Please be advised that Briggs Marine Contractors (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking subsea route survey in Loch A'Choire. The survey work will be concentrated within the cable route corridor indicated in the attached NtM. Survey campaign operations commenced on 24th August and are now expected to continue for a further 14 days from the date of this notice (22nd September 2023) until 6th October 2023.
The survey work will be concentrated within the cable route corridor indicated.
Survey campaign operations commenced on 24th August and are now expected to continue for a further 14 days from the date of this notice (22nd September 2023) until 6th October 2023.
Work Description The survey operations will use a combination of Spectrum 1 and Spectrum Nyquist vessels.
These vessels will acquire data from survey line plan within a corridor around the proposed cable route. An additional larger operational area around the survey area will be utilised for vessel manoeuvring.
Survey work will be undertaken on a 12-hour daytime basis. During operations, the vessel will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre.
Should any vessel wish to come within 500m of a survey vessel, then direct communication with the Master is required.
The vessel will display the appropriate lights / shapes for their operations.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that all navigation (and aviation) lights at the offshore wind farm are extinguished until further notice.
Please be advised from 18th of September 2023 and after 12 months spent at sea, the Floating LiDAR system deployed to the Celtic sea on 10/07/22 to record wind and meteocean data will be decommissioned. This decommissioning is currently delayed due to weather.
Coordinates where the FliDAR buoy is deployed are provided in the table and charts below. The buoy will be towed back to the port of Padstow or Pembroke by a small works vessel. Key stages of the recovery are listed below: 1. Unit secured for towing by the vessels 2. Concrete sinker and mooring system loaded onto multipurpose vessel; 3. Recovery of the unit and of its mooring system by the vessel, and towing to the port; 4. Dissassembly of the unit and its mooring system ashore.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that survey work is being carried out along the Western HVDC Link cable route in the Firth of Clyde, North Channel, western Irish Sea and Liverpool Bay by the vessel DSV Curtis Marshall. The work is due to start in October 2023 and to be completed in November 2023.
The survey will extend along the full 390km length of the WHVDC cable route, from Hunterston in the Firth of Clyde, through the North Channel, to the west and south of the Isle of Man and then towards the Wirral coast. The location of the survey work is illustrated in a map in the Notice to Mariners.
During the survey the vessel DSV Curtis Marshall will carry out a detailed geophysical inspection survey using a multibeam echosounder and side scan sonar data acquisition. The vessel will be mapping a series of parallel lines along sections of the route using this equipment. Marine mammal observations and passive acoustic monitoring will be recorded during these operations.
The survey will begin at a depth of approximately 20m below CD at each end of the cable, abutting the shallow water surveys that were completed in August of this year. The survey will take place within a working area of +/-100m from the published route.
The operations are due to begin as early as the 2nd October 2023 and could extend until the 5th of November 2023. These dates are subject to weather and sea conditions over this period.
Vessel details
The DSV Curtis Marshall is a 26m survey vessel. It has a red hull and a white superstructure. Information about the vessel, including its current location, can be found at the Marine Traffic website using the link below:-
The survey vessel will operate on a 24 hour basis. Possible ports of call include Campbeltown, Ardrossan, Holyhead and Liverpool.
The DSV Curtis Marshall will be towing equipment approximately 1000m from its stern. Fishing vessels operating in the area are asked to deploy static fishing gear in a manner that will minimise the risk of entanglement during the survey period.
The vessel involved in this work may be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre and other vessels are reminded to pass at a safe speed and maintain a wide berth of at least 0.5 nautical miles distance.
Vessels operating in the area are asked to contact DSV Curtis Marshall on VHF Channel 16 to obtain information on planned activity and to allow coactivity and cooperation.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that a geotechnical survey is due to be undertaken for the proposed White Cross Offshore Wind Farm project, starting in mid September for approximately 12 weeks, depending on weather conditions. The surveys will be undertaken from the survey vessel ‘ATHS Boulder’. Currently delayed due to weather.
