The Commissioners of Irish Lights (Irish Lights) is seeking Expressions of Interest for appointments to its Board.

The mission of Irish Lights is Safe Navigation at Sea. We are a maritime organisation delivering essential 24/7 safety and navigation services, 365 days a year. With strong working ties to our sister agencies Trinity House and Northern Lighthouse Board in the UK, Irish Lights operates on an all island basis, covering both jurisdictions, North and South.

Our current 2018-2023 strategy ‘Safe Seas – Connected Coasts’ recognises the exciting and challenging trends in the maritime sector at national and international level. With a strong focus on safety, innovation, technology and sustainability, Irish Lights plays a leadership role in the delivery of next generation navigation and maritime safety services. We are looking for experienced individuals to join our Board, to support the ongoing development of the organisation. Two appointments will be made in the first quarter of 2023, with a further two appointments later in 2023. Applicants should have Board / Senior Management experience and a specific capability in one or more of the following;

• Financial experience and expertise – an Accountant ideally with Audit and Risk Committee interest and experience.
• An Engineer with recent experience in Environment / Heritage / Sustainability / Planning and Consenting / Health and Safety
• A Construction / Property Development Specialist with experience in Sustainability / Heritage / Architecture.
• A Specialist in the field of Environment / Sustainability / ESG and /or Health and Safety.
• A Legal Specialist, ideally with current planning and / or contractual expertise

Marine, Maritime and Navigation experience would be beneficial and is desirable but is not essential. This would include expertise or specific experience of working professionally in any sub-sector of the marine and maritime sector e.g. shipping, ports, offshore wind, fisheries, leisure, marine technology, surveying etc. or knowledge of navigation gleaned from a relevant qualification or a sailing/seafaring background (e.g. yacht master, leisure, merchant, navy).

Irish Lights values and supports diversity and equality of opportunity. Appointments are made on merit. While Board members do not receive fees, the successful appointees will gain significant exposure to and experience in a sector growing in both national and international importance.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted to [email protected] no later than the 27th January 2023. For an Expressions of Interest forms, note the attached pdf. 

Irish Lights is hosting Navigating To 2050 – A safe and sustainable maritime future, a two-day hybrid conference bringing together key national and international leaders to debate a safe and sustainable route to 2050. 

The event will be held in Dublin Castle on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 November.

Safely navigating to a decarbonised maritime sector by 2050 requires extensive knowledge building, investment and holistic approaches. More importantly, the organisers say, it requires immediate action.

These issues affect the entire marine sector — from shipping, ports, energy, fuel supply and storage, to environmentally friendly and safe navigation, operations and effective regulation.

Irish Lights says the conference will identify the gaps and opportunities that will foster progress on this critical journey.

Register your interest and view key speakers at the conference website HERE.

Irish Lights is recruiting for an Able Bodied Seafarer (Deck) on board its multi-purpose DP 1 vessel, Granuaile.

THE SHIP

Granuaile is an Irish Flagged 80-meter multi-purpose DP1 vessel with a 20-tonne crane and significant mooring handling capabilities. She is a diesel-electric ship powered by 5 x MAN gensets with a total power of 3700kW driving 2 x Schottel Azi Pod propellers and a Gill Jet Azitumth Bow Thruster. She is classed by Lloyds and has UMS notation. Primary duties involve maintenance of floating and fixed Aids to Navigation. Over the ship's 20 years in operation, she has successfully completed a wide range of offshore contracts, including subsea operations.

THE ROLE

As the Operational Maintenance Operative (OMO) Deck you will be required to carry out shipboard duties as directed by the Deck Supervisor (Bosun). Your work as OMO is classed as general purpose and in addition to deck/bridge/boat work you will also work in the Engine Room, Accommodation and Galley work as directed. On completion of an on-board training programme, you will be expected to be competent in the operation of cranes and daughter craft.

THE REQUIREMENTS

You must hold a valid STCW Able Seafarers Deck Certificate and all the essential criteria listed in the Candidate Briefing Pack. Ex-Naval personnel with experience of small craft operations will also be considered, subject to eligibility to progress to STCW Able Seafarers Deck Certificate and achieving all relevant STCW certifications for the role. Previous experience on Aids to Navigation Maintenance or Offshore Anchor Handling vessels would be a distinct advantage.

You will need to be able to take ownership of tasks and responsibilities and work efficiently. You will need strong communication and teamwork skills. If English is not your first language, you must achieve at least 80% on the Marlin Test. The ship’s core operations of buoy maintenance and lighthouse replenishment can be physically demanding so you will need a good level of physical fitness.

