Project Overview

Supported the modernization of the St. John's harbour range lights to improve marine safety in low-visibility conditions. The project involved transitioning incandescent lighting to high-efficiency LED technology and implementing a remote-control system so ships can manage range light brightness in real time.

The Problem

After upgrading to LED range lights, an operational issue emerged:

• High intensity LEDs created excessive glare during clear conditions

• High intensity was required during fog for sufficient visability

• Manual control from shore was impractical

• Solution had to be reliable in harsh marine environments

My Contributions

• Evaluated lighting performance and operational requirements

• Reviewed design standards and visibility criteria

• Assessed alternative solutions (including automated fog detection) but this was ruled out due to reliability concerns and integration complexity

• Coordinated with suppliers to implement a VHF radio-controlled system to easily switch between light intensities

• Supported installation, site oversight, and contractor coordination

• Identified and integrated surge protection and reliability improvements

• Contributed to operational guidance documentation for mariners

• Project Management Focus: Stakeholder coordination, risk mitigation, contractor oversight, and system reliability improvements.

Final Outcome / Impact

• Implemented a VHF-controlled dual-intensity lighting system

• Improved vessel navigation safety in varying visibility conditions

• Reduced maintenance and improved energy efficiency

• Delivered a scalable solution for future Aids to Navigation upgrades

Key Skills Applied

• Project coordination & stakeholder alignment

• Contractor communication & oversight

• Risk assessment & mitigation

• Troubleshooting & reliability improvement

• Field support & implementation monitoring

• Technical documentation & reporting