The reconnaissance geotechnical campaign will comprise two types of survey/sampling:
1. Piezo cone penetration tests (PCPTs)
2. Borehole drilling and sampling
The survey vessel will collect data from different locations inside the project area within which the proposed array and export cable corridor will be located. The extent of the area in which the survey vessel may be located during the survey is shown in Figure 1 with accompanying coordinates.
The survey vessel will operate on a 24hr basis and display appropriate day shapes (mast head signals visually indicating the status of a vessel to other vessels on navigable waters during daylight hours) and lights at all times during operations.
A clearance zone of 500m around the Geotechnical locations of static gear will be requested. The survey work will utilise phased closures in order to minimise disruption any fishers. Exact coordinates of geotechnical locations can be provided via the Fisheries Liaison Officer. Please contact the Fisheries Liaison Officer if you feel the survey affects you and you have not been previously contacted.
An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard the survey vessel to provide advice to the survey contractors and facilitate liaison with the fishing industry. The contact details are provided in section 5.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteAs an update, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc continue to are install the Shetland HVDC Link. For Campaign 2 (from Weisdale Voe, Shetland, KP0.225 to KP57), cable installation has been completed. For Campaign 3 (KP57 to KP160), rock placement works remain to be completed along the cable route. Please see chart and coordinates provided below.
The Shetland HVDC link is a critical electricity transmission link and will form part of the electrical transmission grid that is essential to the transport of renewable energy between the locations where it is generated and areas of demand, and the delivery of both Scotland’s and the United Kingdom’s 2030 climate change targets.
Campaign 3 (KP57 to KP160)
For installation Campaign 3, the vessel, NKT Victoria, has laid the cable on the seabed and the trenching vessel, Grand Canyon III, has trenched the cable to the required burial depth in the seabed.
For any sections along the cable route that have been unable to be trenched, rock placement is being undertaken by the Flintstone and Rockpiper to achieve the required protection. All works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. For any crossings, protection will follow the agreement made with the asset owner. In the period between cable lay and cable burial, or protection by rock placement, the cable will be exposed on the seafloor.
During this time the cable is sensitive to any external impact and constitutes a snagging risk for anchoring, fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention. For this reason, the Campaign 3 cable corridor will remain closed for any fishing that interacts with the seabed, anchoring or use of other equipment with seabed intervention.
To protect the cable in the cable corridor, Guard Vessels are deployed along the route. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m safe distance from the rock placement vessels and pass at reduced speed. It is advised that mobile fishing gear should not be placed within 500m of the cable corridor. Static fishing gear, or any other equipment that interacts with the seabed, should not be deployed within the cable corridor.
Co-ordinates of the cable route and charts of the working area are provided below.
Please be aware that vessels Flintstone and Rockpiper will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972). Masters of vessels are therefore requested to maintain their vessels at a minimum safe passing distance of 500 metres.
For restricted areas, communication should be made to Flintstone, Rockpiper and the Guard Vessels for safe passage. Flintstone and Rockpiper will display the appropriate shapes and lights in accordance with COLREGs Rules 16 and 18.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteAll Mariners are advised that the Leonardo Da Vinci (LDV) continues with cable lay and burial of the 2 Export Cables & 1 Fibre Optic Cable (all bundled) that were installed into the HDD ducts at Landfall (Marske by The Sea) on Sofia OWF project.
The cable lay vessel (CLV) “Leonardo Da Vinci” will be present for the entire scope of works. The Leonardo Da Vinci will transit from Middlesborough Support Depot and remain on site. 24 hour operations will be undertaken for simultaneous cable lay and burial. The CLV will make passage to and from the support depot as required based on operational constraints. The CLV will be supported by the guard vessels as detailed in the table below.
Five of these guard vessels will be onsite 24 hours per day, returning to North Shields as based on operational requirements. Operations are expected to last until December 2023, with guard vessels remaining on site.
Exclusion zone coordinates for 2023 cable pull-in and cable lay works are detailed within the table above and attached Notice to Mariners (NtM).
The coordinates of the guard vessel locations for the cable pull-in and cable lay works for Campaign 1 are detailed within the table above and attached NtM.