An attractive salary, time on time off roster and pension scheme is available. Please visit our website (www.irishlights.ie/who-we-are/vacancies) to view the Candidate Briefing Pack for further information about the role and the requirements.

The closing date for applications is the close of business Monday, 17 October 2022. Please apply by emailing a CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected] Please view Irish Lights Job Applicant Privacy Notice on our website.

Irish Lights has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Engineering Design Manager. This role will primarily be based in our Dun Laoghaire Office with periodic travel to some of the most stunning locations around the coast of Ireland.

THE ROLE
As Engineering Design, Consent and Compliance Manager you will report to the Coastal Operations and Property Manager. In this new, mid-senior role you will manage a programme of exciting projects. You will motivate and lead our Design and Support Team in the delivery of all design work to support work activities at our coastal stations. You will ensure that Irish Lights complies with relevant planning and environmental obligations and you will be the ‘Delegated Decision Maker’ for Irish Lights with respect to Appropriate Assessment determinations.

THE REQUIREMENTS
You must have an engineering honours degree (level 8 in the NFQ) or equivalent professional qualification with at least 7 years’ experience in relevant engineering design. You will need to demonstrate your experience in project design, preparation of specifications and costings. Similarly, you will need a good knowledge of planning and environmental consenting. A knowledge of habitats and heritage designations and their management would be highly advantageous.

You will need a strong track record of team building, planning and leadership along with excellent communication and people skills. You will also need strong ICT, report writing and record keeping skills, with the ability to prioritise work and work to deadlines.

THE BENEFITS
Details of the salary range and the other benefits including blended working arrangements are detailed in the Candidate Briefing Pack. The pack also gives further information on the role, the requirements and Irish Lights.

HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is close of business on Friday, 26 September 2022. Please apply by sending a CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected] Please view Irish Lights Job Applicant Privacy Notice on the Vacancies page.

Irish Lights is recruiting for a Local Contact in Castletownbere. This part-time role is a critical and responsible position that provides an essential service to our coastal communities.

The role is also responsible for carrying out ground support for Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter operations for the Irish Coast Guard. The role is based at the Irish Lights helipad in Castletownbere and may, from time to time, be required to travel and work at other locations.

Main Responsibilities will include:

Aids to Navigation: Being the local, on the ground, contact for Irish Lights, in the area. Being familiar with the running of the Aids to Navigation and stations assigned.

Helicopter Operations: Being responsible for carrying out ground support for Irish Lights helicopter operations.

Search and Rescue (SAR): Be available to provide ground support and refuelling services for Search
and Rescue (SAR) helicopter operations when required by the Irish Coast Guard.

Key Requirements:

• Reliable, diligent, conscientiousness and self-motivated person
• Technical background - possess a good standard of technical and administrative skills
• Hold a full current clean Driving Licence
• Reside within 1 hours driving time of Castletownbere Helipad
• Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack on our website for further information on the role and requirements - https://www.irishlights.ie/who-we-are/vacancies.aspx

Closing date is Tuesday, 21 June 2022. Please send CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected]

Irish Lights is recruiting for a Senior Operations Officer (SOO) to fill a challenging and rewarding role on board their multi-purpose DP 1 vessel, Granuaile.

THE SHIP
ILV Granuaile is a multifunctional vessel that primarily operates in the waters around the coast of the Island of Ireland. Its primary function is to place and service offshore buoys, which warn mariners of the location of sand banks, reefs and other offshore hazards near shipping routes. The vessel also serves as a helicopter platform for servicing offshore lighthouses and is available to assist State agencies with search and rescue, emergency towing, oil pollution control, surveying and offshore data collection.

THE ROLE
The SOO supports the Master in all elements of Ship Administration, Safety Management and Service Operations. The role is responsible for managing the crew and junior deck officers and holds a navigation watch when necessary. The SOO plays a major role in the practical supervision of all deck maintenance and service operations including replenishment of stations and maintenance of buoys and moorings and has an important role in charter operations.

THE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have offshore experience and hold a valid STCW Unlimited Masters Certificate and full valid DP certification. Excellent seamanship and navigation skills are necessary, together with a working knowledge of statute and regulations. The ability to communicate at all levels and excellent communication skills are also essential.

An attractive salary, time on time off roster and pension scheme is available. Please click here to view the Candidate Briefing Pack for further information on the role and requirements. Please note that Irish Lights only pay for travel expenses incurred within the island of Ireland.

