Black Rock, the iconic navigation mark that roughly divides the entrance of the harbour into two distinct channels, the eastern deep water channel and the western more shallow channel, has been given a new top mark painted with an IALA designated isolated danger mark.

Since Henrician times the rock has been called a variety of names, Caregroyne, Middle Rock, Falmouth Rock, Parson's Rock and Black Rock.

The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) was directed by Trinity House, the UK lighthouse authority, to paint the top mark in accordance with IALA Buoyage regulations.

The IALA Buoyage System was implemented in 1977 to address the unsatisfactory and sometimes disastrous mix of over 30 buoyage systems being used worldwide.

IALA first set up an international technical committee in 1965 to examine the problem and design a system that would be globally recognised. Trinity House played a leading part in the system's successful deployment, with an Elder Brother chairing the committee.

During the re-painting operation the Commissioners had a weather station fixed to the beacon. FHC Assistant harbour master Lloyd Pond said: “The apparatus at the base of the pole is a meteorological station which gives wind and air temperature.

In the future we hope to have a link on our website so that all harbour users will be able to benefit from actual weather information.”