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Displaying items by tag: HQ refurbishment

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

Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race Information

The biennial Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race is a 320-miles race down to the east coast of Ireland, across the south coast and into Dingle harbour in County Kerry.

The race is organised by the National Yacht Club.

It never fails to offer a full range of weather, wind and tide to the intrepid entrants, ranging from a 32ft cruiser to a 79ft all-out racer.

Three divisions are available to enter: cruiser (boats equipped with furlers), racing (the bulk of the fleet) and also two-handed.

D2D Course change overruled

In 2019, the organisers considered changing the course to allow boats to select routes close to shore by removing the requirement to go outside Islands and Lighthouses en route, but following input from regular participants, the National Yacht Club decided to stick with the tried and tested course route in order to be fair to large and smaller boats and to keep race records intact.

RORC Points Calendar

The 2019 race was the first edition to form part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club “RORC” calendar for the season. This is in addition to the race continuing as part of the ISORA programme. 

D2D Course record time

Mick Cotter’s 78ft Whisper established the 1 day and 48 minutes course record for the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race in 2009 and that time stood until 2019 when Cotter returned to beat his own record but only just, the Dun Laoghaire helmsman crossing the line in Kerry to shave just 20 seconds off his 2009 time.