The closing date for applications is the close of business on Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Please apply by emailing a CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected]

Please view Irish Lights Job Applicant Privacy Notice on our website.

Merseyside shipyard Cammell Laird continues to enjoy a busy 2022 with a range of commercial vessels visiting its facilities for extensive programmes of works.

In the same month that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace visited the Birkenhead based shipyard to unveil the new National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh, Cammell Laird completed several dry dockings and ship repair projects.

Ro-Ro passenger ship MV Hebrides departed no. 6 drydock on Wednesday, March 21 following an extensive overhaul and repair programme, which included the replacement of its sewage treatment plant, and the replacement of its fast rescue boat davits. The vessel is operated by CalMac and connects the Scottish isles of Skye and Harris.

The Stena Adventurer, a Ro-Pax ship owned by Stena Line, has returned to Cammell Laird for a large package of repair and overhaul works, which included the application of a new paint system. The ferry is one of two vessels, which operates on Stena Line’s Holyhead-Dublin route and makes two crossing per day. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,500 passengers and 500 cars.

LM Constructor, a working barge, arrived in no. 5 drydock on Friday March 25th for five-year survey works. Built in the Netherlands in 1983, LM Constructor is a general-purpose vessel suitable for a wide range of inshore projects.

The Belgian tug Zeebrugge, is the latest vessel to depart Cammell Laird following a 16-day docking period for repair and overhaul works.

In January, Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel the ILV Granuaile docked at Cammell Laird. The multifunctional vessel, which services offshore buoys and is used for search and rescue missions, underwent general drydocking works for maintenance and repair including painting. (See CIL's Scottish counterpart vessel NLV Pharos at H&W Belfast).

Another tug, Svitzer Milgarth also docked in January for general drydock works including port and starboard aquamaster shaft seal removal, and general inspections.

The third CalMac vessel of the season, MV Clansman arrived in no.6 drydock in January also, for an extensive programme of overhaul and repair works including the removal and replacement of the sewage treatment plant and tail shaft works.

Mike Hill, Managing Director at Cammell Laird said: “It has been fantastic to see all of our ship repair facilities being used during this busy period".

“The recent works we have carried out highlights the demand of Cammell Laird and its highly skilled workforce. We look forward to welcoming our returning and new customers to the facility over the coming months.”

Irish Lights is recruiting for an Engineering Operations Manager (Chief Engineer) for a challenging and rewarding management role on board their multi-purpose DP 1 vessel, Granuaile.

THE SHIP
ILV Granuaile is a multifunctional vessel that primarily operates in the waters around the coast of the Island of Ireland. Its primary function is to place and service offshore buoys, which warn mariners of the location of sandbanks, reefs and other offshore hazards near shipping routes. The vessel also serves as a helicopter platform for servicing offshore lighthouses and is available to assist State agencies with search and rescue, emergency towing, oil pollution control, surveying and offshore data collection.

THE ROLE
In addition to the normal duties of a Chief Engineer, the successful candidate is required to fulfil a proactive management role with responsibilities for the ships technical superintendence, refit/drydock planning, and Class survey as well as work associated with Aids to Navigation support and charter work.

THE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should have experience in Continuous Survey certification and hold a Chief Engineer STCW A-III/2 Unlimited Certificate. Previous experience in the role of Chief Engineer on similar vessels is essential in addition to the essential criteria listed in the Candidate Briefing Pack.

This role will require a person who is confident, articulate and self-motivated. They need to be a problem solver with solid leadership qualities and keen to take responsibility.

They will also have strong collaborative and flexible attributes that reflect the particular requirements of this senior role. Due to the nature of the propulsion, navigation and management systems on board the ship, candidates will be expected to be proficient in dealing with electronic and power management systems.

An attractive salary, time on time off roster and pension scheme is available. Please visit our website to view the Candidate Briefing Pack for further information on the role and requirements here

The closing date for applications is Friday, 8 April 2022. Please apply by emailing a CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected]

Please view the Irish Lights Job Applicant Privacy Notice on the company website.

Met Éireann and Irish Lights are pleased to announce a joint collaboration that will enhance our understanding of Irish Coastal Waters, with the aim of improving safety for coastal inhabitants and mariners.

Safety of the mariner and the public has been at the heart of Irish Lights and Met Éireann since their establishment over 235 and 85 years ago respectively. The seas around the island of Ireland are changing due to the impact of climate change and both organisations are adapting by developing new additional services. In line with the government’s Climate Action Plan and The Status of Ireland’s Climate Report 2020, a better understanding of our adjacent seas is needed including the wave conditions around the Irish coast.

