Major Refurbishment for Northern Lighthouse Board HQ in Edinburgh and Careers Show in Glasgow to Offer Apprenticeships

24th March 2023

Jehan Ashmore

The Northern Lighthouse Board which has its headquarters in Edinburgh, is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) responsible for the lighthouses and buoys in Scotland and the Isle of Man where above at Douglas last year, their aids to navigation tender NLV Pharos (based in Oban) made a rare port of call. AFLOAT tracked today, the Irish Lights buoy-laying tender ILV Granuaile which is bound for Manx waters, as vessels from the combined GLA fleet, incl. Trinity House (that serves England, Wales and Channel Islands) share ships when required due to operational reasons. ILV Granuaile also during its career has been chartered-out for commercial purposes. Credit: NLB retweeted

The Northern Lighthouse Board, the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for Scotland and the Isle of Man, is based in Edinburgh where the headquarters of the GLA is undergoing a major refurbishment.

Located at 84 George Street, the headquarters of the Northern Lighthouse Board has been at this site since 1832, though the NLB has been in existance since 1786.

From this headquarter building in the Scottish capital, the famous Stevenson family of engineers led the world in the advancement of lighthouse technology. That tradition continues today with the NLB team caring for lighthouses, buoys, beacons and radio aids to navigation to protect mariners.

Mike Bullock, Chief Executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board said: “The building is having its ageing electrical systems replaced and we are taking the opportunity to make it greener, with better office and welfare facilities, which will provide working conditions fit for the 21st Century. This will allow us to continue with what we do best – keeping people and the environment safe from harm.”

Northern Lighthouse Board to attend Careers Show, Glasgow

Afloat highlights that the NLB is to attend The National School and College Leavers Show held at the Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow.

The dates for the show are Tuesday 28 March (10:00-14:30) & (15:30-18:00) and Wednesday 29 March 10:00-14:00

About the NLB

The NLB operate and maintain 208 lighthouses and 174 buoys as well as providing radio aids to navigation (AtoN) in the waters of Scotland and the Isle of Man.

This requires the NLB to operate two ships, the NLV Pharos which as Afloat reported last summer made a rare port of call to the Manx capital where the public boarded for an 'Open Day' to explain the work of the GLA. The event was marked by the ship 'dressed overall'.

The second vessel, NLV Pole Star as Afloat also reported is to be replaced with a newbuild of the same name by 2025.

The current ships carry out buoy work, deliver stores and supplies to lighthouses and inspect navigation aids on oil and gas rigs in the Scottish sector.

We employ a fantastic team of engineers, technicians, retained lighthouse keepers, seafarers and support staff. We also offer Deck Rating and Engineering apprenticeships.

Together our team ensures that our lighthouses, buoys and beacons continue to evolve to meet the changing requirements of the mariner.

Come and meet the team and find out about future career opportunities.

For further information on the Careers show, click HERE.

Published in Lighthouses

Tagged under

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

Email The Author

Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.