Navigation Aids Redundant?

[beneteau_305_553]

Trinity House have announced that Southwold and Lowestoft Lighthouses set to close by 2010.

Do we need Lighthouses and navigation buoys now we have GPS ?

Are Lighthouses and navigation buoys now redundant?, ( if not who is going to pay? )

If you want to keep them kick up now!

 

[JMM]

If navigation buoys and lighthouses are redundant, does this mean that Trinity House is redundant too?

 

[Admiral]

They tried to pull the same trick with Godrevy lighthouse in Cornwall a few weeks ago. Local council, yachtsmen, and fishermen made loud objections and Trinity House had to think again. Their press statement had a face saving "after consultation" sentence in it, but it was local objection which stopped it. They(Trinity house) will have to be watched very closely methinks.

 

[Swagman]

Maybe it is a little too soon to remove these but let's face it folks - once there is an alternate to the US GPS system that we can rely un - such aides will be redundant.
Sure - nice to look at - shame to see this bit of history being discarded - but practically they will shorlty be as useful as the old AA roadsigns - and I've got plenty of other things I'd rather have the gov't spend my money on.
Cheers
JOHN

 

[Admiral]

Re: Navigation Aids Redundant?(Re Swagman)

Not everyone has or will have electronic aids, and these lights were put there not only to aid navigation but as a safety warning of a hazard. Once again it would seem to be a case of something that is account led by peeps who really don`t know what they are doing, and are blinded by figures on the bottom line.
We are told time and again not to rely on electronic navigation and to keep a plot running on a paper chart too. It may be that we are reaching the age of fail safe electronic navigation, but if you were to be sailing down a coast at night with less than ideal weather and the on board power supply to your nice shiny toys fails, you would be very glad of these lights to pinpoint your position!!

 

[kindredspirit]

Have a look at "2020 The Vision. Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy" by CIL, CNL and Trinity House.

 

[Blueboatman]

Oh Crikey--It needs to be said--Go sail and switch off the 12v battery..to simulate any number of reasons why you are now sailing an electronics free vessel... Suddenly those fixed ,lit navigation aids start to look quite good.
Think I place more trust in a lighthouse than a government-run satelite.

Once upon a time the ''harbour dues''were actually light dues and not paying for the fancy RIB which the tollmaster runs around in to collect..tolls.

 

[Swagman]

Do you suspect they had similar discussions when updating oil lamped ligthhouses for those that ran on that fancy electicity stuff?
Or maybe even before when they replaced wooden fires with the fancy oil lamps and lenses........
Cheers
JOHN

 

[graham]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you suspect they had similar discussions when updating oil lamped ligthhouses for those that ran on that fancy electicity stuff?
Or maybe even before when they replaced wooden fires with the fancy oil lamps and lenses........
Cheers
JOHN

[/ QUOTE ]

John Im sure that human nature being what it was /is the debates were heated.BUT they were debating upgrading of lights not discontinuing.

 

[Mariner]

I am all for lighthouses and other navigation aids, but someone has to pay for them and no one wants to.
The larger ships will no doubt argue their way out of paying dues because of electronic navigation and slowly the lighthouses will close. I remember not long ago when the gov was trying to bring in light dues for recreational boats and the RYA et al up in arms saying lesure users don't use these aids. Bit late to now say we do as they all close down.

 

[kindredspirit]

Exactly.

All boaters on the sea should really make a contribution towards the installation and upkeep of lighthouses, racons and buoys.

They are are there for our safety aren't they? If they go out of commission because you don't want to pay, you can't argue about their demise can you? Or can you?

 

[Ben_e_Toe]

All very well relying on GPS, but when I think of the thin, flimsy wires behind my GPS control panel and their proximity to the water outside........ I thank my lucky stars that there are lights and marks around!

Perhaps the RYA should argue that lighthouses and buoys are part of the ‘historic maritime heritage’ of Britain and that, as such, are regularly 'visited' by passing vessels. Then they could apply for listed status on every light and buoy in the UK!