NLV Pole Star

NLV Pole Star is a lighthouse tender operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), the body responsible for the operation of lighthouses and marine navigation aids around the coasts of Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Pole Star was joined by a new vessel, NLV Pharos in March 2007, which replaced the previous vessel of the same name. Although the headquarters of the NLB is in Edinburgh, both vessels can be serviced by a workbase in Oban on the west coast.

History
Pole Star was completed in 2000 by Ferguson Shipbuilders on the River Clyde. She is the fourth NLB vessel to carry the name and replaced the 37-year-old MV Fingal. In memory of this vessel, Pole Star has a workboat onboard named Fingal.

In March 2012, the ship engaged in carrying out marine a Multibeam echosounder survey in the area of Shetland with the British Geological Survey on behalf of Marine Scotland.

In January 2013, the ship carried out a marine sampling survey and undertook penetration testing in Loch Linnhe.

In August 2016, the ship stayed at the port of Inverness.

In October 2020, the ship visit Rosyth Dockyard for repair, maintenance and safety checks.

In July 2022, the ship hosted a series of public access open days in Douglas Harbour on the Isle of Man.

In 2021, it was announced that the NLB are looking to replace the ship with a new vessel, as the current Pole Star approaches the end of its service life. In 2023, it was announced that steel had been cut at the Gondán Shipyard in Figuere for the construction of a replacement ship, to be named as the new Pole Star. The new Pole Star is expected to replace the existing ship in summer 2025.

Equipment
The ship serves primarily as a buoy tender but also has an ancillary role in transport purposes as a lighthouse tender. However, it also has capability to undertake marine surveys with the use of its multibeam echo sounder. The ship has an 18t crane on her 90m² aft deck. The ship has Dynamic positioning capability.