News and communications

Boat-owner’s challenges 'relentless' – Environment Agency.

• Updated: 22 April 2024

Explains that the light dues rate is increasing by 4 pence to 45 pence per net tonne for 2023 to 2024.

• Updated: 9 March 2023

Mariners now have the option to use another type of safety communications system.

• Updated: 19 December 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional operational costs, the rate of light dues payable will be increased to support the work of the General Lighthouse Authorities.

• Updated: 23 February 2022

Information about Plymouth Sound to bookend milestone first Transatlantic autonomous vessel crossing

• Updated: 24 March 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are increasing the rate of light dues payable to support the work of the General Lighthouse Authorities.

• Updated: 11 February 2021

The UKHO's Annual Report and Accounts for 2019 to 2020 is available to view and download

• Updated: 7 January 2021

The UKHO has announced BMT as the winner of its first ADMIRALTY Marine Innovation Programme challenge on 'Unlocking Autonomous Navigation'

• Updated: 19 November 2020

Competition law to be temporarily suspended to allow ferry operators to maintain a crucial lifeline between the island and the mainland.

• Updated: 27 March 2020

Reinstatement of the Merchant Shipping (Bridge Visibility) (Small Passenger Ships) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/2286).

• Updated: 3 March 2020

Rate of light dues payable to support the work of the General Lighthouse Authorities.

• Updated: 12 February 2020

Testing of marine autonomous surface ships (MASS) has been given a boost after site chosen in Portland, Dorset.

• Updated: 23 October 2019

New state-of-the-art ship to replace ageing THV Patricia and improve maritime safety.

• Updated: 9 September 2019

Light dues rates frozen at 37½ pence for 2019 to 2020.

• Updated: 4 February 2019

Pioneering government-funded study looks at how navigational and wider marine geospatial data can support the safe navigation of autonomous vessels

• Updated: 1 November 2018

Cathrine Armour appointed Director of Customer Division to support the UKHO’s development as a marine geospatial information agency

• Updated: 4 September 2018

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have today joined forces to reveal RYA SafeTrx as HM Coastguard’s new official voluntary safety identification scheme.

• Updated: 4 July 2018

Light dues to be reduced by half a penny for financial year 2017 to 2018.

• Updated: 30 March 2017

Light dues reduced to 38 pence per net registered tonne.

• Updated: 3 March 2016

Light dues to be reduced to 39p in April 2015.

• Updated: 2 February 2015

First published during the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government