The Electronic Age
Seamus Doyle, Head of Engineering
Travelling on the train from Dublin to Cork it is possible to
contact the office on mobile phone while looking at the IALA web
site in Paris or sending e-mail to your best friend in Australia.
Sitting in Fastnet Rock Lighthouse it is possible to participate in
a meeting in Dublin using video-conference with a laptop and
web-cam. Standing on the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare it is a
simple matter to text a picture of the spectacular scenery to your
cousin in Canada. Walking in the mountains you know your position
to within a few metres using a hand held GPS receiver. This modern
technology is now taken for granted.
The technology revolution is also evident in the provision of aids to navigation. Irish Lights strongly endorses the concept of e-navigation, defined by IALA (the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) as the collection, integration, and display of maritime information onboard and ashore by electronic means, to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services, safety and security at sea, and protection of the marine environment. This strategy is reflected in the current modernisation projects.
The increasing use of electronic aids and GPS reduces the need for long range lights, and we are reducing the range of traditional high powered lights to meet present needs. At offshore stations this can allow conversion from diesel generator power to photovoltaic solar power. At the other end of the scale there is often a need to increase the range of short range lights such as those on buoys.
The familiar filament lamp is being replaced with light emitting diode (LED) light sources giving greater range and life with lower energy consumption. The need for high-powered fog signals has diminished over the years, with many fog signals discontinued and others reduced in power. Automatic Identification System (AIS) aids to navigation are being deployed to provide integrated situation and navigation displays on the bridge.
Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse
This major headland station is one of the most important aids to navigation on the south coast of Ireland. It is a landfall light for vessels bound for Cork and ports to the east from the south and south-east, while serving as the principal turning point and recognition mark for passing traffic en route from Fastnet to Hook Head. The station has undergone major refurbishment to provide reliable operation for the next 20 years.
The existing first order rotating biform optic lens has been retained, with a single low energy Phillips CDM-T 150 watt discharge lamp fitted in each tier, reducing the range of the light from a nominal 25 to 20 nautical miles. The four nautical mile CEFA fog signal was removed and replaced with a 24 volt dc operated two mile type SA850/4 system, controlled by a Birral fog detector. This improvement in energy efficiency allowed for the removal of the existing mains-fail diesel generator. A duplicated battery and charger arrangement was installed, comprising two sealed 800 ampere-hour batteries and 70 amp. chargers which will run the station systems for four days if the utility mains supply fails. A Datac 932 monitoring system was installed to monitor the aids to navigation, and information is passed to the Telemetry Monitoring Centre at Dun Laoghaire by telephone line. An AIS transponder has also been fitted to provide a useful fixed reference and indication of the status of the aids to navigation to AIS equipped vessels.
Dunmore East Lighthouse
Refurbishment of Dunmore East Lighthouse was completed at the end of March 2006. The existing catadioptric cylindrical lens has been retained, and the 1000 watt L11 filament lamp was replaced by a cluster of four 24 volt 250 watt M33 halogen lamps flashing together and controlled by an Omron programmable logic controller. The four lamps are run at a low voltage of 18.6v, extending their life and maintaining the existing range of 17 nautical miles (white sector) and 13 nautical miles (red sector). The station is powered from utility mains, and a new mains fail generator set was installed to replace the previous unit which had provided reliable service for the last 25 years. In addition to providing backup power to the Irish Lights aids to navigation, it also supplies the local lighthouse authority breakwater light. A 24 volt 260 ampere-hour Powersafe VRLA battery and charger were installed to power the new Datac 932 monitoring system which passes status information to Dun Laoghaire using the GSM mobile network.
Ballinacourty Lighthouse
The sectored light at Ballinacourty guides vessels past the Point and into the port of Dungarvan. However, as the outer environs of Dungarvan Harbour offer protection from the elements and a convenient anchorage in strong prevailing winds its usage is extended from a harbour entrance light to that of a more versatile aid.
Ballinacourty Lighthouse was electrified in 1963. The standby diesel generator plant had been replaced but little else was done since that time. A major re-equip of the station has now been completed.
The existing catadioptric cylindrical lens has been retained and the three 100 watt lamps have been replaced by a cluster of four 12 volt 35 watt halogen lamps flashing together, controlled by Tideland Omnibus flasher units. The range of the light remains unchanged at 10 nautical miles (white sector) and 8 nautical miles (red and green sectors). The standby diesel generating set, which started in the event of failure of the utility mains, was replace with a duplicated 24 volt battery and charger arrangement, comprising two sealed 330 ampere-hour batteries which will run the station systems for four days if the utility mains supply fails. Additional work comprising the installation of Datac monitoring, intruder alarm, and welfare facilities for visiting personnel was also completed.
