2013 - The 'Outer Wrach' Buoy with the Holms distant in the Bristol Channel. The photograph was published in the Penarth Daily News. [092] Penarth's on-line daily news service reported that a mystery ship had put a vital channel-buoy out of action. The photograph caption states 'The Outer Wrach Buoy – before the collision which capsized it'. The article continues:

'One of the key navigational markers guiding ships and smaller vessels past Penarth Head and into the dredged channel leading to Cardiff Docks and Penarth Marina has been damaged and put out of action.

The yellow-and-black “Outer Wrach Buoy” – a vital cardinal buoy which helps ships and boats avoid the notorious “Cefn Y Wrach” (Witch’s Back) bank – disappeared from sight on Wednesday and was listed as being “out of position”.

The buoy is equipped with small tower carrying an electronic flashing light powered by solar energy .

It’s believed the buoy may have been struck by an as-yet unidentified ship – damaging the tower structure, pulling it out of position and capsizing it.

Ships have to keep to the West of the buoy to avoid running aground. Trinity House are understood to be arranging for a replacement as soon as possible.'

Penarth Daily News [092] 2nd March 2013