3.7.4	AREA 4 - SCOTLAND N COAST, ORKNEY ISLANDS (EXCLUDING PENTLAND FIRTH)
3.7.4.1	The main features of this region are the Orkney Islands, with their lifeline ferry service between Stromness on the West side, Kirkwall on the East side and the mainland ports of Scrabster and Aberdeen, and the rugged northern coastline of the Scottish mainland. As well as a full inter-island ferry service operated by the Council, private operators run short crossing links to John O'Groats and Gills Bay.
3.7.4.2	Used by both leisure and fishing craft, the region is dominated by traffic using the main commercial routes through the Pentland Firth and the Fair Isle Strait. Many of the AtoN provided act as guidance for these passages or mark off-lying dangers, such as the islands of Sula Sgeir, North Rona and Sule Skerry. This commercial traffic is largely, but not solely, oil-related, with a proportion of it calling at the Flotta terminal in Scapa Flow in Orkney. With new oil fields being established to the west of the Northern Isles, this type of traffic is expected to increase. Scapa Flow is also used as a calm short cut by traffic on south-west/north-east passage past the islands. There are strenuous efforts being made by Orkney Islands Council to create a container handling base within Scapa Flow, which if successful would likewise increase the traffic movements approaching and departing the area. Within a radius of 50 miles, centred on Fair Isle, present commercial traffic levels reach some 2,680 movements annually over 72 routes.
3.7.4.3	A substantial response to a consultation letter sent to Harbour Masters within this area would indicate that the present mix of AtoN maintained by both NLB and the LLA's meet the needs of the mariner. Orkney Islands Harbour carried out an additional survey of tanker Masters with respect to an NLB proposal to mark Nunn Rock and North Shoal. The opinion formed by the survey is that these shallow patches do not pose a high-risk hazard, rendering marking and lighting unnecessary.
3.7.4.4	The main proposals for change within this area are:

• Noss Head - Reduce to 18 nautical miles
  
• Copinsay - Reduce to 18 NM
  
• Heliar Holm - Transfer to O.I.C (OIC established Thieves Holm)
  
• North Ronaldsay - Remove Fog Signal
  
• Crockness Shoal - Transfer to O.I.C.
  
• Gutter Sound Wreck - Transfer to O.I.C.
  
• Establish Port hand Buoy at the East end of Sand Eel shoal.
  
• Relocate Riddock Shoal Port Hand Buoy (Move ENE 190 metres).
  
• Seal Skerry - Light with Fl W 3s @ 3 NM
  
• Vasa Skerry - Light with Fl (2) W 10s @ 3 NM
  
• The Riv - Light with Fl W 5s @ 3 NM
  
• Roseness - Hand over to O.I.C or other
  
• Dennis Head - Hand over or gift to North Ronaldsay Trust.