Navigation Aids

A number of legal powers, duties or regulatory tools exist which are relevant to this activity and its management. These are summarised in the table below:

The following guidance, codes, plans or strategies are also relevant to the management of this activity:

A number of legal powers, duties or regulatory tools exist which are relevant to this activity and its management. These are summarised in the table below:

The following guidance, codes, plans or strategies are also relevant to the management of this activity:

Aids to navigation in UK waters include lighthouses, buoys, light vessels and beacons together with electronic Aids to Navigation assist all mariners at all times and in all weathers. In England, Trinity House is the General Lighthouse Authority under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and has primary responsibility for maintenance of aids to navigation.  Harbour authorities act as the Local Lighthouse Authority for their area. They have the power to carry out and maintain the marking or lighting of any part of the harbour within the authority’s area. Further guidance on the role of Harbour Authorities in maintenance of navigation can be found in the MCA publication A Guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations

Trinity House has a duty to inspect all lighthouses, buoys, beacons and other navigational aids belonging to a local lighthouse authority and may give direction about the provision and positioning of navigational aids. Local Lighthouse Authorities in England require consent from Trinity House to erect, remove or vary the character of a lighthouse, buoy or beacon.

Aids to navigation maintained by Local Lighthouse Authorities must be maintained in accordance with criteria laid down by Trinity House and are subject to periodic review.

Trinity House in England operates within an Environmental Management System that is certified against the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems, and expects all contractors to work to similar standards. Contractors must give priority to reducing environmental impacts and complying with regulatory environmental standards. Significant environmental aspects must be properly controlled and maintained with documented procedures. Field Operatives and Engineers and Mariners receive basic in house training on the importance of Environmental Designations and what they mean. Trinity House also displays details of local environmental designations at each lighthouse for staff reference. Contractors must be aware of the provisions in Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991, which place a clear responsibility on the generators of waste to ensure that it is properly and safely disposed of.

Aids to Navigation are excempt from the need for a Marine Licence but works may be subject to the need for other appropriate consents in some circumstances. Depending on the location and nature of works these may include requirements for planning permission, although outside of European sites (Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation)Trinity House has permitted development rights for their activities, or or SSSI Assent. Trinity House has a Site Management Agreement with Natural England covering all routine maintenance work on its terrestrial Aids to Navigation together with an agreed Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).

Aids to navigation in UK waters include lighthouses, buoys, light vessels and beacons together with electronic Aids to Navigation assist all mariners at all times and in all weathers. In Scotland, the Northern Lighthouse Board is the General Lighthouse Authority under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and has primary responsibility for maintenance of aids to navigation.  Harbour authorities act as the Local Lighthouse Authority for their area. They have the power to carry out and maintain the marking or lighting of any part of the harbour within the authority’s area. Further guidance on the role of Harbour Authorities in maintenance of navigation can be found in the MCA publication A Guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations

The Northern Lighthouse Board has a duty to inspect all lighthouses, buoys, beacons and other navigational aids belonging to a local lighthouse authority and may give direction about the provision and positioning of navigational aids. Local Lighthouse Authorities in Scotland require consent from Northern Lighthouse Board to erect, remove or vary the character of a lighthouse, buoy or beacon.

Aids to navigation maintained by Local Lighthouse Authorities must be maintained in accordance with criteria laid down by the Northern Lighthouse Board and are subject to periodic review.

Works on Navigational Aids is excempt from the need for a Marine Licence but may be subject to the need for appropriate consents in some circumstances. Depending on the location and nature of works these may include requirements for Assent from NatureScot for works on SSSIs or requirements for planning permission although outside of European sites (Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation), the Northern Lighthouse Board have permitted development rights for their activities.