The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland – Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights have announced the requirement for an aviation service to support their vital safety service for mariners.

Known as the Tri-GLA Aviation Services Project (ASP), the contract to provide a dedicated aviation service is for a ten-year period from 1 December 2027, with the option to extend for up to a further two years.

An effective aviation service is a vital element of the GLAs’ service to the mariner. For many aids to navigation, due to their location and the nature of the work to be carried out, air travel is the only means of access. Not having an aviation service, even for a short period of time, has the potential to make a serious impact upon the critical statutory services delivered by the GLAs around the UK and Ireland.

Most flights involve carrying both passengers (GLA staff, subcontractors and approved third parties) and cargo to coastal and offshore lighthouses. This may require take off and landing from vessels at sea. Tasks will also include underslung loads that represent between 15% and 32% of the operational flying tasks per year, noting that such tasks will be separate from passenger transfers. Experience is therefore essential in Helicopter External Sling Load Operations (HESLO).

The GLAs are not seeking tenders at this time but will be carrying out Market Engagement to seek supplier views to help inform the procurement process. Any response to this Market Engagement by a supplier does not constitute a formal tender to the ASP procurement process, which the GLAs intend to commence in the Autumn of 2024.

Tri-GLA ASP Market Engagement Questionnaire*
Interested parties have the opportunity to complete a Market Engagement Questionnaire – see link below. The deadline for responding is by 21 March 2024.

Tri-GLA ASP Market Engagement Event – 5 April 2024 from 1000 to 1200 GMT
The GLAs invite interested parties to a virtual market engagement event where they will present an overview of the ASP Procurement and take questions. Details to follow.

Any questions on the procurement process should go through Delta eSourcing by clicking this link.

In addition click HERE and scroll down the page for 4 downloadable documents.

Irish Lights is recruiting a Navigation Support Officer to join the E-Navigation and Maritime Services (EMS) department. This position is based in our Head Office in Dun Laoghaire. 

The role involves providing support on the navigation to the department, including:

• The preparation of Board and departmental reports,
• Navigation assessments for Foreshore Licence, Aquaculture applications, Maritime Area Consent Applications and statutory sanctions
• Supporting ship superintendence and survey requirements.

Applicants must hold a Level 8 Degree qualification, or equivalent maritime qualification and experience, STCW certification (Deck) and have a background in maritime and /or navigation.

The role will suit someone with maritime operations and project management experience who has a passion for our core mission of ensuring safety for all at sea.  The role is rewarding and challenging, requiring a flexible approach to work, including limited travel.

The starting point of the salary scale is €53,846, rising to €64,272.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack on Irish Lights website for full details of the position, the requirements and how to apply by 12 February 2024.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Irish Lights is recruiting a skilled systems/electronic technician to join our Coastal Operations Team as a Systems Performance Lead. The successful candidate will work closely with the team in the management of our software systems to improve workflow, monitoring, reporting, fault analysis and rectification of critical defects and outages in the Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Systems.

If you are interested in a secure role within an innovative and unique organisation, then this role is for you.

Duties of the role will include:

• Being the Systems “Super User” for Coastal Operations
• Managing the Monitoring System
• Acting as the first point of contact in undertaking fault analysis of critical defects and outages
• Triaging responses to outages on all AtoN Systems
• Liaising with other team members to ensure the management of critical spare parts stock
• Tracking and scheduling planned replacement of equipment
• Supporting the development of Systems documentation and specifications

The candidate must be an experienced systems, radio radar or electronic technician with a relevant professional qualification. Experience in Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) would be an advantage.

The starting point of the salary scale is €44,235 rising to €52,215. The point you will be placed on is commensurate to experience. Benefits that make up the attractive reward package include; a very generous defined benefit pension scheme, paid sick leave scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme, generous family friendly policies, an Occupational Health Service, Bike for Work, Taxsaver commuter schemes, onsite parking and an onsite canteen. Irish Lights also provides significant training and career development opportunities.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for full details of this position, the requirements and how to apply by 7 January 2024.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Irish Lights are welcoming applications for the following roles:

Support Operative

Do you like a varied job where every day at work can be different? If yes, then join the team at Irish Lights as one of our Support Operatives in our Coastal Operations Department.

Based in Dun Laoghaire, as a Support Operative you will be responsible for the provision and maintenance of Irish Lights Aids to Navigation and other activities in the Buoy Yard.

Your duties would include:

• Washing, grit blasting, painting and assembly of mechanical structures (buoys)
• Undertaking basic welding of buoy bowls and daymarks
• Undertaking basic electrical (12 volt dc) and mechanical assembly work
• Operating mobile plant equipment e.g. fork lift, teleporter, crane
• Undertaking Stores operations, such as, operating stores reach truck, issuing goods, stock checks
• Driving a Van, as required, for both short and long distances
• Assisting technicians with general operative work
• Maintaining positive environmental standards and procedures
• Adhering to risk, safety and environmental management

An attractive starting salary of €30,440 with a generous pension scheme will be available to the successful candidate. Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information about the role and how to apply by 19 November 2023.

