The Old LORAN Station

I only passed once at this former US Coast Guard facility on Panay island when I was a growing-up kid. At that time, the station was no longer operational, but for the locals who used to be civilian employees, for them is a continuing saga. They would tell me stories about seaplanes delivering food supplies and mails, abundant supply of corned beef, men unafraid of rough seas and radar.

In my later years, I never had a chance to see LORAN upclose, though had a chance to meet former civilian employees.

The last time I heard someone talk about it, was from a resident at Panay island. He said that the former station was completely vandalized and the new occupants now are water buffalo.

There should be an initiative to maintain the facility not only as a tourist destination but as well as a historical reminder for our province and also in memory for those who were once part of the station.

A description of the air operations at LORSTA Catanduanes:

The island of Catanduanes lies 230 miles east-southeast of Sangley Point. The hilly terrain was unsuitable for an aircraft runway. The LORSTA, known simply as Cat, was situated at the north end of the island with a bay immediately to the west that was adequate for UF/HU-16 water operations as long as the wind and sea conditions were favorable. The aircraft tied up at a buoy and supplies were unloaded by small boat and transported to the boat dock. The bay was semi-exposed to the sea and when the incoming swells made the bay dangerous, landings were made at the south end of the bay. This was separated from the main bay by an island and coral reefs. The aircraft, when using the south bay had to be unloaded at anchor and supplies transported to the LORSTA.

source: www.uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/history02.html
photo: www.pbase.com/cesvaleza/loran

RELATED LINKS:

• Visiting Bagamanoc - View of coastal fishing villages and sights on way to Bagamanoc.
  
• Lorong Lighthouse in Panay Island - Partial view of Panay island lighthouse.
  
• Visiting Panganiban - View of Panganiban Elementary School, Tarahid and Bangquerohan bridge and mangroves.
  
• Visiting Pandan - Beaches and sights in the northernmost town in Pandan.
  
• The Road Going to North - Latest view of the new Catanduanes circumferential road and landscape.