Irish Lights are beaming
The Commissioners of Irish Lights' (CIL) new headquarters building at Dun Laoghaire Harbour was officially opened by President Mary McAleese on 22 February at a reception of 400 guests held in the Bouy Hall of the striking shoreside building. CIL's CEO, Stuart Ruttle, remarked that the day was one of the most important in the 222 years of the organisation.

Serco splashes out
Serco Denholm has wasted no time in placing orders for new vessels since securing a £1 billion deal to deliver marine services to the Royal Navy until at least 2023. Contracts for 29 new vessels were agreed with Damen Shipyards at the end of January in what is the yard's largest ever single contract.

Island routes fares to drop
The Scottish Government's approval of a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot based on a successful Norwegian scheme designed to link ferry prices to the cost of travelling the same distance by road, looks set to reduce passenger and vehicle rates for ferry services to the Hebrides by as much as 50 per cent.

Plymouth fast craft debut
To compensate for delays in the return of the newly purchased Pont l'Abbe (1978/19,589gt) after dry docking in Gdansk, Poland, Brittany Ferries twice used fast craft Normandie Express on the Plymouth-Roscoff route.

Seatruck orders four
Just before finally taking delivery of Clipper Point, first of a quartet of 120-trailer ferries from Spanish builders Astilleros de Huelva, Seatruck moved to a new phase of its fleet expansion programme by placing a March contract with Germany's Flensburger Schiffbau Gesellschaft (FSG) for four new generation ro-ro ferries to be delivered between November 2011 and June 2012.

The first and the last
For the second time in two years Sydney was almost brought to a standstill when, on 23-24 February, thousands turned out to watch a historic meeting of two Cunard Queens. The new Queen Victoria (2007/90,049gt) on her inaugural call, and the veteran Queen Elizabeth (1969/70,327gt), on her 29th and final visit to Sydney before retirement to Dubai, were both in port during their World Cruises, having both sailed from Southampton on 6 January.

NCL down to one in Hawaii
From 11 May, Norwegian Cruise Lines America's Hawaii-based operations will be handled by only one ship, with the transfer of Pride of Aloha (1999/77,104gt) to Star Cruises for operation in the Far East. In February, Pride of Hawaii (2006/93,000gt) was shifted to NCL's international fleet and renamed Norwegian Jade; she is currently sailing in Europe. Only Pride of America now remains as NCLA struggles to cut costs to become profitable.

Last of the legendary RFA knights
The last of a class of auxiliary landing ships that played a vital role in the Falklands War and both Gulf campaigns bowed out of service on 18 February. RFA Sir Bedivere returned to the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood in Southampton Water on the completion of a year-long mission in the Northern Arabian Gulf.

Dreadnought for the 21st century
The US Navy has awarded twin $1.4 billion contracts to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding for the construction of the dual lead ships of the Zumwalt class next-generation destroyers. BIW will build the Zumwalt (DDG1000), whilst the newly-formed Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, comprising its former Ship Systems and Newport News shipbuilding sectors, will build the un-named DDG1001. The latter will also build the composite deckhouse for Zumwalt at their Gulfport facility. The dual lead-ship strategy is designed to reduce costs and encourage collaboration.

Environmentally friendly coaster visits Goole
The prototype of a unique series of economic, environmentally friendly Futura inland cargo ships made a first visit to Goole in January. RMS Kiel (2,561gt) was launched in October 2006 after her original launch date in December 2005 and maiden voyage were delayed. Bankruptcy of the Con Mar Shipyard in Brake, Germany delayed the launch and Navitek Schiffsreparatur and suppliers completed the vessel at Wilhelmshaven.

Hawaiian eye
Horizon Lines Inc of USA operates vessels on the trade between Los Angeles and Hawaii, a return journey of four days. To maximise efficiency, the company has for a long time had a policy of polishing its vessels' propellers every six months and of dry-docking for cleaning and repairs twice every five years.

Swiss flagship celebrations
On 24 June, Stadt Luzern, the flagship of the Lake Lucerne paddle steamer fleet, celebrates her 80th anniversary. Celebrations may be muted, however, because her original entry into service was cut short after just one day when her original two-cylinder Sachsenberg engine was found to be defective. She was laid up until a new three-cylinder Sulzer Uniflow engine could be installed, and she did not resume operations until 6 July 1929.

Robin appeal to celebrities
Robin, the last remaining British steam coaster, faces an uncertain future unless £3 million can be raised in just six months. The SS Robin Trust has launched a series of fund-raising events and is appealing to celebrities to support the campaign.

Last call for Rame Head
Rame Head, the last surviving standard war-built Fort/Park class vessel, looks likely to be sold for demolition in the near future unless plans can be made to save her. The maintenance and repair ship was moved into Portsmouth dockyard in February to have asbestos and other noxious substances removed, after which it is understood that she will be technically offered back to Canada for a disposal decision.