Charles.Lenhoff Posts: 8 08/12/2025	Charles.Lenhoff Posts: 8 Friends, I received an email out of the blue from Cristina Sutton who claims to be a "Light Dues Administrator" in Shetland... She's asking a dues payment for entering Lerwick from Norway in July on our boat. I called her and she explained the dues were for using the lighthouses as navigation aids. She sent us the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 which outlines her claim for Light Dues. But nothing in applies to us and something smells fishy here. Has anyone heard about this? ~Lisa
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Romy.McIntosh Posts: 3 09/12/2025	Romy.McIntosh Posts: 3 Hi Lisa, You could try contacting the PO for Shetland and see if he has any more information: Andrew Halcrow, elsiarrub@gmail.com Thanks!
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Simon Currin Administrator Posts: 832 09/12/2025	Simon Currin Administrator Posts: 832 Lisa, The Northern Lighthouse Board collect Light Dues for the General Lighthouse Fund but, as far as I am aware, it is only paid by commercial vessels and is based on tonnage. We have never been asked to pay in the UK but lighthouse fees are levied on leisure craft in some Pacific Island nations eg Tonga. Simon -- Simon Currin S/V Shimshal simon@medex.org.uk
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Ginger Posts: 13 10/12/2025	Ginger Posts: 13 Hi Lisa, We (Alchemy) were in and out of Lerwick and the SIs over a number of years (~~2014) and even over wintered our boat there one winter. We never heard a word of what you report. Not only was Lerwick wonderful but also the archipelago for land or water cruising. As Americans, the UK allowed us 6 months as opposed to Europe and Norway where we had to be out in 3. From Lerwick it was an easy overnight to the Norway coast and then back at the end of 3 months. A historical book of great interest to the area is “The Shetland Bus” about WWII and the boat traffic from the SIs to Norway. I have notes on Lerwick and the SIs and Norway if interested. Contact me off-line at alchemy128(at)gmail.com. My best, Envious of your being in those waters, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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Charles.Lenhoff Posts: 8 28/12/2025	Charles.Lenhoff Posts: 8 Friends, Christina Sutton @ Light House Administration hit us up for 90 pounds and we're going to pay it cuz it's not worth disputing and we want to be honorable visitors to her turf. ~Lisa
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Dick Posts: 427 29/12/2025	Dick Posts: 427 Hi Lisa, Understood. Sometimes it is just better to up-anchor and move on. Is there any mechanism within the OCC to explore and try to understand this seemingly random and arbitrary invocation of a fee? Perhaps the Shetland Island’s PO could explore. My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy -- Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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