Press Releases - back to Press 29th May 2007
Taking ownership of the future:
the General Lighthouse Authorities launch their Radio Navigation PlanThe General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) today launch their GLA Radio Navigation Plan (GRNP) that sets out how the GLAs are going to deliver the radionavigation aspects of their Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy, “2020 The Vision” in support of the emerging e-navigation concept.
The GLAs are proud of their track record of success providing radionavigation services and the GRNP builds upon this as we move towards 2020. It describes how we will adapt in the face of a rapidly changing environment, and thereby optimise our service provision in terms of cost, risk and service level. The GRNP presents the GLAs’ plan in respect of the Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, Radiobeacon DGNSS, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), enhanced Loran (eLoran) and Radar Beacons (Racons).
Dr Stuart Ruttle, Chief Executive of the Commissioners of Irish Lights comments, “We, the GLAs, are proud of our shared heritage, providing and optimising radio navigation services for over sixty years. Our GRNP describes how we will take advantage of ongoing radionavigation improvements to deliver a flexible service that meets the needs of all users. We will always retain a physical aids to navigation backbone.”
Rear Admiral Roger Lockwood, Chief Executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board, says, “Delivering the GRNP is the only way that we can maintain service levels in the context of a rapidly changing and unpredictable service provision environment. We will deploy our radionavigation services around the United Kingdom and Ireland in a way that balances cost, risk and service levels.”
Rear Admiral Jeremy de Halpert, Executive Chairman of Trinity House, says, “The GRNP is all about the GLAs taking ownership of their future in a period of great change as radionavigation systems become much more predominant in the service mix of Aids to Navigation that we provide. The GRNP together with the decisions we are taking today will enable the emerging e-Navigation concept that is being developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).”
When the GRNP is realised, it will individually and collectively influence the provision of all aids to navigation and the level of service we provide: to deliver a reliable, efficient and cost effective Aids to Navigation Service for the benefit and safety of all mariners.
For further information about this press release, please contact:
Trinity House
Vikki Gilson
Telephone: + 44 (0) 20 7481 6960
Email: vikki.gilson@thls.orgNorthern Lighthouse Board
Lorna Hunter
Tel: 0131 473 3100
Email: lhunter@nlb.org.uk
Commissioners of Irish Lights
Tel: +353 1 6321900
Email: info@cil.ie
Notes to Editors
The General Lighthouse Authorities
The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland are Trinity House, the Northern Lighthouse Board and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Together, they have the statutory responsibility for the provision of marine aids to navigation (AtoNs) around the British Isles. The GLAs operate in a “user pays” cost-recovery environment based on “Light Dues” charged on various classes of shipping calling at ports in the UK and Ireland. The UK Secretary of State for Transport sets the level of light dues to be charged. The GLAs’ joint mission is the delivery of a reliable, efficient and cost effective AtoN service for the benefit and safety of all mariners.