Cable Landfall Works
Nearshore cable landfall works are due to commence for the installation of two export cables and one fibre optic cable into pre-installed HDD ducts and 2km pre-excavated marine trench within the SOWF export corridor. These works are expected to last approximately 1 week. Weather permitting, construction works will be carried out on a continuous basis (i.e. 24-hour working, seven days a week). Vessels detailed in the below table will be operating in the nearshore area to facilitate the cable landing. These works are expected to last until circa 8th September 2023.
Due to the mode of operation and equipment deployed, vessels will at times be Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre as defined under COLREGS. Special Marker Buoys (SMB) will be in place to mark the HDD works area amd will remain in place until completion of the export cable landing activities. The locations of these SMBs are detailed in the above table and attached NtM.
HDD & Marine Trench Reinstatement – 8th September
Following cable installation, reinstatement will commence to return the seabed to its original condition. HDD end completion and cable burial will commence from approximately 8th September. Works will be running 24hr operations as deemed required and are expected to last until end of September 2023.
During this phase, Capall Mara Backhoe Dredger will be operating along the 2km trench, and Multicat Ocean Energy at the HDD supporting diving activities. Celtic Mara and/ or Celtic Guardian will be supporting Crew Transfer.
The Ocean Energy Multicat will be on a mooring spread to facilitate diving activities at the HDD works area. Four (4) anchors will remain in place at the location as detailed in the above table and attached NtM. These moorings will remain in place through the duration of the landfall and reinstatement works.
The Celtic Mara and/or Celtic Guardian and Ocean Energy shall be travelling daily to the works site from Hartlepool Port. The Capall Mara may remain on site for longer periods but will make passage to and from Hartlepool Port as required based on operational weather constraints.
The exact start and finish dates will be dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress. Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from vessels and equipment. Fishing vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and remain outside of the exclusion area identified. All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity/nearby operations etc. Vessels will be monitoring channel VHF 16 and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes/lights and flag for vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre.
***Within the working area there may be a temporary reduction in navigable depth up to 2m due to excavated material being placed in spoil heaps***
Mariners are advised of the following vessels commencing operations at Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF).
Vessel Name | Vessel Type | Length (m) | Beam (m) | Draft (m) | Gross Tonnage (T) | Call Sign | MMSI Number |
Leonardo Da Vinci | Cable Lay Vessel | 171 | 34 | 8.5 | 27,500 | IJVJ2 | 247415300 |
Capall Mara | Special Service Dipper Dredger (Backhoe) | 39.6 | 14 | 2.5 | 498 | MBSF3 | 232010652 |
Celtic Guardian | DSV / CTV | 14 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 9.5 | 2IZH5 | 235114006 |
Celtic Mara | CTV | 11 | 3.4 | 0.75 | - | 2GLP3 | 235098447 |
CRC Voyager | CTV | 15 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 9.2 | MBZZ7 | 232011764 |
Ocean Engery | Multicat / DSV | 22.04 | 9.04 | 3.2 | 102 | MNKI5 | 232046909 |
C59 Emotion | Jack Up Barge | 18.3 | 18.3 | 0.45 | 150 | MOIF4 | 232050706 |
C57 Red Squirrell | Jack Up Barge | 18.3 | 18.3 | 0.45 | 150 | MOIF3 | 232050705 |
Nearshore Explorer | MBES Vessel | 6.3 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.82 | MDNG8 | 232016908 |
Sancta Maria | Guard Vessel | 20.37 | 6 | 3.03 | 106 | 2FOV7 | 235093015 |
Linda C | Guard Vessel | 32.10 | 7.8 | 4.15 | 269 | YJQT8 | 576190000 |
Inge | Guard Vessel | 29.7 | 6.2 | 3.1 | 192 | YJSN5 | 577097000 |
Jason II | Guard Vessel | 26.02 | 6.01 | 3.21 | 127 | MJFY4 | 232036020 |
Dolfijn | Guard Vessel | 27 | 6.2 | 3.1 | 99 | YJQL8 | 576697000 |
Mary Ann | Guard Vessel | 32.7 | 7 | 3.6 | 53 | YJTV2 | 577256000 |
Vesnus II | Guard Vessel | 24 | 7.4 | 3.15 | 145 | HP9337 | 370046000 |
Walvis | Guard Vessel | 27 | 6.4 | 3.32 | 108 | YJQG3 | 576448000 |
Artemis | Guard Vessel | 23.13 | 6.36 | 3.2 | 75.32 | 2SNV | 235006582 |
Enterprise II | Guard Vessel | 26 | 9.2 | 4.7 | 421 | MPFN7 | 232006130 |
The table below also provides the position and description of any equipment/asset/item that will remain in place following demobilisation of the Ievoli Ivory.
