Skerry of Ness and Hoxa Head Lighthouse Refurbishments
Skerry of Ness is a tidal station. Hoxa Head is located on land and can be accessed at all times. To utilise the contractor’s time, its envisaged that Skerry of Ness will take priority to work around tidal times as required, and Hoxa Head works can be carried out around Skerry of Ness activities.
Hoxa Head:
Location:
Hoxa Head is located on the Hoxa peninsula on the North East coast of South Ronaldsay, Orkney. The site is located on the longitude and latitude of 58°49.315 N, 003°02.085 W. The site is 400m away from a road end. There are field tracks from the road end to close to the site.
Description of station:
7m high Aluminium “splat” structure, fixed to concrete base. White GRP daymark panels are fixed to the elevations of structure. The optic is powered by batteries, charged by the 6No panel solar array. The extent of the station is determined by a post and wire boundary fence designed to keep livestock out. There are no welfare facilities at this station.
Description of works:
The works are of a purely civil nature. The works will include: Wash down and remove lichen/marine growth from surfaces of all structures (GRP, Concrete and Metal work). Repairs to GRP daymark panels and metalworks as required. Existing fence to be re-strung. No electrical works shall be involved and the optic shall remain operational throughout.
Skerry of Ness:
Location:
Skerry of Ness is located south of the town of Stromness on the mainland of Orkney. The site is located on the longitude and latitude of 58°56.960 N 003°17.830 W. Together with Hoy Loy Lighthouse the station denotes the entry to the port of Stromness. The station is located in tidal waters 200m from the mainland. The shoreline can be access via Guardhouse Park Road leading from the town of Stromness. The station can be accessed at low tide by foot. At high tides, boat access is required.
Description of station:
10m high post-tensioned white concrete column, topped with concrete platform. The main concrete column is fixed to a square concrete foundation fixed to the sea bed. The platform is accessed via a ladder. There are fenders to each side of the ladder to allow a boat to access the ladder at high tides. The platform is guarded by a handrail and safety gate to the top of the ladder. The optic cubicle is located on the edge of the platform, with solar panels fixed to the seaward facing side of the cubicle. The optic is powered by batteries stored within the cubicle, which are trickle charged by the solar panels. There are no welfare facilities at this station.
Description of works:
The works are of a purely civil nature. The concrete structure is to be power washed to remove lichen/marine growth from surfaces. Any concrete repairs will be carried out as necessary following power washing. Any corroded metalwork or fixings shall be replaced, this may involve replacement of ladders, handrails, and fenders. The structure shall be redecorated. No electrical works shall be involved and the optic shall remain operational throughout.
Minimum Certification Requirements
Contractor will need rope access certificates (IRATA Certification)
[Important Note to Bidders: There is a mandatory site visit in Orkney on 10 September - further details will be given via the message facility. Those parties who have expressed interest in a future Orkney refurbishment at Hoy Sound (High) can visit this site on 11 September. To avoid the need for two trips. There will be a separate site visit planned for those parties who have only expressed an interest in Hoy Sound in due course. Those attending site visits will need to bring suitable PPE and clothing, further details to follow via the messaging facility.]
Please note all details and dates included are subject to change.
View 2-notice timelineLatest notice released 28 Sept 2026
Public SectorTender 2 notices
Refurbishment of Maughold Head and Douglas Head Lighthouses
NLB are looking for a contractor to complete refurbishment works of 2 lighthouses situated on the Isle of Man, Maughold head and Douglas Head. This will involve application of external and internal decorative & protective coatings, along with some minor civils work at each site, including removal and addition of flooring, minor metalwork and window works. Full details will be in the tender documents and Bill of Quantities.
We require interested contractors to attend a mandatory site visit between 10th and 12th September 2026 (dates will be confirmed with interested suppliers asap) and the work is expected to start in early November 2026. Unfortunately NLB will not accept tenders from suppliers who do not attend this site visit.
Please note that contractors will need to hold or arrange a works permit to complete these works on the Isle of Man before the estimated start date, expected to be November 2026.
Estimated timescales for procurement:
Publish tender documents - 25th August 2026
Site visit - Between 10th and 12th September 2026 - TBC with interested suppliers
Tender Submissions - By 29th September 2026
Estimated Award date - Early October 2026
Site start date - Estimated 1st November 2026
View 2-notice timelineLatest notice released 29 Sept 2026
Public SectorTender 2 notices
NLV Pharos Dry Dock Services 2027
The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) require Dry Dock Facilities for NLV Pharos to carry out 20 year Special survey works This will include essential works and surveys to meet the Classification Society/Flag state requirements for certification of the vessel. Total estimated timescales for the duration required for the works are 4 weeks, with dry dock works being 3 weeks within this. The services will be provided by both the dry dock facility and external contractors, access will be required for NLB staff and NLB prearranged appointed contractors. Locations within the United Kingdom and Europe will be considered.
Estimated dates for Dry Dock:
Arrival Date - 28th January 2027 Layby berth
Dry dock works - 1st February - 23rd February 2027 (layby berth)
Departure Date: 28th February 2027
Potential suppliers should provide dates that their drydock is available, noting the approximately 4 week required duration for the works. These are the preferred dates but may be flexible to meet drydock availability.
Our documents are now live for this tender and we are looking for suppliers who can provide a Dry Dock location and works, that meet the requirements of NLB. A brief outline is below:
NLV Pharos 20 year special survey drydock
- Tank/Hull inspection/survey
- Ship side valves overhaul/survey
- All safety equipment/systems major overhaul/survey
Class society: Lloyds Register
Full Hull painting
Thruster overhauls (completed by OEM)
Electrical Healthcare
Miscellaneous works including:
- ER supply fan overhaul
- Helideck equipment maintenance
- Mooring equipment maintenance
Full documents can be found within Delta, https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/delta/buyers/select/viewListStatus.html?id=1050884359
Ship Details
IMO Number - 9338606
Length Overall - 84.25metres
Breadth Moulded - 16.49 metres
Gross Tonnage – 3672T
Dry dock blocks - Minimum of 1.5m blocks for ease of access under the vessel.
Estimated Tender timeline
Tender documents published- 8th September 2026
Tender submission deadline - 12pm 5th October 2026
Tender Award - Estimated 5th November 2026
A reminder that these dates are indicative at this stage and may be subject to change.
View 2-notice timelineLatest notice released 5 Oct 2026
Public SectorTender
NLV Pharos Harbour Generator Overhaul
The Pharos Harbour Generator is used when the vessel is harbour when no crane operations are ongoing, this is predominately during the evenings and sometimes during day operations. There has been significant periods where the generator has not been available due to breakdown, or other technical issues. A full overhaul should avoid these periods.. The overhaul to take place within the drydock period (Jan/Feb 2027). A mandatory site visit is being hosted at NLB Oban on 23 September 2026.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:
https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Edinburgh:-Mechanical-engineering-services./34J92VBGP2
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/respond/34J92VBGP2