Her Royal Highness Princess Anne sponsors the vessel Pole Star, built by GONDAN Shipbuilders.
On January 21, 2026, at the Forth Ports Cruise Terminal in Leith (Scotland), the naming ceremony was held for the C505 Pole Star, the latest vessel built by GONDAN Shipbuilders for the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), the general authority for lighthouses in Scotland and adjacent waters. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne acted as godmother to the ship and presided over the official naming ceremony, at a particularly significant moment for the start of its operational life.
The Pole Star is the fifth vessel in the history of the NLB to bear this name and will play a key role in the management of lighthouses, buoys, and navigational aids off the coasts of Scotland and the Isle of Man, contributing to maritime safety.
With a length of 70 meters and a hybrid propulsion system (diesel-electric and high-capacity batteries), the vessel incorporates solutions aimed at improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing its performance in hydrographic inspection and maintenance missions on the high seas.