Location | Equipment and Description | Latitude | Longitude | Approximate Depth (LAT) |
A |
Concrete mattresses 3 of 5.95 m x 2.95 m x 0.30 m |
54°38.544’ N | 000°35.147’W | 55m |
B |
Concrete mattresses 1 of 5.95 m x 2.95 m x 0.30 m |
54°38.572’ N | 000°35.142’W | 55m |
C |
Concrete mattresses 2 of 5.95 m x 2.95 m x 0.30 m 1 of 5.55 m x 2.95 m x 0.50 m |
54°48.144’ N | 000°37.515’E | 74m |
All Mariners are advised that on or around 19 September 2023, Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF) offshore cable protection works are due to commence for the deployment of temporary rock bags within the SOWF export corridor. These works are expected to last approximately 1 week and remain in situ until cable burial in November. The exact start and finish dates will be dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress.
Weather permitting, construction works will be carried out on a continuous basis (i.e., 24-hour working, seven days a week).
The Cable Lay Vessel 'Cable Enterprise' (CENT), by virtue of mode of operation and the equipment deployed, will at times be Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre as defined under COLREGS. The CENT will have a limited manoeuvrability (Landfall, Diving, Excavation) positioning the rock bags in the water with the stern crane with rock bags being deployed every 200m starting from approx. KP 6.0 to KP 11.
The exclusion zones for the works is a 500m radius, with the working area and exclusion zone shown in the table above. This working area is located within the current wider exclusion area as detailed within NtM 011 Rev 2-2023.
Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from vessels and equipment. Fishing vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and remain outside of the exclusion area identified.
All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc.
Given the maximum height of the rock bags (400mm) and the water depth deeper than 18m LAT, no severe temporary reduction of water depth will occur.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteJack up Vessel Wind Enterprise on site for major component exchange on WTG GN-D7M. Commencing 19 September 2023 running to 10 October 2023 subject to weather.
Please be advised that Next Geosolutions will be performing a geotechnical site investigation campaign on the Norfolk Offshore Windfarm survey on behalf of Vattenfall. The Norfolk sites, NV and NB (part of EANOWZ) are located approximately 40NM north-east of Great Yarmouth on the United Kingdom continental shelf, North Sea.
The base case for the geotechnical work is as follows: • Deep push seabed CPTU at each turbine location and substation locations plus additional spare positions to refusal;
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that SSE Renewables will be returning to the Cambois Marine Scheme Export Cable Route area to undertake further Geotechnical survey work. The survey will be within the proposed export cable corridor.
It should be noted that SSE Renewables are not expecting fishermen to relocate gear - on this occasion the vessel(s) will work around any gear on location. A scouting/guard vessel will operate ahead of the survey vessel to ensure that this can be achieved.
The survey work is being undertaken by GEO and will be conducted from the vessel Connector. The geotechnical survey is due to start on 01 October 2023. The scouting/guard vessel will be the GV Courage SH170.
Survey Duration
The survey will mobilise between 01 -14 October 2023 lasting approximately 2 months. To account for all eventualities, we would like to extend the duration to 31 December 2023.
Survey Tasks
The scope of work within the main array area will comprise deep CPT downhole pushes into sand and clay, vibrocores and thermal resistivity testing. During the campaign, the survey vessel will be deploying underwater equipment to obtain samples and assess the geology in the area.
As a consequence of equipment being deployed and the modes of operation, all mariners are advised to keep a safe clearance distance of no less than 500m from the vessel(s). No towed equipment will be used.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteUpdate: Phase 1 complete, Phases 2 & 3 date change and Phase 3 vessel details. Mariners are advised that from 28th August 2023, for a period of approximately 56 days (subject to weather), Simply Blue Energy (Scotland) Limited will be executing a Geotechnical Survey Campaign for the proposed Salamander Offshore Wind Farm. Operations will be completed by survey vessels ‘Normand Superior’ and 'Geoquip Seehorn'. Please maintain a safe distance of at least 500 m clearance from the deployed vessels.
