Local Aids to Navigation
The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) are the General Lighthouse Authority for the island of Ireland. Under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (in respect of the Republic of Ireland) and the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (in respect of Northern Ireland) the Commissioners are responsible for the superintendence and management of all marine Aids to Navigation(AtoN) around the coast of Ireland and its adjacent waters.
All Aids to Navigation must be provided in accordance with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) guidelines. A copy of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System is available from the IALA Website for reference.
Below is a copy of the CIL Guide for Local Lighthouse Authorities.
Guide to the provision and maintenance of Local AtoN for Local Lighthouse Authorities
Further advice and assistance is available by contacting the Local AtoN Inspector (+353 1 271 5483).
Statutory Sanction
Statutory Sanction must be obtained from the Commissioners of Irish Lights for the establishment, alteration, or discontinuation of Local Aids to Navigation in ports, harbours and on coastlines which are within the jurisdiction of a Local Lighthouse Authority (LLA). LLAs include Port Authorities, State Agencies and Urban/County Councils. Marine Aids to Navigation include lighthouses, beacons, buoys, leading lights, daymarks, topmarks, livery, fog signals, and radio aids to navigation.
If you wish to apply for statutory sanction you should download and print out the form below, complete it, sign it, and post it to the Head of Marine, Irish Lights Office, Harbour Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Notes on Completion of Application Form
Printable AIS AtoN Statutory Sanction Application Form
Further advice and assistance is available by contacting the Local AtoN Inspector (+353 1 271 5483).
Availability Reporting
Local Lighthouse Authorities are required to submit quarterly reports to CIL detailing the availability of Local Aids to Navigation under their jurisdiction. Reports may be submitted by post, fax or email on templates provided, or online at the Local AtoN Web Portal. Access to the Web Portal is available to all Local Lighthouse Authorities, and a username and password may be obtained by contacting the Local AtoN Inspector (+353 1 271 5483).
Blank Quarterly Availability Report Template
Suppliers of Aids to Navigation
While the Commissioners of Irish Lights do not specifically recommend any particular supplier, installer or manufacturer of Aids to Navigation, the links below contain lists of potential suppliers and installers.
If you are a supplier or installer of Aids to Navigation and would like to be included in these lists, please email the Local AtoN Inspector (marine@cil.ie).
Renewable Energy Installations
Offshore Renewable Energy Sites (ORES) in Irish waters are approaching the installation phase in several segments including wind, wave and tidal energy. While these technologies are an essential component of Irelands targets for energy from renewable resources, their interaction with marine traffic must be considered from the design stage to ensure the continued safety of navigation at sea.
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) have issued recommendations on the marking and provision of AtoN for renewable energy installations. These recommendations can be downloaded below. CIL can offer guidance on the implementation of these recommendations from the initial planning stage of the offshore site. All AtoN require Statutory Sanction prior to establishment.
IALA Recommendations for Marking Wave and Tidal Energy Devices
Further advice and assistance is available by contacting the Local AtoN Inspector (+353 1 271 5483).
Aquaculture
Aquaculture sites for the cultivation of shellfish, finfish and seaweed are prolific in certain locations around the coast of Ireland. Where these sites have the potential to impinge on the safety of navigation, their licence conditions contain requirements for the installation of marine Aids to Navigation. Depending on the location and site conditions, sites can be marked with either poles or buoys. Statutory Sanction is required for all AtoN prior to establishment.
IALA Recommedations for Marking Offshore Aquaculture Sites
Further advice and assistance is available by contacting the Local AtoN Inspector (+353 1 271 5483).