Policies

The three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) - The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), and Trinity House (TH) have a shared mission statement:

"To deliver a reliable, efficient, and cost effective AtoN service for the benefit and safety of all mariners."

The GLAs’ marine aids to navigation vision is for a balanced mix of physical and radio AtoNs that will meet the UK’s and Ireland’s responsibilities as Contracting Governments to the IMO’s SOLAS Convention. In so doing it will support the introduction of the IMO’s e-Navigation initiative and will deliver a reliable, efficient and cost-effective AtoN service for the benefit and safety of all mariners.

The GLA’s key Policy documents can be found below:-

Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy - 2025 & Beyond

(Published July 2011)

The GLA Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy - 2025 & Beyond was launched by Mike Penning, Shipping Minister on 18 July 2011.The document outlines how the Northern Lighthouse Board, Trinity House and the Commissioners of Irish Lights will fulfill their shared mission of 'delivering a reliable, efficient and cost effective aids to navigation service for the benefit and safety of all mariners'. Through the publication of this document the GLAs have committed to continue to provide a service that is robust, efficient and economic with the appropriate mix of physical and electronic aids to navigation.

GLA Aids to Navigation Review 2010-2015

(Published May 2010)

The GLA Aids to Navigation Review 2010 -2015 follows wide scale consultation with users and representative organisations across the whole spectrum of users from leisure sailors to large commercial operators. The Review details the requirements for the waters around the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Visual Aids to Navigation Plan

(Published May 2012)

The GLAs' Visual Aids to Navigation Plan (VANP) is a core component in delivering the GLA Marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Strategy "2025 & Beyond". This updated VANP has been produced by the GLAs' Research and Radio-Navigation Directorate. It focuses specifically on the visual aids needed for safe navigation in the changing marine environment. This document presents the GLAs' plan in respect of lighthouses, beacons, major floating aids, buoys, day-marks and other forms of visual aid required for safe navigation in their areas of responsibility. 

Joint Navigation Requirements Policies (JNRP)

(Published May 2012)

The three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) operate an integrated aids to navigation service throughout the coastal waters of Britain and Ireland. This service is delivered to recognised standards set by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) so as to meet the responsibilities of the British and Irish Governments under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). The purpose of this document is two-fold. First, it records in one publication the joint approach of the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) in navigational matters, to meet their statutory duties and for the purpose of planning and managing a cost effective Aids to Navigation (AtoN) service. Second, the publication provides the members of the Joint User Consultative Group (JUCG) with information regarding the GLAs' AtoN provision. This document is only available electronically and may be updated at any time.

http://www.nlb.org.uk/JointPolicy/Policies/Documents/Radio-Navigation-Policy/.

Radio Navigation Policy

(Published May 2012)

The GLA Radio Navigation Plan (GRNP) is a core component in delivering the 2025 Strategy. It has been produced by the GLA Radio Navigation Committee (IGC 7) and is under ongoing management and maintenance by the GLA Radio Navigation Committee and the Research and Radio Navigation Directorate. This document focuses specifically upon Radio Navigation (RNAV) systems and their evolving role within the overall AtoN service provision mix. It presents the GLA plan in respect of those radio AtoN components necessary to support future e-Navigation services, including GNSS, AIS, Racons, eLoran and others.