Ocean Ecology Ltd will be undertaking a benthic characterisation survey inclusive of a drop-down camera assessment, seabed grab and water sampling at the Arven Offshore Wind Farm site east of Lerwick from the 20th September 2023.
Please be advised that from the 20th September 2023 Ocean Ecology Ltd (OEL) will be undertaking a benthic characterisation survey inclusive of a drop-down camera assessment, seabed grab and water sampling within the area shown in this notice. These works are part of the Arven Offshore Wind Farm Ltd project. The works will be completed by personnel from OEL onboard the vessel MV Situla, which will mobilise from Lerwick. Full vessel details are presented in the attached Notice. The survey operations do not involve towed survey equipment.
The survey is scheduled to be completed by the 2nd October 2023, weather dependent. Weather permitting, works will be carried out on a continuous basis, 24-hours per day, seven days a week.
Upon adverse weather conditions, if the MV Situla is not able to hold on position, it will seek shelter or return to Lerwick port.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that Briggs Marine Contractors (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking a subsea route survey within the corridor identified below. Please note that the Spectrum 1 has completed survey works and Nyquist will be the only remaining vessel on site. Survey operations with Nyquist are due to commence on 19 September and will last approximately 14 days (excluding weather).
Please be advised that Briggs Marine Contractors (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking a subsea route survey within the corridor identified in the attached Notice to Mariners (NtM).
Please note that the Spectrum 1 has completed survey works and Nyquist will be the only remaining vessel on site.Survey operations with Nyquist are due to commence on 19th September and will last approximately 14 days (excluding weather).
Work Description
Survey operations with Spectrum 1 have now been completed and the Spectrum Nyquist will remain on site. Nyquist will acquire data from a survey line plan within a corridor around the proposed cable route. An additional larger operational area around the survey area will be utilised for vessel manoeuvring.
Survey work will be undertaken on a 12-hour daytime basis. During operations, the Nyquist will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. Should any vessel wish to come within 500m of a survey vessel, then direct communication with the Master is required.
The vessel will display the appropriate lights / shapes for their operations.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteOne metocean buoy and two FLiDAR buoys to be deployed within the Salamander Offshore Array Area. Deployment is planned for 20 Sept 2023 (exact date of deployment subject to change due to weather and/or operational delays); buoys will be remain in situ for minimum of 12 months. Buoys will be deployed to site by Fugro using the vessel Boemmelbas (MMSI 257180000), mobilising out of Bømlo Harbour (Norway). Marine users are advised to maintain a safe clearance distance of 500m from the buoys.
Planned deployment within the Salamander Offshore Array Area consists of:
Illustrative figures showing the buoy dimensions and general mooring arrangement are provided in the attached NtM.
Once in the water the top of the tallest mast is around 4 meters above the sea level. The buoys' drifting radius is approximately 240 m from their deployment positions.
The buoys are fitted with the following navigational safety features:
The Offshore installation vessel, HLV Seaway Strashnov, and the Heavy Lift Crane Vessel, Seaway Alfa Lift will install offshore wind turbine foundations, within the Dogger Bank A construction area.
The works will commenced on the 26th of September 2022, continuing until approximately Q1 2024 The works will be continuous 24 hours a day. A running list of the next locations to be installed and completed foundation locations are presented in the Weekly Notice of Operations.
The installed monopiles are marked with temporary lighting with the following characteristics:
• Flashing (Fl) Yellow (Y) 2.5 seconds (s)
• IALA Availability Category 2 (not less than 99.0%)
• 360° visibility – up to two lights per structure may be used to achieve this
• At least 2 nm range.
During operations, the HLV Seaway Strashnov and the Seaway Alfa Lift will be restricted in ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessels will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message.
