Appearance
The appearance of fixed marks along the coast is mainly based on Norwegian designs. This particularly applies to iron bars with pointers and topmarks in addition to cairns and beacons. Sector lights from lighthouses, lights, lanterns and indirect lighting markings for speedboats are commonplace along Norwegian sea routes.
Light source
In the early days, the light source in navigation marks was formed by an oil or gas flame. By the end of the 1980s, all of the original light sources had been replaced with light bulbs. Today, the light source is LED, which gives the same intensity of light but requires much less energy. The energy is now sourced from solar panels or transmitted directly from the power grid. Some navigation marks – and particularly lighthouses – get their energy from diesel-powered generators. These energy sources are also used on all-round lights.
Note
Aids to navigation are subject to annual inspections and maintenance to ensure that they are reliable and have a high level of availability. Faults can, nevertheless, occur in the installations either due to equipment failure or as a result of the stresses they are exposed to in the marine environment.
If faults occur, we will make reasonable efforts to make vessels aware of these, and to rectify them within a reasonable timeframe, depending on the resources available. The Norwegian Coastal Administration depends on errors being reported to the National Coordinator for Navigational Warnings (NAVCO) as soon as possible, via telephone (+47) 22 42 23 31, or by email: .