Orkney maritime safety improved

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd’s lookout post at the Black Craig is now supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with vital radio coverage on the west coast of Orkney.

The Black Craig lookout point, which EMEC uses as an environmental observation point for its wave test site at Billia Croo, stands at one of the highest points on the west mainland with commanding views of the North Atlantic.

The area has historically been a radio black spot due to the high cliffs, and posed significant problems to the RNLI Stromness lifeboat which operates in the area.

The RNLI approached EMEC for help by hosting a private VHF radio repeater and antenna at the lookout point.

The equipment was installed by RNLI engineers with assistance from the EMEC operations team, who are also providing equipment hosting, power supply and technical support.

The upgrade ensures radio coverage on the western Orkney coastline, improving communications between the lifeboats and coastguards, assisting in the coordination and management of incidents at sea.

Alex Marshall, RNLI communications and information manager, says:

“We were delighted when EMEC agreed to help us by providing RNLI with a site and support for this vital technology. It is already proving extremely useful and I have no doubt it will be of real benefit to the entire maritime community who use these waters.”

Graham Bleakley, operations manager at EMEC says:

“Plugging the gaps in radio coverage between lifeboats and the coastguard provides improved marine safety support to not only the emerging renewables industry but also to the fishing and leisure sectors in the area. We are delighted that we could help.”

Photo caption (l-r): EMEC operations manager Graham Bleakley, and RNLI lifeboat operations manager Stewart Taylor on board the Stromness lifeboat.