Launching on 1st February, St. Brigid’s Day, the Patron Saint of Sailors, the trial will involve adapting existing navigation buoys operated by Irish Lights with new wave sensors, providing quality controlled near real-time meteorological and hydrographic data for the benefit of stakeholders in coastal areas.

Map of Wave Buoy Deployment and Irish Lights Buoy Network

Ronan Boyle, Director of eNavigation & Maritime Services for Irish Lights, said: “Irish Lights is delighted to support this trial with Met Éireann, which is closely aligned with our Vision of protecting lives, property, trade and the environment by delivering next generation maritime services. We look forward to a successful completion of the trial period and a possible future expansion of this monitoring network for the safety of all”.

The data from Irish Lights navigation buoys will be used by Met Éireann’s Flood Forecasting Division to develop coastal predictive modelling systems for tidal, storm surge and wave forecasting for Ireland. The acquisition of near-real-time data will prove beneficial to the Flood Forecasting Division before, during and after coastal flood events. This meteorological and hydrographic information provided by Irish Lights will support stakeholders to make impact-based decisions and take actions that protect against the loss of life and to mitigate against damage to property and the environment.

Rosemarie Lawlor, Hydrometeorologist at Met Éireann said: “This important capacity-building collaboration is an exciting first step in building on our understanding of Irish seas and coasts and continues the essential work of improving safety of our coastal and marine areas”

The four Irish Lights navigation buoys which are part of the trial are Ballybunnion buoy (Shannon Estuary)*, Finnis buoy (Galway Bay), South Hunter buoy (Larne) and Splaugh buoy (Rosslare)

The project is divided into three stages:

• Procurement & Testing,
• Deployment, and
• Trial.

As part of stage one Met Éireann procured and provided Irish Lights with wave sensors, data loggers and modems for their navigation buoys. A new quality control process has been developed by Met Éireann in collaboration with Irish Lights and the Marine Institute for testing the data in stage three. Irish Lights have installed, tested and commissioned the sensors on each buoy over recent months to enable the transmission of the data.

Splaugh Buoy on Irish Lights ship ILV Granuaile, ready for installation of new wave sensor

In stage two the equipment was deployed by Irish Lights and we are currently entering stage three, the trial, with data transmission from the buoys initiated. The new sensors are measuring wave height, wave period and wave direction. The data will be tested, verified and quality controlled to ensure it is fit for purpose as part of stage three.

At present this data is openly available in near real-time at the following websites:

Met Éireann - https://www.met.ie/forecasts/marine-inland-lakes/buoys
Irish Lights - https://cilpublic.cil.ie/metocean/

The near real-time wave data will provide current wave conditions at the deployment locations to end-users.

Are you up for the challenge of managing the network of lighthouses around the coast of Ireland? If so, the Commissioners of Irish Lights want to hear from you.

The agency is now recruiting for the role of Coastal Operations and Property Manager, who will be responsible for making sure Ireland’s 65 lighthouses — plus 141 buoys and 22 beacons — are safe to access and use, and maintained and powered sustainably into the future.

Some of Ireland’s lighthouse stations are over 200 years old, and are found in exceptionally beautiful and challenging locations.

But with new communication and navigation equipment as well as powerful LED lights, they continue to provide a vital service to mariners and increasingly also to local tourism, heritage and environmental protection programmes.

As Coastal Operations and Property Manager, the successful candidate will lead and develop a strategic approach to Irish Lights property and aids to navigation (AtoN) asset management.

Among their many responsibilities, they will manage a team of over 20 employees, including managers, team leads, technicians and general workers; obtain relevant planning and environmental consents for capital and maintenance works; fostering strong stakeholder relationships; and oversee capital projects’ timelines and budgets.

The successful candidate will have at least 10 years’ relevant engineering experience, with at least seven in a team and organisational leadership role.

Previous experience working in a marine environment or with coastal assets, ideally in a civil engineering capacity, is also expected, as are strong people management skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and a cohesive team environment.

Irish Lights offers the opportunity to manage a dynamic and vital operation, as well as leading the coastal operations team into the future. The role also comes with a strong remuneration package as well as a highly competitive pension scheme.

A full candidate briefing pack is available on the Irish Light website. To learn more about this job, email [email protected] or call Jasper Wiley on +353 1 474 4623 and see the job spec page on the Sigmar Recruitment website.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 14 January 2022.