3.7.8	AREA 8 - RATTRAY HEAD TO ST. ABBS HEAD
3.7.8.1	The East Coast is a mainly continuous unbroken coastline in which there are many long-range lights primarily used previously as landfall lights. The region is notorious for the haar, the sea-fog that blankets the coast in conditions of cold, easterly winds. Thus, 11 of the 13 lights in this area are major lights. The region is used by sea traffic of every nature. Aberdeen is the home to a large fishing fleet, as well as being the base for many of the support vessels for the North Sea offshore oil industry. The main ferry links to both Orkney and Shetland also operate out of Aberdeen.
3.7.8.2	This busy, east-coast region also contains the major port of Peterhead, as well as the Firths of Forth and Tay (with its port of Dundee). The Firth of Forth, one of the busiest port areas of the British Isles, contains the ports of Leith and Grangemouth, the dockyard at Rosyth and the terminals at Hound Point and Braefoot. Every type of vessel, including cruise liners, frequent these ports. There is also a large yachting marina at Port Edgar on the south side of the Forth, coupled with the opening of the Forth and Clyde canal via the Falkirk Wheel in 2003 has brought an increase in small craft and yacht traffic. This has had the effect of moving Falkirk Council to re-open Boness Harbour to satisfy the demand for temporary berthing.
3.7.8.3	In addition, there are several small harbours along the coast, which serve as the bases for a number of fishing vessels and leisure craft. Within a radius of 50 miles from Isle of May Lighthouse there were some 11,503 commercial vessel movements per annum over 210 routes.
3.7.8.4	At Girdle Ness Lighthouse a DGPS reference station and transmission has been established. It is intended to establish an AIS station onboard the Aberdeen Fairway Buoy.
3.7.8.5	There has been correspondence through the Coast Protection Act requiring proposals for marking and lighting of new dolphin structures in the vicinity of the Ex-Alcan Pier at Burntisland and the construction of a new offloading pier at Longannet Power Station near Kincardine. We should anticipate the increased movements of large coal carrying cargo vessels between the Isle of May and Burntisland, and, as the proposed method of transportation is lightering to barges and tugs, a marked increase in traffic between Burntisland to the upstream Longannet Power station.
3.7.8.6	The re-opening of Bo-Ness harbour as mentioned above will attract the leisure user making for the Carron River buoyed channel and locks to the Forth and Clyde canal. This channel and lock gate system have been opened since our last review.
3.7.8.7	The proposed changes within Area 8 are, as follows:

• Barns Ness - This station is considered redundant as a result of developments in the surrounding area, namely Torness nuclear power station and local cement works, which serve as significant daymarks and are well lit, thus obscuring the light. It is proposed that this light be discontinued.
  
• South Carr Beacon - To mark the passage inside the Bass Rock it is intended that this beacon be marked with a 5NM White light flashing every 5 seconds.
  
• Bass Rock - It is intended to replace this light with a standard minor light structure, with the same character, nearer to the landing.
  
• Fidra - This light is used solely by shipping entering/within the Firth of Forth and has no resultant value for general navigation. It is intended to reduce the light to a Category 2 18NM range light and approach Forth Ports PLC with a view to handover.
  
• Inchkeith - It is intended to conduct a risk assessment under the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) and discuss the range requirements with Forth Ports Authority. Following refurbishment, propose this light be handed over to Forth Ports PLC.
  
• East Vows Beacon- This beacon is of use to local traffic in the vicinity of Elie and has no resultant value for general navigation. It is therefore intended to approach Elie Harbour Trust with a view to handover.
  
• Elie Ness - This light is used solely by shipping entering/within the Firth of Forth and has no resultant value for general navigation. It is intended to reduce the light to a Category 2 light and approach Forth Ports PLC, Fife Council or Elie Harbour Trust with a view to handover.
  
• Tod Head - This station is not considered to have any purpose other than waypoint navigation, in an area already well marked by Girdleness and Scurdie Ness and is therefore considered to be redundant to NLB requirements.
  
• Rattray Head - This station is considered to have diminished in importance but has residual value as a light, daymark and racon station on this low lying coast. It is intended to reduce the light to a 16NM range light.
  
• Gullane Wreck Buoy - This buoy is considered to be of navigational significance only to vessels using the Cockenzie Roads anchorages. It is intended to discontinue this AtoN, pending the outcome of discussions with Forth Ports PLC.
  
• Thill Rock Buoy - This buoy is considered to be of navigational significance only to local traffic in the vicinity of Elie and has no resultant value for general navigation. It is intended to approach Forth Ports PLC, Fife Council or Elie Harbour Trust with a view to handover.