General Lighthouse Authorities - The United Kingdom and Ireland - Aids to Navigation Review

The principle applied is that the amount, mix and nature of AtoN provided are: Commensurate with the volume of and nature of the traffic Appropriate for the degree of risk Integrated and cost-effective Compliant with internationally accepted standards The priorities in applying such principles are:- The safety of life at sea Safe passage of shipping The protection of the marine envir. [...] Consideration needs to be given to dissemination of 7 information relating to AtoN as well as guidance on the expected performance and appropriate use of different types of AtoN and improving the presentation of information relating to the use of such AtoN in the context of effective bridge resource management. [...] Dominant traffic patterns are for vessels of all sizes and types to approach/depart the Forth/Tay to the SE for the European ports and Dover Straits staying quite close to the coast to St Abb’s Head, to head ENE/WSW for the Skagerrak and Scandinavian ports or NNE/SSW along the coast to/from Rattray Head. [...] Marine Protected Areas include SAC In Berwickshire, at the Isle of May, and the Firth of Tay & Eden estuary; SPAs in the Firth of Forth, at Buchan Ness, the Ythan estuary, Fowlsheugh, the Forth Islands, Montrose Basin, the Firth of Tay & Eden estuary, and St Abbs Head to Fastcastle; and NCMPA at the Firth of Forth Banks. [...] Due to the high volume of traffic, the constriction of the through traffic, caused by the banks and shoals, coupled with the high volume of crossing ferry traffic, between the Channel ports and the Continental ports, the area is one of high collision risk.