Displaying items by tag: HQ refurbishment

24th March 2023

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

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.

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About Conor O'Brien, Irish Circumnavigator

In 1923-25, Conor O'Brien became the first amateur skipper to circle the world south of the Great Capes. O'Brien's boat Saoirse was reputedly the first small boat (42-foot, 13 metres long) to sail around the world since Joshua Slocum completed his voyage in the 'Spray' during 1895 to 1898. It is a journey that O' Brien documented in his book Across Three Oceans. O'Brien's voyage began and ended at the Port of Foynes, County Limerick, Ireland, where he lived.

Saoirse, under O'Brien's command and with three crew, was the first yacht to circumnavigate the world by way of the three great capes: Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin; and was the first boat flying the Irish tri-colour to enter many of the world's ports and harbours. He ran down his easting in the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties between the years 1923 to 1925.

Up until O'Brien's circumnavigation, this route was the preserve of square-rigged grain ships taking part in the grain race from Australia to England via Cape Horn (also known as the clipper route).

At a Glance - Conor O'Brien's Circumnavigation

In June 1923, Limerick man Conor O’Brien set off on his yacht, the Saoirse — named after the then newly created Irish Free State — on the two-year voyage from Dun Laoghaire Harbour that was to make him the first Irish amateur to sail around the world.

June 1923 - Saoirse’s arrival in Madeira after her maiden passage out from Dublin Bay

2nd December 1924 - Saoirse crossed the longitude of Cape Horn

June 20th 1925 - O’Brien’s return to Dun Laoghaire Harbour