Our Area of Responsibility

This area covers half the waters and coastline of the United Kingdom, including the majority of offshore manned oil installations. The approximate length of this coastline is 6,214 miles (10,000km) a land area of 30,405sq miles (77,700 sq km) and 790 islands*.

* Source Scottish Statistics.

Most of the significant lighthouses and other aids to navigation for general navigation outside harbour limits are provided directly by us.

We currently own and maintain:

  • 208 Lighthouses
  • 174 Buoys
  • 25 Beacons
  • 52 AIS Stations
  • 29 Racons

Under our supervision, harbour authorities and other third parties provide aids to navigation in harbour areas and outside harbour areas on structures such as outfalls, renewable energy sites and oil and gas installations. These consist of approximately:

  • 2400 Local Lighthouse Authority (LLA) AtoN
  • 100 Offshore Oil and Gas Installations
  • 9 Operational Offshore Windfarms with over 30 more in various stages of the planning and consenting process
  • 500 Aquaculture Sites

Through the UK’s commitment to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), NLB is required to operate in accordance with International recommendation and guidelines.

For marine aids to navigation, these standards are set by the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA). We are an active member of this body and involved with IALA committees and work groups which enable all members to share expertise and experiences and contribute to developments in their field.

The method of measuring availability standards for each category of AtoN is set by IALA. These are published in the IALA Marine Aids to Navigation Manual (NavGuide – 2023 edition).

IALA states that the absolute minimum level of operational availability for individual aids to navigation is 95%. If availability of an individual Aid falls below this level then consideration must be given to withdrawing the Aid to Navigation from service.

The availability of the actual Aid to Navigation (e.g. whether the light is flashing correctly or a buoy is on station) is calculated over a 3 year continuous period. High levels of availability, which matches or exceeds Internationally recognised standards, ensures that we provide the service required by mariners in our hostile marine environment.

Availability is measured by dividing total time (i.e. the sum of the total number of hours in a year multiplied by the number of Aids to Navigation in each category) into the difference between total time and the number of hours that the Aids were not available to the mariner. This calculation is then expressed as a percentage.

Each of the traditional aids to navigation operated by us are allocated an IALA category:

Category 1

An Aid to Navigation (AtoN) or system of AtoN that is considered by the Competent Authority to be of vital navigational significance. For example, lighted Aids to Navigation and RACONs that are considered essential for marking landfalls, primary routes, channels, waterways or new dangers or the protection of the marine environment.

Category 2

An AtoN or system of AtoN that is considered by the Competent Authority to be of important navigational significance. For example, it may include any lighted Aids to Navigation and RACONs that mark secondary routes and those used to supplement the marking of primary routes.

Category 3

An AtoN or system of AtoN that is considered by the Competent Authority to be of necessary navigational significance.

Feedback from our users is essential if we are to continue to provide a reliable and relevant Aid to Navigation service. If you have any queries or suggestions regarding AtoN provision across Scotland and the Isle of Man, please contact the Navigation Department.

Email: navigation@nlb.org.uk
Tel: 0131 473 3100

Our Area of Responsibility
Electronic Aids to Navigation
Physical Aids to Navigation
Monitoring
Notices to Mariners
Statutory Roles and Sanctions