Able Seafarer (Deck) 3 vacancies

This is a unique opportunity for individuals, with a marine background, to work with the statutory body who maintain the aids to navigation, including offshore lighthouses and buoys, all around the Irish coast.
As an Able Seafarer your duties will include shipboard maintenance, mooring operations, watch keeping and operating deck machinery. You will also work with cranes, winches, workboats and helicopter operations.

You will need a valid STCW II/5 Able Seafarer Deck Certificate of Competency and supporting STCW certificates as follows:

• Personal Safety and Social Responsibility Certificate.
• Basic Fire Fighting Certificate.
• Personal Survival Techniques Certificate
• Elementary First Aid Certificate.
• Navigation Watch Ratings Certificate. (Deck)
• Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats.
• Security Awareness Certificate
• Valid Seafarers Medical Certificate

Ideally, you will also have deckhand experience on specialised vessels such as Aids to Navigation or Offshore Anchor Handling.

When you join us, we will provide you with the additional training required to undertake this particular role, and you will be supported throughout your career to reach your full potential as a Mariner.

An attractive salary (€30,440 rising to €37,125, based on experience and service), time for time roster (4 weeks on/4 weeks off) and a generous pension scheme will be available to the successful candidates.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information about the role and how to apply by 26 November 2023.

Applications with CV and cover letter to be submitted to.

Gemma Gregan, HR Advisor
E: [email protected]

Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace

Irish Lights operates and maintains a diverse and technology driven aids to navigation infrastructure for the maritime sector around the island of Ireland including lighthouses, beacons, buoys and electronic aids to navigation.

Irish Lights is recruiting a skilled electrician to join our Operations Team as a Lighthouse Technician (LT). The successful candidate will be responsible to the Lighthouse Team Lead for their role in the provision of maintenance and management of Irish Lights’ assets and other activities. The LT will operate as part of multi-disciplinary teams deployed, as required, on a coast wide basis, to our Dun Laoghaire facility, or at third party locations.

If you are interested in a secure job within an innovative and unique organisation, then this role is for you.

Duties of the role will include:

• Undertaking routine maintenance, fault find and resolve issues at lighthouse stations.
• Reporting any defects or deficiencies with any asset using a computerised work management system.
• Supporting the design phase of projects, as required, by providing feedback and specialist technical knowledge to the design team.
• Working as part of multi-disciplinary team to undertake capital projects at Coastal Locations
• Understanding Risk Assessments and following the required Control Measures for all coast work.
• Partaking in pre-trip briefings and partake in or deliver toolbox talks on site
• Keeping up to date on training, upskilling and personal development.

Due to the specialist skills required in this role, together with a knowledge of the Coast and the health and safety requirements, there will a detailed internal induction programme and extensive on-the-job learning and training provided by Irish Lights. In addition, formal training will also be provided, and this includes but is not limited to, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) training, sea survival, working at heights and Helicopter Landing Officer training.

The candidate must be an experienced technician with a relevant electrical qualification and comfortable with a flexible approach to work, including working away from home.

The starting point of the salary scale is €€35,350, rising to €44,089. The point you will be placed on is commensurate with experience. Benefits that make up the attractive rewards package include; a very generous defined benefit pension scheme (27.9% employer contribution), paid sick leave scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme, generous family-friendly policies, an Occupational Health Service, bike for work, commuter taxsaver schemes, onsite parking and an onsite canteen.

Irish Lights also provides significant training and career development opportunities.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information on this position and how to apply by midnight on 29 September 2023.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Irish Lights is recruiting for an experienced Technology and Information Security Officer (TISO).

Irish Lights operates and maintains a diverse and technology-driven aids to navigation infrastructure for the maritime sector around the island of Ireland, including lighthouses, beacons, buoys and electronic aids to navigation. 

Irish Lights continues to invest in and lead on the adoption of new technologies to deliver our core services.  Keeping our infrastructure, systems and data cyber secure is a key focus of this role.

The role is based in Dun Laoghaire and will include occasional travel to the coast or onboard our vessel, the Granuaile, and the successful candidate will report to the Business Solutions Manager.

If you are interested in a secure job within an innovative and unique organisation, then this role is for you.

Duties of the role will include:

• Continuously improving solutions and systems, the supporting architecture, infrastructure and the related security environment ensuring security is a key enabler to deliver Irish Lights’ strategic objectives and business goals.
• Determining security policy, having responsibility for compliance, audit and quality assurance ensuring defined standards are adhered to and overall responsibility for employee cyber security education and awareness training.
• Validating change requirements based on advances in technology, proof of concepts, strategic goals and user requirements (internal/external) whilst considering the need to reduce organisation costs and deliver organisational efficiencies in a secure manner.

The candidate must hold an ICT qualification with at least five years of relevant experience.