Dun Laoghaire West Lighthouse
The obscured sector on Dun Laoghaire West has been removed to improve the visibility of the light for mariners within Dun Laoghaire harbour, and approaching from Dublin.
Major Floating Aids
During refurbishment of Lanby C in Dun Laoghaire, the remote control and monitoring system (RCMS) was upgraded by fitting a Datac 900 remote telemetry unit with 932 processor and replacing the radio link to Wicklow Head Lighthouse with a GSM mobile phone connection directly to the Monitoring Centre in Dun Laoghaire. Vessel position monitoring was upgraded by fitting a Datac 922 remote telemetry unit GPS monitor. The remote telemetry units were linked so that each can reset the other, providing additional redundancy. The refurbished Lanby C was placed on the Arklow station in September 2006 and Lanby A was removed from the station and brought back to Dun Laoghaire.
Following careful consideration of changing traffic patterns, and consultation with mariners, it is planned to replace the Coningbeg Lightfloat with a superbuoy and two first class cardinal buoys in December 2006. This buoyage system is designed to provide a significant improvement in the marking of the rock and shoal hazards in the area off-lying the Saltee Islands for coastal and inshore passage.
Buoys
Lighted buoys have gone through many phases since the days of carbide-water powered lights. Some people may still remember the relief when the dirty job of replenishing carbide on buoys at sea was replaced with pressurised accetylene gas bottles. Since then buoys have been powered with dry batteries, wave activated generators, and now photovoltaic solar arrays.
The project for replacement of steel daymarks on our first and second class buoys with standardised, modular type, aluminium superstructures was completed in 2006. The design brief for this project was to maximise the reliability of the buoy while improving the paint systems. This was achieved by standardising on led lantern technology and providing sufficient solar panels and batteries on the buoy to allow for a no sun reserve period of 60 days. Each solar panel includes an integral voltage regulator which provides additional redundancy in the power system. The project includes discontinuation of whistle fog signals on buoys as they are no longer essential.
Progress in the cost effective maintenance of buoys was further illustrated by the sale of Tarbert Buoy Yard during 2006.
Glandore Beacon
Glandore South-West Beacon was destroyed in a storm in February 2003. Following a comprehensive review of navigational requirements a project was established to fit a replacement lighted beacon on the station. The new beacon was established in March 2006.
The beacon is a 7 metre stainless steel pole with a Vega VLB 48 led lantern providing a starboard hand lateral light. The light is powered by two Solarex 50 watt solar panels which charge an 85 ampere-hour Sonnenschein lead-acid battery, giving a 30 day no sun reserve.
As part of the project the Danger Buoy was withdrawn and the new Sunk Rock Buoy established. The Glandore South-East Perch was also disestablished by removal of the topmark and painting the whole structure grey, while the temporary Glandore South-West buoy was removed.
DGPS
The General Lighthouse Authorities' differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), installed in 1998 and using the radiobeacon transmitters to broadcast the DGPS corrections is nearing the end of its useful life. A joint GLA project to replace the current generation of DGPS equipment has commenced with a detailed study of user requirements in the coming years. Installation of a new DGPS system capable of working with the European Galileo system, upgraded GPS, and the Russian GLONASS system is planned for 2008.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
AIS is a key component of the eNav strategy currently being developed by IALA and the International Maritime Organization. Following the declaration that AIS is an aid to navigation under the Merchant Shipping Act, Irish Lights is putting in place a programme to install aid to navigation AIS transponders at key stations around the coast of Ireland. All SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) vessels of greater than 300 tonnes engaged on international voyages must be fitted with AIS since the end of 2004. While the scope of AIS covers a wide range of applications, including ship to ship and ship to shore, the focus of aid to navigation providers including Irish Lights is the use of AIS as an aid to navigation. AIS allows for a range of aid to navigation functions and Irish Lights has been involved in developing and trialling these over the last two years.
AIS trials in Dublin Bay using transponders on Kish, Baily, ILV Granuaile, and regular trading cargo vessels continue. A new server and AIS monitoring receiver has been fitted at the Baily Lighthouse to test AIS database functionality and as a test bed for AIS trial messages.
