IN SALUTING the last Lightkeepers of our Service, last year's edition of Beam properly recognised their undoubted contribution and the end of the era of manned lighthouses around our coasts. The articles which followed were in sympathy with this theme and looked back at our Service in times past, its people and equipment. In this year's edition we have placed greater emphasis on current changes and future developments. As the Head of Department responsible for the biggest single capital programme ever undertaken by this Service--the construction and deployment of a new Aids to Navigation Service Vessel--it is understandable that my efforts will focus on current projects and plans.
New Ship
Having completed the assessments of the build tenders referred to in last year's edition, approval was received to proceed with the award of contract for the new ship construction. On 11 March 1998 the contract was signed and, with some ceremony, sealed with the Official Seal of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. This brought to a close a very intense and demanding phase of the new ship procurement process from which I took great satisfaction. It was also a very demanding period of work for me and, particularly, for the staff in my department who deserve great credit and congratulation.
Navigation Review
Another major focus this year was the completion, with our sister Services in Northern Lights and Trinity House, of a Joint Review of Naviga-tional Requirements. Under the Inter-national Maritime Organisation's Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (solas), member states are required to provide an adequate Aids to Navigation service. For the first time the three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) whose combined area of responsibility covers the sea areas of Ireland and Great Britain, have co-ordinated their assessments of the levels of service necessary to satisfy these requirements. The Review covers the period up to 2005 and its main recommen-dations were completed and published in July 1998. It is worth mentioning that navigational requirements are not absolute and can be expected to change with circumstances over time. Changes in volume or type of traffic, together with changes in navigation technology, oblige us to be ready to adapt quickly to the needs of our customers. While it is agreed that this Joint Review shall be conducted at approximately 5 year intervals, each of the three GLAs remains ready to incorporate changes to Aids to Navigation in their own areas where the required level of service demands, or where economies can be achieved.
User Consultation
The consultation with users carried out in the course of the Review lead to some predictable and some less predictable responses. One of the latter was the increased emphasis placed by users on short-range conventional Aids to Navigation.
Major Developments in Navigational Aids
The most important single new development in the provision of Aids to Navigation to occur in 1998 was the establishment of the Differential Global Positioning System (dgps) service provided in the areas of the three GLAs. The purpose of this service is to provide enhanced accuracy and integrity to users of the US military controlled and operated satellite positioning system. The Radiobeacons at Tory Island, Loop Head and Mizen Head combine with stations operated by the other two GLAs to provide a dgps accuracy of better than 10 metres and full coverage within 50 miles of the coast in the joint area of jurisdiction. Daytime and night-time leading lights were established in the mouth of the Shannon at Corlis Point. The Taylor Rock Buoy off Lambay Island was lighted. Racons (Radar beacons) were established at Bull Rock and Slyne Head, and the racon at Mizen Head was discontinued. And, finally, notice was issued of the closure in February 1999 of all Medium Frequency Radio Direction Finding Beacons
Ship Operations
ILT Granuaile underwent a major drydocking, survey and certificate renewal in Falmouth in April and continues to operate very reliably in spite of her 28 years' service.
ISM Code
Progress is continuing towards compliance audit for International Safety Management Code which is scheduled for February 1999.
GLA intervention
Once again this year we were grateful to the Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House vessels, Pharos and Mermaid for help in completing our tender work schedule. It is hoped that this planned assistance will no longer be required when our new ship is fully commissioned.
Tall Ships
We were very pleased that the Granuaile was involved in the Parade of Sail for the Tall Ships event in Dublin in 1998. A Family Day was held on Granuaile when those aboard had the pleasure of close encounters with some of the square riggers under sail.
Helicopter Operations
A new three-year Helicopter Service Contract with Irish Helicopters Ltd commenced on 1 April 1998, continuing a relationship which began in October 1969. The future prospects for increased operational co-ordination between the helicopter and the new ship for routine and special service work is very exciting.
People
While mentioning capital prog-ramme items such as the new ship and new Aids to Navigation services, I feel obliged to remark that the greatest asset of this service is its people. In that regard, the Service and Marine Operations in particular suffered a great loss recently with the death of Aidan Foley, Attendant Master Conningbeg. Aidan's professional competence, his quiet manner and warm smile was an example to us all. We share his loss with his family and community in South Wexford.
Shannon Estuary Ports
Harbour Office
Limerick
As the responsible officer for navigational safety within the Shannon Estuary, I would like to place on record that the commissioning of Corlis Leading Lights will in no small way greatly improve the safety of approach to the Estuary for all vessels.
The importance of these lights to the goal of providing a Port of Refuge to vessels in distress in the North Eastern sector of the Atlantic cannot be underestimated.
Mariners have all commented very favourably on the establishment of the lights, and view the installation very positively in terms of additional safety for vessels entering and departing the Estuary.
These lights contribute to the safety of all approaching vessels by reducing reliance upon sometimes poorly calibrated shipborne radars and upon floating marks. It is now easier for Panamax vessels, in our frequent bad weather, to safely approach the sheltered anchorage if a Pilot cannot board. The entry of Cape sized vessels has been made very much safer through the establishment of these lights which now precisely delineate the channel. Last but not least, even coastal traffic approaching in very bad weather with heavy seas running can now enter the Estuary in safety.
Well done to everyone involved. I now sleep easier!
Yours sincerely,
Captain Alan Coghlan, Harbour Master.