The starting point of the salary scale is €53,050. The point you will be placed on is commensurate to experience. Benefits that make up the attractive rewards package include; a very generous defined benefit pension scheme (27.9% employer contribution), paid sick leave scheme, blended working, an Employee Assistance Programme, generous family-friendly policies, an Occupational Health Service, bike for work and commuter tax saver schemes, onsite parking and an onsite canteen.

Irish Lights also provides significant training and career development opportunities.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information on this position and how to apply by midnight on 7 August 2023.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (Irish Lights) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency, have collaborated to launch an online training course aimed at Local Lighthouse Authorities.

The course, delivered through BIM’s Learning Management System, consists of six modules and aims to enhance the safe and efficient operation of local aids to navigation services.

It covers topics such as the legal basis for providing marine aids to navigation, understanding the different types of aids to navigation, maintenance schedules and policies and procedures to cover outage reporting and availability requirements to international standards.

The training course is designed to empower and equip Local Lighthouse Authorities with the necessary knowledge to effectively manage local aids to navigation, ensuring the well-being of mariners and the protection of coastal environments.

Local Lighthouse Authorities are responsible for over 3,500 local aids to navigation around Ireland and Northern Ireland, which play a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety by assisting vessels in the identification of safe navigable waters and highlighting the locations of marine hazards for all marine users.

In delivering our services, Irish Lights relies on the capability of its dedicated buoy tender vessel, the ILV Granuaile. Now entering its third decade of service life, the current Granuaile has delivered excellent value for money and will continue to operate successfully in the short term. In parallel, Irish Lights has initiated a project, to plan and deliver a replacement vessel by 2029.

To support the effective project management and delivery of this project, Irish Lights is seeking to appoint a Senior Project Manager on a fixed-term contract for the Vessel Replacement Project.

Reporting to the Director of eNavigation and Maritime Services (Project Director), this senior role offers the opportunity to be at the heart of a large capital project, which is being delivered via the Public Sector Spending Code.

The role will be responsible for the day-to-day management, co-ordination and delivery of the Vessel Replacement Project within budget, timeline and scope. Under the general direction of the Project Director, duties of the role include:

• Project Leadership
• Defining, Developing and Embedded Project Management Standards
• Planning and Monitoring
• Reporting and Controls
• RAID Management
• Project Documentation
• Quality Management

The successful candidate will have a background in capital project delivery, together with knowledge of relevant procurement processes. Previous maritime experience is desirable, although not essential.

The role will be both rewarding and challenging and will require a flexible approach to work, including some travel.

For more information on the role and requirements and how to apply, please view the Candidate Briefing Pack. The closing date for receipt of applications is 18 June 2023.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Irish Lights is currently recruiting for an executive assistant to the chief executive.

Based in Dun Laoghaire, the successful candidate will work closely with the chief executive to optimise the management of their schedule and ensure the office activities are planned to support their priorities and those of the organisation.

This is a highly demanding role and will require five days working in the office, with occasional out-of-hours work.

Applicants must have experience of working in an executive assistant or similar role. Advanced MS Office skills, IT and secretarial skills are essential.

This is a varied role, which requires excellent administrative skills, stakeholder management and a high level of verbal and written communication skills.

For further details on the role and Irish Lights, see the Candidate Briefing Pack which also gives information on the salary and benefits.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 June 2023. Apply by sending a CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected]. The Irish Lights Job Applicant Privacy Notice is available here.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

The Irish Government has ratified the Convention on the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation which will support safe and efficient navigation around our coasts. 

As shipping and offshore activity continues to grow, the new Convention will enable collaboration and development of consistent standards and practises at international level.

The Convention changes the status of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities or IALA from a Non-Governmental Organisation to an Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO). The status of IGO will give further weight to the standards and recommendations of IALA, leading to greater compliance and navigational safety.

Marking the ratification of the IALA Convention, Minister of State Chambers said: “The transport of critical resources by sea enables the majority of our international trade. The last few years have illustrated Ireland’s reliance on marine supply chains with over 90% of goods by volume transported into our ports. New opportunities in offshore wind will bring huge benefits and must be planned and managed carefully in conjunction with fisheries, leisure and marine protected areas.

Yvonne Shields O’Connor, Irish Lights Chief Executive and Minister of State Jack Chambers TD

The offshore environment will be busier while physical and electronic aids to navigation will continue to support the protection of lives, trade, property and the environment around our coast. Ireland’s membership of IALA, along with the work of my Department at the International Maritime Organisation, will ensure that Ireland contributes proactively at international level to the safe and sustainable development of our shipping and maritime sector.”

Irish Lights Chief Executive, Yvonne Shields O’Connor said, “We welcome the Irish Government’s support for the ratification of the IALA convention. Increased digitalisation, connectivity, cyber security, expansion of offshore infrastructure, developments such as autonomous vessels and changes in trade patterns and climate are just some of the key issues being addressed at IALA.

As the organisation responsible for delivering essential navigation safety services around the coast of Ireland, Irish Lights understands the importance of global cooperation and coordination in harmonising marine navigation and related services. Ireland though Irish Lights has been a member of IALA since its establishment in 1957 and we look forward to continuing to play our part in this important work.”