The light at the end of Port St Mary’s Alfred pier was finally replaced last month.

It replaces the structure known as the pepper pot, which was washed off in a storm in 2009. A navigational light was fitted as an interim measure.

The replacement pepper pot has been wedged up with concrete blocks, suggesting it was too low for anyone out at sea to see.

However this was all part of the plan the Department of Infrastructure’s harbours division says.

The department explained: ’It was necessary to agree the location as well as agree the height of the equipment, before finalising the siting of the aid.

’Further along the breakwater, a small kiosk has appeared, for an official to check the passports of anyone visiting on a passenger ship.

The kiosk will ’ensure the department follows maritime security rules’.

Locals fear the apparently flimsy structure won’t survive the next storm.

The department confirmed that the kiosk would be removed in October when no further passenger vessels are due, stored for the winter, and then brought out again next spring.

Meanwhile, the slipway at the start of the breakwater has been reconstituted as part of a sea defence system.

Installation of a floodgate raised the track slightly, threatening to catch the bottom of boat trailers, but this has now been rectified.