Safety at Sea
Capt. J.J. Hickey Inspector of Lights & Marine
Superintendent
MY article in last year's Beam was about change and its impact
on different areas of the Marine Department's operations. Change
continues in order to ensure the provision of the right level of
service in the interest of marine and navigational safety around
our coast.
The importance of an efficient and effective marine navigation infrastructure for an island community such as ours cannot be over-emphasised. It goes further than simply meeting the obligations of international agreements, to recognising the imperative of safety of life at sea for all mariners - merchant-men, leisure-users, fishermen, and the growing seaborne passenger traffic - taking account also of the need to protect our coastal environment.
Stone at Loophead Lighthouse commemorating Mary Robinson's Presidency of Ireland (photo: Capt. Kieran O'Higgins)
Over recent years marine accidents causing pollution on sensitive coastlines have sharpened public and governmental awareness. Legislation has been placed on the statute books to enforce standards of safety, and ensure swift deployment of resources to prevent and contain potential environmental damage from such disasters.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights Bill currently being enacted by the Irish Government, and the Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 in the United Kingdom, together with the increased capability and potential of the planned vessel to replace ilt Granuaile, will significantly improve the security of the Irish marine environment by allowing the application of new resources if and when required.
This leads me to two very important developments in my Department within the last year. These are the application of the International Safety Management Code (ISM), and the progress of the tender replacement programme.
International Safety Management
The International Maritime Organisation, an agency of the United Nations, has adopted a Code of Safety Management to be applied throughout the shipping industry worldwide. This Code is very closely related to the International Standards Organisation quality management system but focuses on safe ship operations and avoidance of marine pollution. While the requirement to comply with the Code does not yet apply to our lighthouse tender, it has been decided to embark upon the process early to gain the advantage in safety management offered by compliance. The analysis of our operations and the compilation of manuals and procedures is ongoing and I expect ilt Granuaile to be compliant in mid-1998.
New Ship
The design specification for a replacement lighthouse/buoy tender has been completed. There was widespread consultation on our requirements, especially in trying to forecast how our operations will evolve in the next millennium.
Various shipbuilding yards have been invited to tender for the construction of this vessel. After receipt and assessment of tenders, the sanction of the Government Departments of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will be needed before the contract can be signed and commencement of building.
Granuaile
The Granuaile continues to serve us well. She is now 27 years old, and while her hull is sound, there are increasing problems of general wear and tear and in obtaining spare parts. That said, she delivers a good service and congratulations are due to her Officers and Ratings in embracing new work practices which continue to maintain and improve her efficiency in servicing Aids to Navigation.
Inter-GLA
Inter-General Lighthouse Authority co-operation continues with Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board. The Mermaid and Pharos have become familiar sights in most coastal areas. For the first time also, the Patricia helped us operationally in October.
Helicopter Operations
The helicopter service has continued normally. There were changes of structure and personnel of Irish Helicopters Ltd in mid-1997, but these have not affected the level of service provided. A new three-year helicopter service contract, to commence April 1998, is now out for tender.
A new helicopter fuelling system installed at Rosslare was commissioned by Capt. Kieran O'Higgins in November, and a similar system at Baily Lighthouse is nearing completion.
Public Relations
The Marine Department has responsibility for the publication of Beam, our information brochure For the Safety of All, and the Irish Lights website but we also participate in exhibitions, assist museums and heritage centres, and take part in functions which inform the public about our Service
On Trinity Sunday, 25 May, a commemorative mass was celebrated in St John the Baptist's Church, Kinsale to mark the end of traditional lightkeeping around our coast. A wreath was laid at the Seamen's Memorial by Capt. George Ball, Commander, and Paddy Hogan, Seaman, ilt Granuaile. Tribute was paid to the work of Lightkeepers and Lighthouse Tender Crews in the provision of assistance to mariners.
On the 12th September a ceremony to mark the end of Mary Robinson's term of office as President of Ireland was held at Loophead. A commemorative stone was unveiled by Tom McInerney, Attendant of Loophead Lighthouse.
As part of European Heritage Open Days, St John's Point Lighthouse, Co Down was opened to visitors on the weekend of 13th-14th September. Over 1,000 members of the public visited the station. Thanks are due to the Attendant, Henry Henvey, assisted by John Noel Crowley, retired Principal Keeper, who acted as guides. Events such as these raise our profile as an organisation which serves the mariner and whose job description is Safety at Sea.
