Letter from the Chief Executive
The Commissioners of Irish Lights have been
responsible for providing and managing the system of marine aids to
navigation in Ireland for over two hundred years. Over this time
change has been a constant feature of the Lighthouse Service.
During the nineteenth century power systems and optics changed; in
the twentieth century radio navigation systems were developed, and
the automation of all manned lighthouses was completed by the end
of the century. Today changes are ongoing with the development of
offshore wind farms and the introduction of the Automatic
Identification System (AIS) for shipping, using radio transponder
technology.
Security concerns coupled with an increase in collision risks associated with unmanned offshore oil rigs, wind farms, and fish farms are surely pointing the way to the introduction of some form of traffic management for shipping in coastal waters. Irish Lights' role is centred on physically marking hazards and dangers, and marking safe routes for shipping. There is further scope for the Commissioners to provide key navigation assistance and hazard warnings using AIS technology in an active vessel traffic management system around the coast of Ireland. We believe this new technology is a very powerful means of improving marine safety.
Another area of change in focus at present is a plan to integrate the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire operations of Irish Lights together at our existing premises in Dun Laoghaire. Planning permission has been sought for the redevelopment of the Dun Laoghaire site by our architects Scott Tallon Walker. Details of the development are described in this edition of Beam.
The operational success of ILV Granuaile has prompted a review of the shipping requirements of our sister services in Great Britain. Near replicas of Granuaile have already been ordered by the Middle East Navigation Service in the Persian Gulf. Others are expected for Scotland and for England and Wales in 2004.
Our holiday cottage scheme with the Irish Landmark Trust is growing in scale and popularity with high occupancy rates at these beautifully restored properties at Wicklow Head, Galley Head, Loophead, and Blackhead Co. Antrim. Others will be developed during 2004.
The year 2004 promises to be an exciting year for change and development in Irish Lights. The Board, management, and employees should all benefit through more integration in the Service, and this will enable us to provide an even better service to our customers-the marine industry.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2004.
T. M. Boyd
Chief Executive
Security concerns coupled with an increase in collision risks associated with unmanned offshore oil rigs, wind farms, and fish farms are surely pointing the way to the introduction of some form of traffic management for shipping in coastal waters. Irish Lights' role is centred on physically marking hazards and dangers, and marking safe routes for shipping. There is further scope for the Commissioners to provide key navigation assistance and hazard warnings using AIS technology in an active vessel traffic management system around the coast of Ireland. We believe this new technology is a very powerful means of improving marine safety.
Another area of change in focus at present is a plan to integrate the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire operations of Irish Lights together at our existing premises in Dun Laoghaire. Planning permission has been sought for the redevelopment of the Dun Laoghaire site by our architects Scott Tallon Walker. Details of the development are described in this edition of Beam.
The operational success of ILV Granuaile has prompted a review of the shipping requirements of our sister services in Great Britain. Near replicas of Granuaile have already been ordered by the Middle East Navigation Service in the Persian Gulf. Others are expected for Scotland and for England and Wales in 2004.
Our holiday cottage scheme with the Irish Landmark Trust is growing in scale and popularity with high occupancy rates at these beautifully restored properties at Wicklow Head, Galley Head, Loophead, and Blackhead Co. Antrim. Others will be developed during 2004.
The year 2004 promises to be an exciting year for change and development in Irish Lights. The Board, management, and employees should all benefit through more integration in the Service, and this will enable us to provide an even better service to our customers-the marine industry.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2004.
T. M. Boyd
Chief Executive