Written evidence submitted by Trinity House and
the Northern Lighthouse Board (MAR0019)

Thank you for inviting Trinity House to respond to the Transport Select Committee Inquiry into Maritime 2050. We would like to take this opportunity to submit a joint response on behalf of ourselves and our sister General Lighthouse Authority, the Northern Lighthouse Board.

• Section 1 (Introduction - Maritime 2050 values and ambitions). As the UK’s largest endowed maritime charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community, Trinity House is pleased and encouraged to see the recognition and support for the continued investment in training and development of the British seafarer

• P84. Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The recommendation that the Government will develop proposals for a new Merchant Shipping Act was welcomed as this provided an opportunity to consolidate, refresh and update the legislation. It is understood that the work to complete this may now fall outside the ambition of achieving this within 5 years.

• Section 5.7 Safety. To maintain the vital safety services provided by the General Lighthouse Authorities, the UK Government has committed to replace THV PATRICIA and NLV POLE STAR with purpose-built vessels that will meet operational commitments as well as the requirements of the Clean Maritime Plan. The procurement processes are underway and both new vessels are due to enter operational service in 2025/26. The requirement to replace the remaining General Lighthouse Authority vessels is captured within the long-term plan.

• P87. The UK Government has supported the transition of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) from a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) into an Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO). We welcome the progress made by Government toward simultaneously signing and ratifying the international convention which will bring the new IGO into being.

• Section 10. Infrastructure. The General Lighthouse Authorities continue to receive the necessary funding from the General Lighthouse Fund (GLF) in order to maintain, upgrade and decarbonise the Aids to Navigation infrastructure they provide. An integral part of this effort is the work of the GLA Research and Development team (GRAD) which provides world leading innovation in navigational safety to ensure the infrastructure and supporting technology remains relevant to the changing requirements of shipping.

April 2022