Tommy Cecil
Members of my Department and colleagues throughout the Service were shocked at the tragic death of Cecil, Attendant of Rathlin East and Rue Point Lighthouses, in a diving accident on 21st September 1997. Our sympathy goes to his widow Mary and the other members of his family.
The importance of an efficient and effective marine navigation infrastructure for an island community such as ours cannot be over-emphasised. It goes further than simply meeting the obligations of international agreements, to recognising the imperative of safety of life at sea for all mariners - merchant-men, leisure-users, fishermen, and the growing seaborne passenger traffic - taking account also of the need to protect our coastal environment.
Stone at Loophead Lighthouse commemorating Mary Robinson's Presidency of Ireland (photo: Capt. Kieran O'Higgins)
Over recent years marine accidents causing pollution on sensitive coastlines have sharpened public and governmental awareness. Legislation has been placed on the statute books to enforce standards of safety, and ensure swift deployment of resources to prevent and contain potential environmental damage from such disasters.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights Bill currently being enacted by the Irish Government, and the Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 in the United Kingdom, together with the increased capability and potential of the planned vessel to replace ilt Granuaile, will significantly improve the security of the Irish marine environment by allowing the application of new resources if and when required.
This leads me to two very important developments in my Department within the last year. These are the application of the International Safety Management Code (ISM), and the progress of the tender replacement programme.
International Safety Management
The International Maritime Organisation, an agency of the United Nations, has adopted a Code of Safety Management to be applied throughout the shipping industry worldwide. This Code is very closely related to the International Standards Organisation quality management system but focuses on safe ship operations and avoidance of marine pollution. While the requirement to comply with the Code does not yet apply to our lighthouse tender, it has been decided to embark upon the process early to gain the advantage in safety management offered by compliance. The analysis of our operations and the compilation of manuals and procedures is ongoing and I expect ilt Granuaile to be compliant in mid-1998.
New Ship
The design specification for a replacement lighthouse/buoy tender has been completed. There was widespread consultation on our requirements, especially in trying to forecast how our operations will evolve in the next millennium.
Various shipbuilding yards have been invited to tender for the construction of this vessel. After receipt and assessment of tenders, the sanction of the Government Departments of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will be needed before the contract can be signed and commencement of building.
Granuaile
The Granuaile continues to serve us well. She is now 27 years old, and while her hull is sound, there are increasing problems of general wear and tear and in obtaining spare parts. That said, she delivers a good service and congratulations are due to her Officers and Ratings in embracing new work practices which continue to maintain and improve her efficiency in servicing Aids to Navigation.
Inter-GLA
Inter-General Lighthouse Authority co-operation continues with Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board. The Mermaid and Pharos have become familiar sights in most coastal areas. For the first time also, the Patricia helped us operationally in October.
Helicopter Operations
The helicopter service has continued normally. There were changes of structure and personnel of Irish Helicopters Ltd in mid-1997, but these have not affected the level of service provided. A new three-year helicopter service contract, to commence April 1998, is now out for tender.
A new helicopter fuelling system installed at Rosslare was commissioned by Capt. Kieran O'Higgins in November, and a similar system at Baily Lighthouse is nearing completion.
Public Relations
The Marine Department has responsibility for the publication of Beam, our information brochure For the Safety of All, and the Irish Lights website but we also participate in exhibitions, assist museums and heritage centres, and take part in functions which inform the public about our Service
On Trinity Sunday, 25 May, a commemorative mass was celebrated in St John the Baptist's Church, Kinsale to mark the end of traditional lightkeeping around our coast. A wreath was laid at the Seamen's Memorial by Capt. George Ball, Commander, and Paddy Hogan, Seaman, ilt Granuaile. Tribute was paid to the work of Lightkeepers and Lighthouse Tender Crews in the provision of assistance to mariners.
On the 12th September a ceremony to mark the end of Mary Robinson's term of office as President of Ireland was held at Loophead. A commemorative stone was unveiled by Tom McInerney, Attendant of Loophead Lighthouse.
As part of European Heritage Open Days, St John's Point Lighthouse, Co Down was opened to visitors on the weekend of 13th-14th September. Over 1,000 members of the public visited the station. Thanks are due to the Attendant, Henry Henvey, assisted by John Noel Crowley, retired Principal Keeper, who acted as guides. Events such as these raise our profile as an organisation which serves the mariner and whose job description is Safety at Sea.
Tommy Cecil
Members of my Department and colleagues throughout the Service were shocked at the tragic death of Cecil, Attendant of Rathlin East and Rue Point Lighthouses, in a diving accident on 21st September 1997. Our sympathy goes to his widow Mary and the other members of his family.