As the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend approaches in August, it is Australia on 42 entries ahead of its rival Germany having 36 registrations for the 15th annual running of this fun event.

So far, with 215 entries from 30 countries, the pair is followed by the USA on 30, England 16, The Netherlands 13, Scotland 9 and several on 6 including Poland, Portugal and Puerto Rico.

Among those activating ten lightships are Australia, Belgium, England, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, and the USA.

A lightship or lightvessel is a ship that acted as a lighthouse or one deemed to have been an important tender to lighthouses. Others establish a station at a lighthouse, maritime beacon or timeball tower.

Many thanks to the clubs and indviduals who have entered this fun event by a setting up a station at a lighthouse, lightship or maritime beacon, which puts on air the old era of navigation.

The basic objective is to increase awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, and at the same time to promote amateur radio and foster international goodwill.

International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend is on August the 18th and 19th and registration are available on the website http://illw.net