North Carr Light Vessel

Contact the Maritime Volunteer Service, MVS Tay,

Bob Richmond - 01382 542516 mobile - 07554 453535

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MVS Tay gratefully acknowledges the support and assistance of - The Port of Dundee (Forth Ports), Mr. Clive McKeag, Awards for All Scotland, The D.C. Thomson Charitable Trust, H.M. Revenue and Customs The Bell's Nautical Trust, The Tay Charitable Trust, The St. Katharine's Fund, The Robertson Trust,  The Alexander Moncur Trust,  The Mathew Trust,

The North Carr lightship yesterday [22^nd July] served as location for a lengthy TV filming session by a team from the BBC’s popular Coast programme.

 

Members of the Maritime Volunteer Service’s Tay Unit guided the show’s main presenter Neil Oliver round the ship. Many detailed questions were asked, all of which were answered by the volunteers who are now considered quite expert on the North Carr’s history. Neil then toured the ship, speaking to camera. He spoke about the master’s quarters, the crew’s quarters and the chain locker, an atmospheric compartment of the ship where her mighty anchor cables were stored.

 

The engine room proved to be a rich source of material. It hosts the country's largest collection of Russell Newbery engines. Three of these drove generators for the lantern and general electrical power, whilst the other three operated compressors, which powered the foghorn. Attention was drawn to the fact that although the lightship had no motive power, relying on tugs to manouevre her on and off station, this well equipped engine room was essential to the sustained operation of her lantern and foghorn, both which served to warn ships away from the dangerous Carr reef.

D.K.