The EU Interreg IIIA funded project to assess AIS performance through the provision of AIS capability for the most critical floating aids in the Interreg IIIA area which covers the north and north-east coast of Ireland is progressing well. Six AIS base stations have been installed, at Fanad Head, Rathlin West, Ferris Point, Blackhead Antrim, South Rock Lightfloat, and St John's Point Down. The Datac central monitoring system at Dun Laoghaire is recording live position and status data from five designated Irish Lights buoys-Limeburner, Foyle, South Hunter, Strangford, and Hellyhunter-and forwarding this to the base stations for transmission to provide synthetic AIS capability for these buoys. The Belfast Fairway Buoy has been fitted with an Akari AIS transponder which is being monitored, and the aid to navigation message is being retransmitted by Blackhead Antrim base station. Performance of the system is being assessed through on-going user consultation.
The Met/Hydro phase of the project is well advanced, with Ferris Point being selected as the transmitting base station. The following equipment has been installed as part of this facility:
• Wind speed and direction monitoring equipment at Maidens Lighthouse, with a UHF radio link to bring the data to Ferris Point.
• A waverider buoy measuring wave height, period and direction, has been established in the vicinity of the South Hunter Buoy. Data is transmitted to Ferris Point by radio link.
• Tidal height is being supplied from a tide gauge operated by Port of Larne, and transmitted to Ferris Point by uhf data link.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency AIS network has been declared operational, and provides near 100% coverage of Great British and Northern Irish waters. It is planned to provide a link into this system for the General Lighthouse Authorities which will provide valuable vessel traffic information and integrity monitoring for AIS equipped aids to navigation.
Loran-C
At present there is almost total reliance on the satellite system for electronic position fixing and timing input to many applications including navigation, vessel traffic monitoring, and casualty analysis. There is, however, concern regarding the vulnerability of satellite navigation systems to interference or interruption of service. Loran-C is seen as a possible complimentary system which does not suffer from the same vulnerabilities as GPS and could provide a redundant and complimentary service for positioning, navigation and timing.
The concept of eLoran is now being highlighted where the 'e' stands for enhanced: better accuracy, better timing stability, and better service than the previous generation of Loran-C. With this in mind the US Congress continues to fund Loran research, station upgrades, and the continued operation of Loran stations by the US Coastguard.
In the Far East, the FERNS Loran system is being upgraded by collaboration between China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. The Saudi Arabia Loran chain now has five stations and transmits EUROFIX DGNSS signals via Loran. Although the Northwest European Loran System (NELS) agreement ceased on 1 December 2005, the former NELS stations continue to operate on an ad-hoc basis with Norway, Germany, France, and Denmark continuing to operate the European Loran stations.
A GLA Research and Radio Navigation trial Loran transmitter at Rugby in England is providing excellent results. Many now feel that eLoran, as a component of an integrated system, can compliment satellite systems such as GPS and Galileo as a low cost backup.
Dun Laoghaire development
Implementation of new technology is very evident in the new building at Dun Laoghaire. A more detailed description of progress to date is reported on pages 5-6.
New methods are also being introduced with the implementation of the recommendations of the Integration Project Team. This team was made up of members from all departments and facilitated by Paul Fuller. The team carried out a review to determine the optimum management structure for Irish Lights when single site operation is implemented in Dun Laoghaire. A new Engineering Planning Section under the management of Garry Davis has been set up and is now reviewing the performance of the PEMAC maintenance management system.
A working group study of the potential working arrangements and benefits of annualised hours working arrangements is nearing completion. Stores arrangements are being overhauled with the move to the new stores area.
Over the next year the recommendations will be implemented, leading to more streamlined and cost effective service provision.
Work in progress
The busy schedule of maintenance, refurbishment, and replacement of obsolete systems continues.
Upgrading the generating plant and batteries at Fastnet Rock and Tuskar Rock Lighthouses with introduction of AIS is in progress. Rotten Island was electrified in 1962 and a refurbishment project is at the planning stage. The conversion of Rockabill from diesel generator power to photovoltaic power is nearing completion. Conversion of Eeragh from wind power to solar power will be completed in early 2007. Major re-equip projects at Fanad Head and Dundalk are at the planning stage.
Refurbishment projects are in progress at Blacksod and Chaine Tower. As an energy source, mains power has the lowest operating cost. Little Samphire Island light is at present powered by diesel generating sets and a project to replace these with an ESB supply using a submarine cable is at the design stage.
Under the solarisation programme Straw Island will be converted from wind power to solar power, and updating of Buncrana and Dunree Lighthouses is planned.
