Press Releases - back to Press                                                                                  27 July 2005

 

CONCLUSIONS OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION REVIEW ANNOUNCED BY NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD

In January 2005, the three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the UK and Ireland issued a Consultation document following a joint review of Aids to Navigation of the coasts of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.

The Review addressed the current and future requirements of national and international shipping and those of Mariners in general for consultation purposes. Each Aid to Navigation – light, buoy or beacon - was studied in isolation, as well as in relation to the other Aids to Navigation in its vicinity.

The Consultation period for the Review of Aids to Navigation period ended in April and the Northern Lighthouse Board has now published its conclusions, which have been broken into the following areas;

1 - The Isle of Man, North Channel, the Clyde
2 - The Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan
3 - Ardnamurchan to Barra Head; Cape Wrath to the Flannan Isles
4 - Scotland N Coast, Orkney Islands (excluding Pentland Firth)
5 - Pentland Firth
6 - Shetland Islands
7 - Clythness to Rattray Head
8 - Rattray Head to St Abbs Head

The Conclusions from the Aids to Navigation Review 2005 can be viewed on the Northern Lighthouse Board’s website www.nlb.org.uk.

James Taylor, Chief Executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board said;

“The conclusions from this review represent the most radical changes to traditional major aids to navigation for a long time, and reflect the wider use of satellite navigation and the development of international electronic navigation systems, changes in shipping patterns, and an acknowledgement that whatever happens, mariners will still require the visual clues that traditional aids to navigation provide. The last time a major Scottish light was removed from service was in the 1940s at the Monach Isles (in the Western Isles), and ironically the trends in shipping traffic dictate that this light will be re-established.

“This review has been a lengthy exercise, and we have consulted as widely as possible with all our users, including Ports, Shipping Companies, the Fishing Industry, Yachtsmen and Leisure users, Nautical Colleges, Maritime professionals and anyone and everyone with an interest in the safety of shipping and the marine environment. A small number of lights and beacons will be taken out of service as no longer required; elsewhere, new lights, buoys and beacons will be provided. Fog signals will be silenced.

“It is important to understand that this is not a question of switching off lights and walking away. Some of these conclusions have already been implemented and some of the easier to implement, such as light character changes and the discontinuation of fog signals are underway. But other tasks will take time; will require us to work with relevant bodies and interests to ensure that redundant property and material is disposed of sympathetically; and will be programmed into the work of the Board over the next five years. Above all, the standard of service we provide to everyone who uses the sea will continue to improve, and will reflect what those who do use the sea really want.”

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Notes for Editor:-
Copies of the Conclusions from the Aids to Navigation Review 2005 can be downloaded from the Northern Lighthouse Board’s www.nlb.org.uk.

1. This review followed the publication in October 2004 of the General Lighthouse Authorities ‘Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy to 2020’, known as ‘2020 The Vision’. This strategy document looks carefully at trends in navigational practices and determines a future strategy for the provision of both visual and electronic Aids to Navigation and forms the foundation of this review.

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: 207 Lighthouses, 144 Buoys, 46 Beacons, 4 Differential Global Positioning System Stations, 22 Radar Beacons and Loran-C on trial.

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).

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 and OHSAS 18001.

For further information, please contact:

Northern Lighthouse Board
Nicola Scott Tel 0131 473 3100, Fax 0131 220 2093, Email: enquiries@nlb.org.uk

www.nlb.org.uk