Ona Fyr Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Maybe difficult signals - check spoiler picture
Kan være dårlige signaler mellom fjellknausene - sjekk spoilerbilde
Ona Islands
Ona is the name of a small island community in the Norwegian sea north of Ålesund and west of Molde. There are two larger islands, Ona and Husøy, connected by a small bridge. The ferry from Finnøya/Småge calls at Ona, just below the Ona lighthouse. Approximately 30 people live permanently at Ona. A lot of the houses are only used as summer houses. There is a small cafe and several art galleries on Ona/Husøy. You can stay at the Ona Havstuer for the night if you like to.
History
In 1590 there were 20 families living here, and in 1670 there were 50 families. On Husøya, there were 2 farms, each with 8 - 10 cows as well as oxes, calves, sheeps and pigs. On Ona island, there were 4 "fiskemottak" (places to deliver fishes for further processing). In 1855 Ona became a ship pilot station with 5 regular ship pilots and 1 reserve ship pilot. Their main task was to guide and conduct ships safely in the dangerous waters around Ona. They used to sit by the lighthouse and look for ships in the horizon. Once they detected a ship, they ran down to their small wooden rowing boats, fighting to be the first to reach the distant ship and get the commission. The pilot service at Ona lasted until 1933. The Ona islands had their own childrens school between 1938 and 1994. The last year, it had only 1 pupil.
Ona lighthouse
The main lighthouse on the Ona island was erected in 1866/68, and the first light was tested 20th of October, 1867. The light was produced by an oil lamp all until 1950, when the lighthouse was connected with electricity, as was the rest of the Ona islands.
The main lighthouse (red tower) is a costal lighthouse ("recognition light") and is not used for detailed naviagtion. It shines with a constant white light and is 40 meters above sea level. There are two secondary lighthouses in addition to the main light (see map below). In addition the lighthouse is transmitting a racon signal (morse code O), with a range of 4 nautic miles (ca. 7 km). The secondary light close to the main tower shines with a short red flash every 30 second. The other secondary lighthouse is located on a small skerry north-east of Ona island and shines with different colors in various sectors. Specifically, it covers 270 degrees in 10 sub-sectors with red, green and white. The character of the light is occulting OC 6s (short dark period every 6th second).
The old bridge between Ona (right) and Husøya (left) with Ona lighthouse in the background
Ona with lighthouses and sectors
Vært på Ona neste 48 timer / Weather on Ona next 48 hours:
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Nor] Irafger fvqr cå irv bcc gvy slerg, haqre fgrvauryyr, ergg irq oengg fxerag.
[Eng] Yrsg unaq fvqr jnyxvat gbjneq gur yvtugubhfr, haqre obhyqre pybfr gb fgrrc fgbar jnyy.