Lighthouses

Dear Tarmo, I am writing to you regarding questions we have on issues related to operation, use and legal status of lightouses. Not like the situation in Estonia is about, according to Lithuanian legislation, sea lighthouses are not open to the public except rare cases in the summer time. Our plan, however, is to change the situation, aiming to open the lighthouses to the public, create necesary infrastructure. An option could be to lease lighthouses to private entity. To achieve this in Lithuania we have to change our law. For positive outcome of this exercise, we need to demostrate how similar practices abroad are successfull. Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask you to share the information about how in the past lighthouses in Estonia were opened to the public, or provide me with the relevant contacts of the person who could help us on that issue. To be more conrete, we would be gratefull if you could pay bigger atention to the questions below: - Did opening of lighthouses for the public in Estonia required any amendments to existed regulation? How it was organized? No, we did not change or amend the existing legislation. But according to State Assets Act (https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/503082015007/consolide) we have to ask official written permission from the Estonian Government (goverment made their decision according to §19 (2) 1) in accordance with §17 (1) 3), §18 (2) 1) and §21 (1) case by case. In Estonia we do not lease or sell lighthouses to new owners or private entities. We just give lighthouse operating rights to nonprofit organizations or to local regional goverments (the region where the lighthouse is situated). Even the nonprofit organisations manage activities in the lighthouse, the Maritime Administration still owns and operates the navigation light and organises reconstruction works. - How many nautical lighthouses are there in Estonia and who are their real holders? In total we have 43 lighthouses in Estonia with ownership rights of the Estonian Maritime Administration is the owner. - Who maintains and operates the lighthouses: state or private companies? As it was mentionned above, the local regional goverment or nonprofit organization operate the lighthouse. For example, local goverment can make contracts with operator who’ll sell tickets, does the maintenance (mowing the lawn in the area, cleaning , etc). But all construction and reconstruction works must be at first approved by the administration, after that they have permission to act. - If lighthouses are rent to private companies, on what basis: charge or tenant obligations to maintain and improve infrastructure of a lighthouse? In Estonia it is decided that if the lighthouse will be opened to public then 10% of profit must be paid to State (not to our Administration) and all the rest of the profit goes directly back to the lighthouse or to the other lighthouse houses. There is also possibility to accumulate profits for many years if you plan to do bigger and more expensive works.  - What is the average number of visitors per year per one lighthouse? This number varies. For example, in Kõpu (2nd oldest lighthouse in the world) has about 25 000-30 000 visitors but Saxby lighthouse only 2000-3000 visitors. It depends on the attractiveness of the lighthouse and the location (easy access, within easy reach) - How much the ticket costs? That varies too. There’re many different prices, starting from 1 euro up to 3 euros for single ticket but there’re also group, senior, children, family tickets and packet deals (you can visit 3 lighthouses or museums in the area). - Are lighthouses maintained from incomes generated from visitors, or there are other additional funding sources to keep, maintain and modernize lighthouses? Our policy is that we do not invest financial resources to this lighthouses which. Are operated by operated others. Finances should come from collected profit. - Is visiting the lighthouse combined with any additional services to visitors, such as museum, souvenirs, etc.? Combined packet deals are used in some cases but it depends on if there are other lighthouses/museums on offer in the near area. Souvenirs, food, drinks, coffee etc are sold inside big lighthouses, smaller ones have a shop/cafe in the separate building. - Are lighthouses opened to visitors whole year or just in warm season? Yes, usually starting from April/May till September/October. Thank you in advance for your help and kind co-operation. I would appreciate to get answer within two weeks. Kind regards, Mindaugas ČESNAUSKIS Direktoriaus pavaduotojas Deputy director Lietuvos saugios laivybos administracija Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration J. Janonio g.24, LT-92251, Klaipėda Tel. (+370 46) 469640 Fax (+370 46) 469600 www.msa.lt Signe Paevere From: Taivo Kivimäe Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 12:19 PM To: Andry Rütkinen Cc: VA_hnt; Janno Viina Subject: FW: Leedu kiri, kus palutakse vahetada kogemusi tuletornide avamise kohta Tere Andry, Palun koostada vastus. Vastused võivad olla väga lühikesed ja põhirõhk oleks küllakutsel (tulgu Eestisse ja näitame poole päevaga ), sest kogu temaatikat lahti kirjutada on väga ajamahukas ja kõike pole nagunii võimalik seletada. TA‐ 06.05.2016 Signe, palun PP‐sse Taivo From: Rene Arikas Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 7:20 AM To: Taivo Kivimäe <[email protected]> Cc: Tarmo Ots <[email protected]> Subject: FW: Leedu kiri, kus palutakse vahetada kogemusi tuletornide avamise kohta Tere hommikust, Taivo! Kas Sa saaksid alltoodud e‐kirjale vastata! Tänan! Tervitades, Rene From: Tarmo Ots Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 5:27 PM To: Rene Arikas <[email protected]> Subject: Leedu kiri, kus palutakse vahetada kogemusi tuletornide avamise kohta From: Mindaugas Cesnauskis [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 5:09 PM To: Tarmo Ots <[email protected]> Subject: Lighthouses Dear Tarmo, I am writing to you regarding questions we have on issues related to operation, use and legal status of lightouses. Not like the situation in Estonia is about, according to Lithuanian legislation, sea lighthouses are not open to the public except rare cases in the summer time. Our plan, however, is to change the situation, aiming to open the lighthouses to the public, create necesary infrastructure. An option could be to lease lighthouses to private entity. To achieve this in Lithuania we have to change our law. For positive outcome of this exercise, we need to demostrate how similar practices abroad are successfull. Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask you to share the information about how in the past lighthouses in Estonia were opened to the public, or provide me 1 with the relevant contacts of the person who could help us on that issue. To be more conrete, we would be gratefull if you could pay bigger atention to the questions below: ‐ Did opening of lighthouses for the public in Estonia required any amendments to existed regulation? How it was organized? ‐ How many nautical lighthouses are there in Estonia and who are their real holders? ‐ Who maintains and operates the lighthouses: state or private companies? ‐ If lighthouses are rent to private companies, on what basis: charge or tenant obligations to maintain and improve infrastructure of a lighthouse? ‐ How revenues from visitors are used? ‐ What is the average number of visitors per year per one lighthouse? ‐ How much the ticket costs? ‐ Are lighthouses maintained from incomes generated from visitors, or there are other additional funding sources to keep, maintain and modernize lighthouses? ‐ Is visiting the lighthouse combined with any additional services to visitors, such as museum, souvenirs, etc.? ‐ Are lighthouses opened to visitors whole year or just in warm season? Thank you in advance for your help and kind co‐operation. I would appreciate to get answer within two weeks. Kind regards, Mindaugas ČESNAUSKIS Direktoriaus pavaduotojas Deputy director Lietuvos saugios laivybos administracija Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration J. Janonio g.24, LT‐92251, Klaipėda Tel. (+370 46) 469640 Fax (+370 46) 469600 www.msa.lt 2