Portland Bill and Lighthouse. Portland Bill and Chesil Beach are the graveyards of many ships that failed to reach Weymouth or Portland. The Portland Race is caused by the meeting of the tides between the Bill and the Shambles sandbank. Strong currents break the sea so fiercely that from the shore a continuous disturbance is visible. Portland Bill Lighthouse guides vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth through these hazardous waters as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel. Portland Bill Lighthouse is operated by Trinity House and was was demanned in 1996 when control of the station was automated remotely. There are two other lighthousese nearby (the 'high' and the 'low'), both being constrcyted prior to the lighthouse shown which is very much an iconic building.