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Establishment of New Light in Yell Sound - Rumble Rock
On 12 September 2001 the Northern Lighthouse Board's new minor light in Yell Sound will be established. Work on the new light only started at the end of July and involved the use of a jack-up rig positioned by the treacherous Rumble Rock. The new light, which replaces the existing structure, will have a character of flashing white every 10 seconds and have a range of 4 miles; the Racon service will remain as before. The concrete pillar supporting the light and Racon is painted white, which will act as an improved day mark for the mariner. The light and the existing Racon are both powered by solar-charged batteries.
Notes to the Editor
1. The Northern Lighthouse Board operates under statute - the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 - and is the General Lighthouse Authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man.
2. The Board currently operates: 200 Lighthouses, 118 Buoys, 42 Beacons, 3 Differential Global Positioning System Stations, 22 Radar Beacons and 16 Fog Signals.
3. The Northern Lighthouse Board is funded entirely from the General Lighthouse Fund, sourced by "Light Dues", a levy paid by shipping. The Board receives no direct funding from the Exchequer or taxpayer.
4. The other General Lighthouse Authorities are the Commissioners of Irish Lights (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) and Trinity House Lighthouse Service (England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar).
For further information, please contact:
Lorna Hunter, Information Officer
Tel 0131 473 3100
Fax 0131 220 2093