Press Releases - Back to Press

NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD MEET WITH ORKNEY ISLAND COUNCIL
ON FUTURE USE OF STROMNESS BASE

On Tuesday 28 January, the Northern Lighthouse Board’s Chief Executive, James Taylor and Director of Operations, Guy Platten met with Orkney Islands Council Chief Executive, Alistair Buchan, for constructive talks on the Council’s proposals for the future use of the Board’s Base in Stromness. This meeting follows the decision, in December 2002, by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses to withdraw from their operations in Stromness by 31 March 2004. Discussions between the Northern Lighthouse Board and Orkney Islands Council are ongoing and they are likely to meet again at the end of February.
The Board’s representatives also met with staff at the Stromness Base to answer any questions and discuss the likely timeframe and process for ceasing operations and withdrawal. The first phase of this planned programme will be the cessation of helicopter operations from the helipad at Ness Battery by the end of February 2003. Six jobs will be lost as a result of the withdrawal from the Base, however, there will be the opportunity of relocation for up to four posts at the Board’s offices in Edinburgh and at their Base in Oban. Staff at Stromness have been given the opportunity to visit the newly modernised Base in Oban, where two posts will soon become available. Two further people, recently recruited by the Board to work as Technicians will continue to be based in Orkney.
---o0o---

Notes to the Editor
1. The consultation period over the closure of the Stromness Base ended on 15 November 2002; the decision to withdraw was made on 9 December 2002.

2. 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.

3. The Board currently operates: 201 Lighthouses, 131 Buoys, 41 Beacons, 4 Differential Global Positioning System Stations, 22 Radar Beacons and 12 Fog Signals.

4. 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.

5. 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).



Back to Press