Goodbye Pole Star IV, Hello Pole Star V

A familiar sight in Oban Bay will disappear in 2025, when the Northern Lighthouse Board's old workboat NLV Pole Star is replaced by its state-of-the-art hybrid powered successor.

 

The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) operates two ships from Oban, the NLV Pole Star and NLV Pharos, which carry out buoy work, deliver stores and supplies to lighthouses, and inspect navigation aids on oil and gas rigs in Scottish and Manx waters.

 

After 23 years of service, the NLV Pole Star is rapidly approaching the end of her economic life.

 

The NLB recently announced a £51.8 million contract to Spanish shipyard Astilleros Gondán S.A, for the build of a state-of-the-art hybrid powered ship to support its vital safety service to mariners.

 

A new vessel will follow a tradition started in 1892, by being the fifth NLB vessel to bear the name Pole Star. The vessel will enter service in June 2025, and 'will meet the ambitious environmental targets set out in the UK Government Clean Maritime Plan, whilst future proofing NLB’s ability to deliver its vital safety services over the next 25 years', a spokesperson said.

 

"attachment_847999" "aligncenter" "300"] The new, and fifth, NLB vessel to bear the name Pole Star, it said, will 'be constructed to a detailed specification which ensures improved sea keeping, better and safer buoy servicing operations, towing and firefighting capability. There will also be improved crew accommodation and substantial environmental improvements over its predecessor.'

 

The NLB's chief executive Mike Bullock said: 'The new vessel will be a step change from what has gone before using new technology to minimise the impact on the environment and will bring additional capability to help deal with the effects of climate change. This will ensure that we can continue to protect mariners and our precious marine environment in Scottish and Manx waters into the 2050s.'

 

Maritime minister Baroness Vere said: 'This new vessel will deliver vital stores and supplies to lighthouses along the coastline and help to carry out important buoy work, providing a crucial service to the wider maritime sector and upholding world-class levels of safety in our waters.

 

'As we continue working to deliver Maritime 2050 and decarbonise, it’s great to see the new Pole Star will also be much greener than its predecessor and make use of innovative technology to reduce emissions, while supporting jobs and skills in the UK.'

 

The tender includes a commitment to place over £2 million of contracts with UK suppliers with a requirement for any contract over £25k to be advertised in the UK. As part of the deal Gondán will also create a special fully funded internship programme for up to 15 UK based students who will benefit from a range of placements at the yard during the vessel’s construction.