Team Works
Captain J. J. Hickey,
Inspector of Lights & Marine Superintendent
The design challenge for the new Granuaile was to specify and build a ship which would be ready and able for change in the requirements of a twenty first century Lighthouse Service. It was realised that simply introducing a new vessel alone, without modernised operational and management systems, would be self defeating and frustrate any real progress.
The impending arrival of the new ship was, therefore, the impetus for a sweeping re-invention of the way we conduct our everyday business in the Marine Department, and a review of how we relate with other sections of the Service. This was to ensure that we are strong and fit for the changes and challenges the future will undoubtedly bring.
It could be said that the new Service vessel design process, and all that it brought with it, was the beginning of Service renewal generally. The implementation of a new maintenance management strategy for the engineering functions of aids to navigation design and operation is a continuation of this renewal process.
In our marine operations we can look forward with confidence to playing a full and vigorous role in the changes this new strategy will bring. We are committed to continuing to improve the services we provide and to seeking new opportunities wherever they arise.
Granuaile with lightfloat and high focal plane buoy at South Rock station.
Combined Ship and Helicopter Operations-Integrated Transport
This changing rôle is already happening, typified by an increasing level of project support work in which the ship and helicopter combine for the purpose of transporting to off-shore stations the plant and materials required for solarisation and other major construction projects.
A milestone was reached in November 2001 when 70 tonnes of materials were landed on Mew Island and Maidens Rock. The operation was well planned and efficiently executed. Helicopter flying time was much reduced by the ability of Granuaile to refuel the aircraft as required within the operation. The combination of station Attendants, coast civil staff, ship's crew, and non Service contractors, working together as a single team with Irish Helicopters Ltd pilot Captain Mick Conneely proved very effective and 153 lifts were completed in just under six hours.
Kittiwake Mini-Refit
A similar approach was planned for maintenance of one of the automated lightfloats, where a mini refit was carried out on the lightfloat at sea using Granuaile as the maintenance and logistics platform. The previous maintenance regime for lightfloats was based on keeping a spare vessel and placing vessels on the South Rock and Coningbeg stations in rotation, with the spare vessel most recently taken off station undergoing a major drydocking every six years. This resulted in a large list of repairs which was time consuming and expensive. The new method under trial is based on eliminating the need for a spare vessel and shortening the refit and repair cycle to three years with a ship assisted on-station mini refit in year two.
The first of these mini refits occurred in September 2001. A Notice to Mariners was published giving advance warning of the temporary removal of Kittiwake from the South Rock station and its replacement by a high focal plane navigation buoy fitted with a Racon (radar transponder beacon).
Granuaile crew with assistance from Depot engineering staff and Attendant Master Sammy Clint, his Assistant Gabriel Rogers, and our contract boatmen, completed the entire worklist which entailed a wash down, repainting topsides and daymark, overhauling running gear and moorings, and had the lightfloat back on station in a little over three days. This was an extremely successful operation and another example of professional teamwork within the Service.
Aids to Navigation Services
The annual meeting of our Users' Consultative Committee met in September 2001 to review developments in the provision of aids to navigation services and new directions for the future. The attendance at the meeting was the best I have experienced in my tenure and the same can be said for the broad ranging and excellent discussions held. The feed-back we receive from user consultation such as this is invaluable in ensuring that we provide the correct level of general navigation service to mariners.
DGPS System Improvement
The differential correction and integrity service for the US satellite Global Positioning System provided by the three Lighthouse Authorities for Ireland and Great Britain has undergone an improvement programme involving changes to frequency, range, and coverage as indicated by the jointly published Notice to Mariners No. 4 (2001). The Users' Consultative Committee was advised that while the changes notified were effectively accomplished, it had come to our attention that some receivers were unable to recognise the new frequencies. This is due to receiver software and memory problems and can be easily rectified. Users were advised to consult their suppliers if in any doubt.
Experimental Superbuoy
The technical work and observational trials of the Black Rock buoy off the south coast of Co. Wexford continue. As with all development projects, we continue to experience a mixture of setbacks and successes. However, the application of new lantern technology offers considerable optimism for the future. A similar buoy is planned for deployment in the early part of 2002 on the Cork buoy station. Another experiment is currently underway using a lightweight plastic buoy fitted with a new type lantern on the Wicklow Outfall station.
International Festival of the Sea
In August Granuaile attended the International Festival of the Sea at Portsmouth, together with thv Patricia from Trinity House and mv Pole Star from Northern Lights. The visit was to support the combined General Lighthouse Authorities' promotion of the use of spare ship capacity for commercial use. The occasion presented a unique photo opportunity of the three Services' vessels steaming together into Portsmouth Harbour. A pavilion displaying promotional information on the work, statutory responsibilities, and funding of the General Lighthouse Authorities was set up and manned by representatives of the three Services.
The Festival gathered together a truly outstanding number of ships ranging from aircraft carriers and other naval vessels from around the world to merchant vessels and specialist ships such as our own. Aside from the ships on display to the public, the social and entertainment programme for the Festival was breathtaking.
It was not all play however. The crew of Granuaile, who had been busy over the previous week or more using every spare moment to scrub and polish anything on board that didn't move, were kept very busy conducting ship security and public tours. The opportunity was also used to hold a Joint GLA Information Exchange Group meeting, a Marine Operations Management workshop and, when all the work was done, a three Services barbecue on the workdeck of Granuaile.
It was a rare event, blessed by good summer weather and a wonderful success.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all our personnel on the coast and the ship for a very productive year of work. I look forward to even more challenges ahead.
