Many lighthouse authorities are still responsible for the management and maintenance of historic lighthouse structures and their associated aids to navigation equipment. The IALA Advisory Panel on the Preservation of Lighthouses, Aids to Navigation, and Related Equipment of Historic Interest (PHL) was established by the IALA Council in 1996 in response to membership interest in the heritage value of lighthouses. In 2002, this Panel became part of the IALA Committee on Engineering, Environment, and Preservation (EEP). Objectives:
• to encourage deeper commitment by members to preserve historic values;
• to encourage member countries to see the preservation of their own lighthouses in an international context; • to share information on the subject between both
members and non-members, with particular attention being given to the complementary use of lighthouses; • to research and document strategies on the
conservation of historic lighthouses, particularly in relation to changes in technology and working practices.
Examples of work accomplished to date:
• the creation of the format for an IALA database for recording details of historic lighthouses;
• a book, titled “Lighthouses of the World” was published in 1998 with English, French, German and Spanish versions, featuring over 180 historic lighthouses from around the world;
• a Workshop in Kristiansand, Norway on “The Alternative Use of Historic Lighthouses in 2000; • a Seminar on the “Practical Aspects of Lighthouse
Preservation” in 2005 in Gothenburg, Sweden;
• the IALA Conservation Manual was published in 2006 to provide guidance to members on many aspects of Historic Lighthouses Conservation;
• a seminar on the “Heritage Issues of Introducing New Technologies in Aids to Navigation” in Santander, Spain in 2009.
The purpose of the Working Group was reaffirmed in the Conclusions of the XV1th IALA Conference in Shanghai, China in 2006 as follows:
• IALA should continue to play a role in the conservation
of historic lighthouses, associated aids to navigation Photo courtesy of IALA Photo courtesy of Instituto Hydrografico (Portugal)
Provision, Design and Management of Aids to Navigation
Provision, Design and Management of Aids to Navigation
• regarding the conservation of historic lighthouses, IALA should continue to: – develop documentation;
– promote international cooperation programmes; and – provide advice on lighthouse conservation.
The IALA seminar in Santander, Spain in June 2009 produced several key conclusions and recommendations:
• change is inevitable. Ideally, changes made during the development of an historical AtoN site should be reversible and in all cases properly documented.
• the preservation and documentation of AtoN should focus on whole sites and include historical developments and achievements in technical equipment and related human experiences. Documentation should include the experiences and recollections of those involved in operating AtoN, as well as those involved in their conservation.
• radionavigation aids were an important part of AtoN technology in the 20th century and there is a need to document and disseminate this aspect of AtoN heritage.
With strong public interest from local communities, it is prudent and important for Competent Authorities to have a consistent approach to branding and/or marketing of their lighthouses. A consistent approach will help maintain the authority’s reputation as good maintainers and operators of their historic structures. It also offers the Competent Authority an opportunity to promote maritime safety, raise public awareness and increase visitor numbers, has the potential to improve security through awareness and may offer local community employment opportunities.
The following options could be considered when developing a marketing strategy for a particular lighthouse:
• using internal or external marketing consultants to develop a strategy which could include logos, publications and links with other lighthouses;
• soliciting the support of local groups who have an interest in the lighthouse and their surroundings;
• using the internet to advertise heritage lighthouses and visitor services offered at each site;` • advertising availability for special events (e.g., anniversary’s in local newspapers); and • the use of lighthouses for commercial advertising in the media and for television filming (the
feasibility of this can depend upon each authority’s regulations which will differ from country to country).
Refer to IAlA publications:
IALA Lighthouse Conservation Manual.
IALA Guideline on Agreements for complementary use of lighthouse property.
Report of the IALA Seminar on Heritage Issues of Introducing New Technologies in Aids to Navigation Santander, Spain June 2009.
IALA Guideline 1074 – Branding and Marketing of Historic Lighthouses.
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Provision, Design and Management of Aids to Navigation Provision, Design and Management of Aids to Navigation
8.11.1 Lens Size and Terminology
Table 29 provides information on terminology for historical glass lens systems and the typical amount of mercury held in mercury float pedestals (for rotating lens systems).
table 29 – terminology for historical glass lens systems and associated quantities of mercury used in rotating lens systems
Description Focal distance
Typical quantity of mercury for mercury float pedestals mm kilograms litres Hyper-radial 1330 Meso-radial 1125 First Order 920 175 12.9 Second Order 700 126 9.3 Third Order 500 105 7.7
Small Third Order 375 96 7.0
Fourth Order 250
Fifth Order 187.5
Sixth Order 150
Many lighthouse services are removing or decommissioning traditional optics and installing new, smaller, self-contained devices. There are good economic reasons for doing this but sometimes there is a need to retain large traditional optics. There has been more pressure on lighthouse services in recent years from conservationist lobbies to retain original equipment in working order. At the same time there is the need to provide an efficient service without tending to obsolete and labour intensive equipment. A compromise can often be reached by retaining important features of an optic and running them efficiently. In this case the choice of light source is important and the options include lamps and LEDs. 8.11.2 Third Party Access To Aids To Navigation Sites
In 1998, IALA conducted a survey to investigate the extent to which Authorities were permitting aids to navigation sites to be used for collecting “non-aids to navigation” data. This study was associated with investigations of the Advisory Panel on the Preservation of Historic Lighthouses into alternative uses of lighthouses and other aids to navigation.
The responses came from a wide range of IALA members and shared several common themes: • the predominant applications were for the collection of meteorological data (i.e. weather, wind
speed and direction), tidal/ current data and for telecommunication installations;
• data collected for or by other governmental agencies generally did not attract a fee, but fees were often charged for data obtained for commercial purposes;
• data acquisition equipment had to have its own separate power supply unless that aids to navigation site had mains power available.
IALA acknowledges that Authorities face an increased demand to share aids to navigation sites with “third parties”. While it is important to ensure that the integrity and security of aids to navigation are maintained, the presence of a third party may be beneficial:
Provision, Design and Management of Aids to Navigation
Provision, Design and Management of Aids to Navigation
• as a source of revenue or sharing of operational costs (eg power, road maintenance etc); • as a means of monitoring the operation of the aid.
If an Authority receives a request for a third party installation, it should first establish whether such involvement is permitted in the Authority’s legislation. If there are no impediments, the Authority may consider negotiating an agreement with the potential third party to clearly establish the responsibilities and liabilities of each party. The agreement may also address:
• conditions to apply to the third party installation and operation to ensure that the equipment does not compromise the integrity and security of the aids to navigation and other property owned by the Authority;
• access to electrical power. At sites with mains power, it may be advisable for the Authority to require separate metering of the third party supply so that electricity costs can be recovered; • if no mains power is available, it is reasonable to require that the third party provide its own power
supply;
• where practical, the installation of the third party equipment should take into consideration and preserve the heritage value of the aid to navigation.
Authorities should reserve the right to cancel any third party agreement if continued use jeopardizes the performance or functionality of the aid to navigation.
Refer to IAlA publications:
IALA Lighthouse Conservation Manual.