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Helicopter incident

At approximately 1105 today, a helicopter on contract from Bond Air Services to the Northern Lighthouse Board made a safe unscheduled landing at Out Skerries in Shetland due to suspected technical difficulties. Only the helicopter pilot was on board and he was uninjured.

The helicopter was en route to uplift two technicians from Out Skerries lighthouse, the two men were uplifted by a Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter and have been taken safely to Tingwall.

The Northern Lighthouse Board would like to thank the rescue services and others involved for their swift and professional response.

 

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: 207 Lighthouses, 144 Buoys, 46 Beacons, 4 Differential Global Positioning System Stations, 22 Radar Beacons and 12 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).

5. The Northern Lighthouse Board is certificated to ISO9001:2000 standard for the provision of navigational aid services to seafarers and other organisations around the coast of Scotland and Isle of Man. Certification covers the design and maintenance of navigational aids and systems, logistical support and associated technical services including consultancy. The Board is also certified to The International Safety Management Code, (ISM Code) in respect of our ships and marine management systems