During operations, a Statutory Safety zone of 500m radius will be in place around the HLV Seaway Strashnov and the Seaway Alfa Lift during the installation of foundations. The safety zones will be monitored by a guard vessel. The primary response will be to warn passing traffic of the ongoing works and any active safety zones, and to alert any vessels where an infringement may occur or has occurred.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe Cable Lay Vessel (CLV) VIKING NEPTUN will conduct Inter Array Cable laying operations in the Dogger Bank A OWF. The Walk to Work DP2 vessel WIND OF PRIDE will assist with cable installation and termination works.
The WIND OF PRIDE will commence with pull in preparation works on the 25th of May 2023 and continue installation and termination works until approximately 31st of December 2023. The VIKING NEPTUN will commence cable lay works on the 6th of June 2023. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. A chart of the DBA cable array area is provided below.
The walk to work vessel will deploy and pick up tower teams on the different foundations to support the cable pull in and the cable installation finalization works. The cable lay vessel will deploy the inter array cable onto the seabed through her dedicated deck spread.
During operations, the WIND OF PRIDE and VIKING NEPTUN will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 1.5Nm separation distance from the vessels and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteBuchan Offshore Wind are developing the proposed Buchan Offshore Wind Farm (formerly NE8). Mariners are advised that Ocean Infinity, on behalf of Buchan Offshore Wind are conducting geotechnical surveys to inform the projects development. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners is to outline the working area for the survey vessel, as well as scope of work.
Survey Description
Vessel mobilisation for these works is anticipated to be 22/09/2023 dependent on weather. Duration of works is estimated to be up to 35 days. Please note this is subject to weather conditions and may be extended. During the survey, the vessel will be deploying underwater survey equipment to conduct vibrocores.
Safety Advice
During the survey, the vessels will be deploying underwater survey equipment. The vessel will be restricted in their ability to maneuver and will display the appropriate lights and shapes prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Other vessels are requested to provide a minimum clearance of 500 m from the survey vessel during marine operations, and pass at a safe speed. VHF Channel 16 will be monitored by the vessel. The vessel will also transmit regular Automatic Transmission System (AIS) Messages. Should adverse weather conditions occur during the works the vessel will seek shelter at the masters discretion.
Fisheries Liaison
Fisheries liaison associated with the activity will be coordinated by Blackhall and Powis. For any commercial fishery queries please contact the Fisheries Liaison Officers.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised about Marine Survey Works for the Eastern Green Link 2 & 3 Projects. The area of work, pertaining to this Notice to Mariners (NtM) for both EGL 2 & 3, is illustrated below. The marine survey activities for EGL 2 are planned to commence at Sandford Bay, Peterhead from the 23 July 2023, the works for EGL 3 are due to commence from around the 7th August 2023, and are due to be completed by around the 13th September 2023, subject to weather.
Mariners are advised about Marine Survey Works for the Eastern Green Link 2 & 3 Projects.
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc and National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc are delivering the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL 2) Project. While, Scottish & Southern Electricity Transmission (SHET) and National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc are delivering the Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) Project.
The survey works for EGL 2 precedes the installation of an electricity transmission link from the East coast of Scotland (Sandford Bay, Peterhead) to the East coast of England (South of Bridlington/ Flamborough Head).
The survey works for EGL 3 precedes the installation of an electricity transmission link from the East coast of Scotland (Sandford Bay, Peterhead) to the East coast of England (along the Lincolnshire Coast).
The EGL 2 marine survey works are being carried out by GeoXYZ and the EGL 3 marine survey works are being carried out by Next Geosolutions.
The area of work, pertaining to this Notice to Mariners (NtM) for both EGL 2 & 3, is illustrated below, with the survey vessel contact details for each respective project found in the attached file.
The marine survey activities for EGL 2 are planned to commence at Sandford Bay, Peterhead from the 23rd July 2023, the works for EGL 3 are due to commence from around the 7th August 2023, and are due to be completed by around the 13th September 2023, subject to weather.
The Nearshore works are to be conducted within the area shown by Figure 1 and coordinates also detailed in Figure 1, in the attached NtM.