Storm damage repairs, routine and breakdown maintenance, painting, and building operations continue to be carried out to ensure that Irish Lights not only meets IALA availability targets but also ensure that our structures, buildings, and heritage are maintained in a cost effective and efficient manner.
My thanks and congratulations to all the Engineering team for a splendid job.
The technology revolution is also evident in the provision of aids to navigation. Irish Lights strongly endorses the concept of e-navigation, defined by IALA (the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) as the collection, integration, and display of maritime information onboard and ashore by electronic means, to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services, safety and security at sea, and protection of the marine environment. This strategy is reflected in the current modernisation projects.
The increasing use of electronic aids and GPS reduces the need for long range lights, and we are reducing the range of traditional high powered lights to meet present needs. At offshore stations this can allow conversion from diesel generator power to photovoltaic solar power. At the other end of the scale there is often a need to increase the range of short range lights such as those on buoys.
The familiar filament lamp is being replaced with light emitting diode (LED) light sources giving greater range and life with lower energy consumption. The need for high-powered fog signals has diminished over the years, with many fog signals discontinued and others reduced in power. Automatic Identification System (AIS) aids to navigation are being deployed to provide integrated situation and navigation displays on the bridge.
Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse
This major headland station is one of the most important aids to navigation on the south coast of Ireland. It is a landfall light for vessels bound for Cork and ports to the east from the south and south-east, while serving as the principal turning point and recognition mark for passing traffic en route from Fastnet to Hook Head. The station has undergone major refurbishment to provide reliable operation for the next 20 years.
The existing first order rotating biform optic lens has been retained, with a single low energy Phillips CDM-T 150 watt discharge lamp fitted in each tier, reducing the range of the light from a nominal 25 to 20 nautical miles. The four nautical mile CEFA fog signal was removed and replaced with a 24 volt dc operated two mile type SA850/4 system, controlled by a Birral fog detector. This improvement in energy efficiency allowed for the removal of the existing mains-fail diesel generator. A duplicated battery and charger arrangement was installed, comprising two sealed 800 ampere-hour batteries and 70 amp. chargers which will run the station systems for four days if the utility mains supply fails. A Datac 932 monitoring system was installed to monitor the aids to navigation, and information is passed to the Telemetry Monitoring Centre at Dun Laoghaire by telephone line. An AIS transponder has also been fitted to provide a useful fixed reference and indication of the status of the aids to navigation to AIS equipped vessels.
Dunmore East Lighthouse
Refurbishment of Dunmore East Lighthouse was completed at the end of March 2006. The existing catadioptric cylindrical lens has been retained, and the 1000 watt L11 filament lamp was replaced by a cluster of four 24 volt 250 watt M33 halogen lamps flashing together and controlled by an Omron programmable logic controller. The four lamps are run at a low voltage of 18.6v, extending their life and maintaining the existing range of 17 nautical miles (white sector) and 13 nautical miles (red sector). The station is powered from utility mains, and a new mains fail generator set was installed to replace the previous unit which had provided reliable service for the last 25 years. In addition to providing backup power to the Irish Lights aids to navigation, it also supplies the local lighthouse authority breakwater light. A 24 volt 260 ampere-hour Powersafe VRLA battery and charger were installed to power the new Datac 932 monitoring system which passes status information to Dun Laoghaire using the GSM mobile network.
Ballinacourty Lighthouse
The sectored light at Ballinacourty guides vessels past the Point and into the port of Dungarvan. However, as the outer environs of Dungarvan Harbour offer protection from the elements and a convenient anchorage in strong prevailing winds its usage is extended from a harbour entrance light to that of a more versatile aid.
Ballinacourty Lighthouse was electrified in 1963. The standby diesel generator plant had been replaced but little else was done since that time. A major re-equip of the station has now been completed.
The existing catadioptric cylindrical lens has been retained and the three 100 watt lamps have been replaced by a cluster of four 12 volt 35 watt halogen lamps flashing together, controlled by Tideland Omnibus flasher units. The range of the light remains unchanged at 10 nautical miles (white sector) and 8 nautical miles (red and green sectors). The standby diesel generating set, which started in the event of failure of the utility mains, was replace with a duplicated 24 volt battery and charger arrangement, comprising two sealed 330 ampere-hour batteries which will run the station systems for four days if the utility mains supply fails. Additional work comprising the installation of Datac monitoring, intruder alarm, and welfare facilities for visiting personnel was also completed.
