MANY changes have taken place in the world of Aids to Navigation since the Commissioners of Irish Lights were established. Perhaps the most significant event occurred during 1997. The 31st March 1997 will be recorded as a very historic day for Irish Lights. On this day the last manned Irish lighthouse was automated. We all regret the passing of the manned lighthouses. The special concerns of Lightkeepers for the well-being of mariners will never be replaced by the automated equipment.

A special function to mark this occasion and to thank all the Lightkeepers for their contribution to the safety of mariners was held in Dun Laoghaire during April and was a great success.

During 1997 a number of important developments have taken place. The Merchant Shipping (Commissioners of Irish Lights) Bill, 1997 has been passed and the Commissioners now have power to engage in a wider field of operational functions, subject to Ministerial approval. The Bill gives legal force to the radio navigation services provided by Irish Lights for many years and to buoy contracts with harbour authorities.

Considerable time has been devoted to the design of a replacement ship for Granuaile. The bids for the new multifunction Aids to Navigation Service Ship are due early in December. We are all excited at the new design and look forward to the launch of our new vessel early in 1999.

Radio navigation systems continue to develop at a rapid pace. The three General Lighthouse Authorities plan to implement a differential gps (global positioning system) service using existing radiobeacons during 1998. The North European Loran System is now almost completed. Plans are advanced to test a new system called Eurofix which combines Loran-C and gps to give very precise positional accuracy and integrity checks on gps performance.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Beam.

I wish you a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 1998.

T. M. BOYD,
Chief Executive