dk