Dun Laoghaire West Lighthouse
The obscured sector on Dun Laoghaire West has been removed to improve the visibility of the light for mariners within Dun Laoghaire harbour, and approaching from Dublin.
Major Floating Aids
During refurbishment of Lanby C in Dun Laoghaire, the remote control and monitoring system (RCMS) was upgraded by fitting a Datac 900 remote telemetry unit with 932 processor and replacing the radio link to Wicklow Head Lighthouse with a GSM mobile phone connection directly to the Monitoring Centre in Dun Laoghaire. Vessel position monitoring was upgraded by fitting a Datac 922 remote telemetry unit GPS monitor. The remote telemetry units were linked so that each can reset the other, providing additional redundancy. The refurbished Lanby C was placed on the Arklow station in September 2006 and Lanby A was removed from the station and brought back to Dun Laoghaire.
Following careful consideration of changing traffic patterns, and consultation with mariners, it is planned to replace the Coningbeg Lightfloat with a superbuoy and two first class cardinal buoys in December 2006. This buoyage system is designed to provide a significant improvement in the marking of the rock and shoal hazards in the area off-lying the Saltee Islands for coastal and inshore passage.
Buoys
Lighted buoys have gone through many phases since the days of carbide-water powered lights. Some people may still remember the relief when the dirty job of replenishing carbide on buoys at sea was replaced with pressurised accetylene gas bottles. Since then buoys have been powered with dry batteries, wave activated generators, and now photovoltaic solar arrays.
The project for replacement of steel daymarks on our first and second class buoys with standardised, modular type, aluminium superstructures was completed in 2006. The design brief for this project was to maximise the reliability of the buoy while improving the paint systems. This was achieved by standardising on led lantern technology and providing sufficient solar panels and batteries on the buoy to allow for a no sun reserve period of 60 days. Each solar panel includes an integral voltage regulator which provides additional redundancy in the power system. The project includes discontinuation of whistle fog signals on buoys as they are no longer essential.
Progress in the cost effective maintenance of buoys was further illustrated by the sale of Tarbert Buoy Yard during 2006.
Glandore Beacon
Glandore South-West Beacon was destroyed in a storm in February 2003. Following a comprehensive review of navigational requirements a project was established to fit a replacement lighted beacon on the station. The new beacon was established in March 2006.
The beacon is a 7 metre stainless steel pole with a Vega VLB 48 led lantern providing a starboard hand lateral light. The light is powered by two Solarex 50 watt solar panels which charge an 85 ampere-hour Sonnenschein lead-acid battery, giving a 30 day no sun reserve.
As part of the project the Danger Buoy was withdrawn and the new Sunk Rock Buoy established. The Glandore South-East Perch was also disestablished by removal of the topmark and painting the whole structure grey, while the temporary Glandore South-West buoy was removed.
DGPS
The General Lighthouse Authorities' differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), installed in 1998 and using the radiobeacon transmitters to broadcast the DGPS corrections is nearing the end of its useful life. A joint GLA project to replace the current generation of DGPS equipment has commenced with a detailed study of user requirements in the coming years. Installation of a new DGPS system capable of working with the European Galileo system, upgraded GPS, and the Russian GLONASS system is planned for 2008.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
AIS is a key component of the eNav strategy currently being developed by IALA and the International Maritime Organization. Following the declaration that AIS is an aid to navigation under the Merchant Shipping Act, Irish Lights is putting in place a programme to install aid to navigation AIS transponders at key stations around the coast of Ireland. All SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) vessels of greater than 300 tonnes engaged on international voyages must be fitted with AIS since the end of 2004. While the scope of AIS covers a wide range of applications, including ship to ship and ship to shore, the focus of aid to navigation providers including Irish Lights is the use of AIS as an aid to navigation. AIS allows for a range of aid to navigation functions and Irish Lights has been involved in developing and trialling these over the last two years.
AIS trials in Dublin Bay using transponders on Kish, Baily, ILV Granuaile, and regular trading cargo vessels continue. A new server and AIS monitoring receiver has been fitted at the Baily Lighthouse to test AIS database functionality and as a test bed for AIS trial messages.