All vessels shall pass at a safe speed and distance, whilst fishing vessels shall remain at a safe distance (approximately 500 meters where possible) (COLREGs Rule 16 & 18) from the areas identified during marine survey operations. The aforementioned survey vessels will be restricted in her ability to maneuver and shall deploy towed sensors during geophysical survey operations only. The survey vessels will monitor VHF Channel 16 at all times. Mobile contacts for the vessels are listed at the end of the attached NtM.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that a geophysical and benthic data survey to provide an understanding of potential archeological features, habitats and UXO identification is due to be undertaken for the proposed Cenos Offshore Wind Farm project, starting in mid-July for approximately two months in total covering the windfarm area and cable route depending on weather conditions.
Planned Activity
Please be advised that a geophysical and benthic data survey to provide an understanding of potential archeological features, habitats and UXO identification is due to be undertaken for the proposed Cenos Offshore Wind Farm project, starting in mid-July for approximately two months in total covering the windfarm area and cable route depending on weather conditions.
The survey vessel has been secured and is the Glomar Supporter.
The reconnaissance geophysical survey campaign will comprise of a Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) Magnetometer, Sub-bottom Profiler (SBP) and Multi-channel seismic. A MBES/SSS Survey of the seabed shall be performed, utilising towed sensors, at each proposed sample location.
The survey vessel will collect data from different locations inside the project area within which the proposed array and export cable corridor will be located. The extent of the area in which the survey vessel may be located during the survey is shown in Figure 1 in the attached Notice to Mariners (NtM) with accompanying coordinates (Table 1 in the attached). It should be noted that the survey will only be conducted outside 12 nm.
The survey vessel will operate on a 24-hour basis and display appropriate day shapes (mast head signals visually indicating the status of a vessel to other vessels on navigable waters during daylight hours) and lights at all times during operations.
Please contact the Fisheries Liaison Officer in Section 6 if you feel the survey affects you and you have not been previously contacted.
Please contact the Fisheries Liaison Officer if you feel the survey affects you and you have not been previously contacted. An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard the survey vessel to provide advice to the survey contractors and facilitate liaison with the fishing industry.
An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard the survey vessel to provide advice to the survey contractors and facilitate liaison with the fishing industry. The contact details are provided in Section 5 in the attached.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Please be advised that Briggs Marine Contractors (on behalf of SHEPD) have completed diving operations to install subsea cable protection along the recently installed Carradale-Arran subsea cable route.
Please be advised that Briggs Marine Contractors (on behalf of SHEPD) have completed diving operations to install subsea cable protection along the recently installed Carradale-Arran subsea cable route.
The Forth Guardsman was utilised as a Diver Support Vessel for diver operations, along with a RHIB support boat.
Vessel Operations The following vessels were utilised along the route:
Works were complete Tuesday 12th September 2023.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe work involves acquiring insitu Cone Penetration Test data up to 60m below seafloor and collecting soil samples up to 60m below seafloor. While the vessel is collecting data the Ocean Zephyr will remain on DP2 and will effectively be anchored to the seafloor with a recovery time up to one our if the vessel needs to be maneuvered in an emergency.
Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will be conducting Geophysical Surveys surveys in Yell Sound, Shetland commencing no earlier than the 19th of September
As part of the Shetland Renewables Connection Project SSEN will be undertaking Geophysical surveys in Yell Sound.
Marine operations will commence no earlier than 19th September 2023, for a duration of approximately three weeks.
Operations will be conducted from the vessel Athenia. During operations, Athenia will be operating a pole mounted sub bottom profiler. Average vessel speed will be 3.5 knots when conducting survey operations. There will be no towed sensors behind the vessel.
The operationwill be carried out during daylight hours only, up to 12 hours a day. The vessel will display the appropriate day shapes/signals, and during reduced visibility, the appropriate lights required by the IRPCS. Additionally, the vessel will actively transmit an AIS signal. A continuous listening watch will be maintained on VHF Channel 16 and DSC. The requested safety zone around the vessel while working is 1 nm and is at the discretion of the Captain.
Full details are contained in the attached NTM 002.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Galloper Windfarm will be carrying out blade repairs via rope access teams across the North & South fields on WTG GN-D2B, GN-G1C, GS-D2J, GS-C1K. An exclusion zone of 250m is required around the asset whilst rope technician teams are in situ.
