A steel-cutting ceremony for the Northern Lighthouse Board’s new state of the art hybrid powered vessel, which is to serve off Scotland and the Isle of Man, took place in a Spanish shipyard, Astilleros Gondán S.A.

Phil Day, Director of Operations with the Northern Lighthouse Board said: “The steel cutting ceremony is an important milestone as it marks the moment when production starts on the build of the new Pole Star, following an intensive 10-month period of detailed design work.

“Using new technology to minimise the impact on the environment and with additional capability to help deal with the effects of Climate Change, the new ship will ensure we can continue to deliver our vital safety service in Scottish and Manx waters into the 2050s.”

As Afloat previously reported the £51.8m newbuild is to enter service in Summer 2025 and will meet the ambitious environmental targets set out in the UK Government Clean Maritime Plan, whilst future proofing the Northern Lighthouse Board’s ability to deliver its vital safety services over the next 25 years.

NLB representatives Director of Operations, Phil Day and Technical Manager, Graham Moffat were also present at the event on Friday, 23 October, in a day that celebrated the exciting milestone.

The NLB is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) which is responsible for aids to navigation in the waters around Scotland and the Isle of Man.

The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) which is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) responsible for waters in Scotland and the Isle of Man, has awarded a £51.8 million project to build a new hybrid powered vessel from a shipyard in Spain.

The contract for the new aids to navigation tender will see the ship built by Astilleros Gondán S.A. The state-of-the-art hybrid powered ship is to replace NLV Pole Star as Afloat reported last year and is due to enter service in 2025 to support its vital safety service to mariners.

Gondán is a well-established and highly respected family business with a track record of delivering quality vessels. 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 Gondán will also create a special fully funded internship programme for up to 15 UK based students who will benefit from a range of placements at the yard during the vessel’s construction.

Mike Bullock, NLB’s Chief Executive said:“This is a really exciting time for us, and we are delighted we can now take forward our ambitious plans for the build of a hybrid powered aid to navigation tender to replace NLV Pole Star, which after 23 years of service is rapidly approaching the end of her economic life.

The new vessel, which will take the same name Pole Star, will be a step change from what has gone before using new technology to minimise the impact on the environment and will bring additional capability to help deal with the effects of Climate Change. This will ensure that we can continue to protect mariners and our precious marine environment in Scottish and Manx waters into the 2050s.”

Alvaro Platero, CEO and Owner of GONDAN said:“We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract by the Northern Lighthouse Board, and we are honoured to have been chosen after a very thorough tender process. Our team worked tirelessly to submit a competitive bid, and we are grateful to NLB for recognizing our efforts. We take great pride in our reputation as a shipyard specialized in the delivery of tailored vessels that perform even on the most demanding conditions and we are committed to upholding that reputation with the construction of this modern and environmentally friendly vessel. We would like to thank NLB for entrusting us with this project, and we look forward to working with them to bring their vision to life.”

Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said:“This new vessel will deliver vital stores and supplies to lighthouses along the coastline and help to carry out important buoy work, providing a crucial service to the wider maritime sector and upholding world-class levels of safety in our waters.“As we continue working to deliver Maritime 2050 and decarbonise, it’s great to see the new Pole Star will also be much greener than its predecessor and make use of innovative technology to reduce emissions, while supporting jobs and skills in the UK.”

The NLB operates two ships NLV Pharos and NLV Pole Star which carry out buoy work, deliver stores and supplies to lighthouses and inspect navigation aids on oil and gas rigs in the Scottish sector. The new vessel which will follow a tradition started in 1892 by being the fifth NLB vessel to bear the name Pole Star, will be constructed to a detailed specification which ensures improved sea keeping, better and safer buoy servicing operations, towing and firefighting capability.

There will also be improved crew accommodation and substantial environmental improvements over its predecessor.

The newbuild is to enter service in June 2025 and will meet the ambitious environmental targets set out in the UK Government Clean Maritime Plan, whilst future proofing NLB’s ability to deliver its vital safety services over the next 25 years.