The EU Interreg IIIA funded project to assess AIS performance through the provision of AIS capability for the most critical floating aids in the Interreg IIIA area which covers the north and north-east coast of Ireland is progressing well. Six AIS base stations have been installed, at Fanad Head, Rathlin West, Ferris Point, Blackhead Antrim, South Rock Lightfloat, and St John's Point Down. The Datac central monitoring system at Dun Laoghaire is recording live position and status data from five designated Irish Lights buoys-Limeburner, Foyle, South Hunter, Strangford, and Hellyhunter-and forwarding this to the base stations for transmission to provide synthetic AIS capability for these buoys. The Belfast Fairway Buoy has been fitted with an Akari AIS transponder which is being monitored, and the aid to navigation message is being retransmitted by Blackhead Antrim base station. Performance of the system is being assessed through on-going user consultation.
The Met/Hydro phase of the project is well advanced, with Ferris Point being selected as the transmitting base station. The following equipment has been installed as part of this facility:
• Wind speed and direction monitoring equipment at Maidens Lighthouse, with a UHF radio link to bring the data to Ferris Point.
• A waverider buoy measuring wave height, period and direction, has been established in the vicinity of the South Hunter Buoy. Data is transmitted to Ferris Point by radio link.
• Tidal height is being supplied from a tide gauge operated by Port of Larne, and transmitted to Ferris Point by uhf data link.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency AIS network has been declared operational, and provides near 100% coverage of Great British and Northern Irish waters. It is planned to provide a link into this system for the General Lighthouse Authorities which will provide valuable vessel traffic information and integrity monitoring for AIS equipped aids to navigation.
Loran-C
At present there is almost total reliance on the satellite system for electronic position fixing and timing input to many applications including navigation, vessel traffic monitoring, and casualty analysis. There is, however, concern regarding the vulnerability of satellite navigation systems to interference or interruption of service. Loran-C is seen as a possible complimentary system which does not suffer from the same vulnerabilities as GPS and could provide a redundant and complimentary service for positioning, navigation and timing.
The concept of eLoran is now being highlighted where the 'e' stands for enhanced: better accuracy, better timing stability, and better service than the previous generation of Loran-C. With this in mind the US Congress continues to fund Loran research, station upgrades, and the continued operation of Loran stations by the US Coastguard.
In the Far East, the FERNS Loran system is being upgraded by collaboration between China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. The Saudi Arabia Loran chain now has five stations and transmits EUROFIX DGNSS signals via Loran. Although the Northwest European Loran System (NELS) agreement ceased on 1 December 2005, the former NELS stations continue to operate on an ad-hoc basis with Norway, Germany, France, and Denmark continuing to operate the European Loran stations.
A GLA Research and Radio Navigation trial Loran transmitter at Rugby in England is providing excellent results. Many now feel that eLoran, as a component of an integrated system, can compliment satellite systems such as GPS and Galileo as a low cost backup.
Dun Laoghaire development
Implementation of new technology is very evident in the new building at Dun Laoghaire. A more detailed description of progress to date is reported on pages 5-6.
New methods are also being introduced with the implementation of the recommendations of the Integration Project Team. This team was made up of members from all departments and facilitated by Paul Fuller. The team carried out a review to determine the optimum management structure for Irish Lights when single site operation is implemented in Dun Laoghaire. A new Engineering Planning Section under the management of Garry Davis has been set up and is now reviewing the performance of the PEMAC maintenance management system.
A working group study of the potential working arrangements and benefits of annualised hours working arrangements is nearing completion. Stores arrangements are being overhauled with the move to the new stores area.
Over the next year the recommendations will be implemented, leading to more streamlined and cost effective service provision.
Work in progress
The busy schedule of maintenance, refurbishment, and replacement of obsolete systems continues.
Upgrading the generating plant and batteries at Fastnet Rock and Tuskar Rock Lighthouses with introduction of AIS is in progress. Rotten Island was electrified in 1962 and a refurbishment project is at the planning stage. The conversion of Rockabill from diesel generator power to photovoltaic power is nearing completion. Conversion of Eeragh from wind power to solar power will be completed in early 2007. Major re-equip projects at Fanad Head and Dundalk are at the planning stage.
Refurbishment projects are in progress at Blacksod and Chaine Tower. As an energy source, mains power has the lowest operating cost. Little Samphire Island light is at present powered by diesel generating sets and a project to replace these with an ESB supply using a submarine cable is at the design stage.
Under the solarisation programme Straw Island will be converted from wind power to solar power, and updating of Buncrana and Dunree Lighthouses is planned.
Storm damage repairs, routine and breakdown maintenance, painting, and building operations continue to be carried out to ensure that Irish Lights not only meets IALA availability targets but also ensure that our structures, buildings, and heritage are maintained in a cost effective and efficient manner.
My thanks and congratulations to all the Engineering team for a splendid job.