Inspector of Lights & Marine Superintendent
The design challenge for the new Granuaile was to specify and build a ship which would be ready and able for change in the requirements of a twenty first century Lighthouse Service. It was realised that simply introducing a new vessel alone, without modernised operational and management systems, would be self defeating and frustrate any real progress.
The impending arrival of the new ship was, therefore, the impetus for a sweeping re-invention of the way we conduct our everyday business in the Marine Department, and a review of how we relate with other sections of the Service. This was to ensure that we are strong and fit for the changes and challenges the future will undoubtedly bring.
It could be said that the new Service vessel design process, and all that it brought with it, was the beginning of Service renewal generally. The implementation of a new maintenance management strategy for the engineering functions of aids to navigation design and operation is a continuation of this renewal process.
In our marine operations we can look forward with confidence to playing a full and vigorous role in the changes this new strategy will bring. We are committed to continuing to improve the services we provide and to seeking new opportunities wherever they arise.
Granuaile with lightfloat and high focal plane buoy at South Rock station.
Combined Ship and Helicopter Operations-Integrated Transport
This changing rôle is already happening, typified by an increasing level of project support work in which the ship and helicopter combine for the purpose of transporting to off-shore stations the plant and materials required for solarisation and other major construction projects.
A milestone was reached in November 2001 when 70 tonnes of materials were landed on Mew Island and Maidens Rock. The operation was well planned and efficiently executed. Helicopter flying time was much reduced by the ability of Granuaile to refuel the aircraft as required within the operation. The combination of station Attendants, coast civil staff, ship's crew, and non Service contractors, working together as a single team with Irish Helicopters Ltd pilot Captain Mick Conneely proved very effective and 153 lifts were completed in just under six hours.
Kittiwake Mini-Refit
A similar approach was planned for maintenance of one of the automated lightfloats, where a mini refit was carried out on the lightfloat at sea using Granuaile as the maintenance and logistics platform. The previous maintenance regime for lightfloats was based on keeping a spare vessel and placing vessels on the South Rock and Coningbeg stations in rotation, with the spare vessel most recently taken off station undergoing a major drydocking every six years. This resulted in a large list of repairs which was time consuming and expensive. The new method under trial is based on eliminating the need for a spare vessel and shortening the refit and repair cycle to three years with a ship assisted on-station mini refit in year two.
The first of these mini refits occurred in September 2001. A Notice to Mariners was published giving advance warning of the temporary removal of Kittiwake from the South Rock station and its replacement by a high focal plane navigation buoy fitted with a Racon (radar transponder beacon).
Granuaile crew with assistance from Depot engineering staff and Attendant Master Sammy Clint, his Assistant Gabriel Rogers, and our contract boatmen, completed the entire worklist which entailed a wash down, repainting topsides and daymark, overhauling running gear and moorings, and had the lightfloat back on station in a little over three days. This was an extremely successful operation and another example of professional teamwork within the Service.
Aids to Navigation Services
The annual meeting of our Users' Consultative Committee met in September 2001 to review developments in the provision of aids to navigation services and new directions for the future. The attendance at the meeting was the best I have experienced in my tenure and the same can be said for the broad ranging and excellent discussions held. The feed-back we receive from user consultation such as this is invaluable in ensuring that we provide the correct level of general navigation service to mariners.
DGPS System Improvement
The differential correction and integrity service for the US satellite Global Positioning System provided by the three Lighthouse Authorities for Ireland and Great Britain has undergone an improvement programme involving changes to frequency, range, and coverage as indicated by the jointly published Notice to Mariners No. 4 (2001). The Users' Consultative Committee was advised that while the changes notified were effectively accomplished, it had come to our attention that some receivers were unable to recognise the new frequencies. This is due to receiver software and memory problems and can be easily rectified. Users were advised to consult their suppliers if in any doubt.
Experimental Superbuoy
The technical work and observational trials of the Black Rock buoy off the south coast of Co. Wexford continue. As with all development projects, we continue to experience a mixture of setbacks and successes. However, the application of new lantern technology offers considerable optimism for the future. A similar buoy is planned for deployment in the early part of 2002 on the Cork buoy station. Another experiment is currently underway using a lightweight plastic buoy fitted with a new type lantern on the Wicklow Outfall station.
International Festival of the Sea
In August Granuaile attended the International Festival of the Sea at Portsmouth, together with thv Patricia from Trinity House and mv Pole Star from Northern Lights. The visit was to support the combined General Lighthouse Authorities' promotion of the use of spare ship capacity for commercial use. The occasion presented a unique photo opportunity of the three Services' vessels steaming together into Portsmouth Harbour. A pavilion displaying promotional information on the work, statutory responsibilities, and funding of the General Lighthouse Authorities was set up and manned by representatives of the three Services.
The Festival gathered together a truly outstanding number of ships ranging from aircraft carriers and other naval vessels from around the world to merchant vessels and specialist ships such as our own. Aside from the ships on display to the public, the social and entertainment programme for the Festival was breathtaking.
It was not all play however. The crew of Granuaile, who had been busy over the previous week or more using every spare moment to scrub and polish anything on board that didn't move, were kept very busy conducting ship security and public tours. The opportunity was also used to hold a Joint GLA Information Exchange Group meeting, a Marine Operations Management workshop and, when all the work was done, a three Services barbecue on the workdeck of Granuaile.
It was a rare event, blessed by good summer weather and a wonderful success.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all our personnel on the coast and the ship for a very productive year of work. I look forward to even more challenges ahead.