Today the lifesaving community is gone. Although mariners use modern navigational aids the island and its shoals continue to provide a hazard to shipping. There was a shipwreck on the island in 1999.

Up to six persons live on the island all year but the population increases to as many as 20 as various scientific groups visit for short periods.

The main station provides the island's administrative centre, communications, coordinates aircraft arrivals and departures and also maintains the infrastructure such as generating electricity and waste disposal.

Here are some of the current weather activities on Sable island:

• Meteorological data • Climatological data • Aerological data (high altitude balloons launched twice a day) • Lightning detection network • Air Chemistry: carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; isotopes of Oxygen and Nitrogen; measurements of Aerosol particle concentration; physical, chemical, and optical properties; monitoring emissions from local activities • Magnetic observatory monitors the fine structure of the earth's magnetic field

The lighthouses are automatic now. This one runs on solar power, even with Sable's 125 foggy days a year.

Scientists come every year, mostly to study the birds, seals and horses.

Tracking seals with a radio transmitter and antenna.

Museum scientists gather insects in traps like this.

While individual animals live and die, the wild horse population survives without human help.

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