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Northern Lighthouse Board announce name for new Ship

The Northern Lighthouse Board have just announced that their new ship, which is being built by Gdansk Stocznia Remontowa S.A. yard in Gdansk, Poland, will be called PHAROS. This continues a long tradition, as this will be the Board’s 9th vessel called PHAROS, the first being a wooden Sloop in 1799!

However, the new PHAROS will be a far cry from the original; she will be slightly longer and broader than the current Pharos and will be equipped with dynamic positioning, have a large aft working deck area, integrated bridge management system and forward helicopter flight deck. She will also be able to carry out additional tasks such as hydrographic surveying and will be built to the latest environmental standards.

Work is now underway on the fine design of the ship, it is anticipated that the first steel will be cut in August 2005 and she will be delivered into service Autumn 2006. The new ship will operate out of the Board’s base in Oban.

Notes for 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: 210 Lighthouses, 144 Buoys, 46 Beacons, 4 Differential Global Positioning System Stations, 22 Radar Beacons and 11 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