The Northern Lighthouse Board’s new vessel POLE STAR, currently under construction at GONDAN Shipbuilders, Castropol, Asturias Spain, launched today (14 January 2025).
The vessel successfully left the slipway and entered the Ria del Eo before being towed to a berth at the shipyard.
Phil Day, Director of Operations with the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) said:
“This is a momentous occasion for the shipyard and for NLB. To see the vessel successfully launch into the water is a major milestone and means we are well on our way to taking delivery of a new state-of-the-art hybrid powered ship to support our vital safety service to mariners.”
Alvaro Platero Díaz, President of GONDAN Shipbuilders.
“As the shipyard honoured to build the NLV Pole Star—the fifth vessel of this name under the Northern Lighthouse Board’s command since 1892—the launching ceremony is an exciting milestone. It marks the moment when the structural elements of a complex engineering project come together to finally become a ship.
“We deeply appreciate NLB’s commitment to excellence from day one, which has driven the yard to deliver a highly sophisticated and durable vessel that will enable NLB to fulfil its mission for many years to come.”
The ship will now require around nine months of fitting out work before it is ready for delivery.
Using the latest technology
The new vessel which replaces the current POLE STAR will incorporate the latest technology to minimise the impact on the environment. The ship will have enhanced capability to help deal with the effects of Climate Change, and will contribute to the ambitious environmental targets set out in the UK Government Clean Maritime Plan.
NLB representatives Phil Day Director of Operations; Chris Somerville Ship’s Master; Jonathan Stewart 2nd Engineer; Adrian Abraham ETO; Donald Lawrie Chief Engineer; and Morgan Dennison Mechanical Engineering Apprentice were present at the event to celebrate this important milestone. Nelson Piçarra from Team Electric and Alvydas Pilibaitis from OSK Design who form part of the NLB site team were also at the launch.
Watch a video of the ship leaving the slipway https://youtu.be/gFoVrC0fqXk?si=H8PrhcK6OqXfUCIF
Ends
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact: Fiona Holmes, Communications Officer
fiona.holmes@nlb.org.uk tel: 0131 473 3113 / 07831 635393
- The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), the General Lighthouse Authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man announced the award of a fixed price contract of £51.8 million to Spanish shipyard Astilleros Gondán S.A on 12 December 2022.
- The tender includes a commitment to place over £2 million of contracts with UK suppliers with a requirement for any contract over £25k to be advertised in the UK.
- As part of the deal GONDAN also created a special fully funded internship programme for up to 15 UK based students. Two students from Strathclyde University have already benefitted from placements with GONDAN and NLB’s Mechanical Engineering Apprentice Morgan Dennison is currently on a 3 month placement at the yard. There will be further opportunities for more internships this summer.