Partrac Ltd. is scheduled to deploy an array of metocean equipment, including one floating LiDAR (FLIDAR) buoy, over a period of 24 months, and two Datawell Waverider buoys and one Seabed mooring for 12 months within the Spiorad na Mara offshore wind farm site located off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. The deployments at the Spiorad na Mara site are estimated to be carried out over two days from 27 September 2023, weather permitting, using the vessel Green Isle.
The FLiDAR buoy records meteorological data and is anchored to the seabed by means of a mooring chain and a ground weight. The buoy has dimensions of 4m x 4m, and when deployed the tallest mast on the buoy sits approx. 4m above the water line. The lantern will have a flash sequence (Fl) (5) Y 20s.
The two wavebuoys deployed will be yellow spherical buoys, each measuring 1.1 m diameter, and fitted with a flashing antenna with sequence Fl (5) Y 20s.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteDrop down video and benthic grab sampling within Dogger Bank C. During operations, the MV Vos Star will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m separation distance from the MV Vos Star and pass at reduced speed
All Mariners are advised that on or around 25th September 2023 for a period of approximately 2 weeks, the Seajacks Jack up Lift Vessel (JLV) “Scylla” will be conducting jacking trials within the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Array.
The exact start and finish dates will be dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress.
During the jacking trials, the Seajacks Scylla will be restricted in its availability to manoeuvre. Mariners are advised to remain 500m from the vessel and remain outside of the working exclusion zone shown in the table above.
Throughout these operations the vessel will be displaying the shapes and lights prescribed in the International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Rule 27, (Vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre) and will be monitoring channel VHF 16.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThis notice to mariners is to inform that Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (Moray West) will be carrying out pre-lay grapnel route clearance and ROV survey operations from the vessel Seaway Aimery at the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm site.
Scope of work includes deployment of grapnel equipment from a winch wire which will be towed by the vessel , this is to relocate any rope/ wire debris from cable routes, ahead of forthcoming cable lay activities (a separate NtM will be issued for lay operations in the future). Also an ROV survey of the array cable routes will be conducted.
The work will be performed by the Seaway Aimery.
General Safety Advice
Please be aware that, during the PLGR work activities, by virtue of its mode of operation the Seaway Aimery will be Restricted in her Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM) and will also display the appropriate day shapes while conducting PLGR operations are taking place as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, Rule 3).
Masters of approaching vessels are therefore requested to maintain their vessels and gears at a minimum safe passing distance from the vessel of 500 metres when it is undertaking work and showing the appropriate shapes and lights in accordance with COLREGs Rule 27 to not compromise the safety of the ‘Seaway Aimery’ and their crew, and the ability to undertake its contracted works.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that all Demarcation Buoys marking the perimeter of the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm array site and Met-Ocean Buoys deployed within the array site and along the Export Cable Route have now all been successully deployed.
***NAVIGATIONAL WARNING 11th Sept 2023***
Mariners are advised that the Met Ocean Buoy at KP40 (Position: 54° 40.524' N x 0° 26.735' W) has been reported as off station.
The Metocean Buoy at KP40 has been successfully recovered and is now in Hartlepool awaiting inspection and then reinstatement (date TBC).
As it is currently unknown if the mooring is attached to the buoy, please avoid the KP40 coordinates highlighted within the table above by at least 100m until further notice.
Mariners are requested to refrain from entering and transiting through the construction area as demarcated by these demarcation buoys.
The table below provides a summary of each Cardinal and Special Mark Buoy deployed at the SOWF array, including target coordinates in WGS84 Degrees Decimal Minutes and a description of top mark and lantern characteristics. The Demarcation Buoys will be deployed for a period of approximately three years.
Buoy | ID | Latitude | Longitude | Lantern Characteristics | Lantern Colour |
North Cardinal | N1 | 55° 08.133’ N | 002° 09.518' E |
VQ 0.5s |
White |
North Cardinal | N2 | 55° 08.436’ N | 002° 13.418’ E |
Q 1s |
White |
East Cardinal | E1 | 55° 06.480’ N | 002° 16.929’ E |
Q(3) 10s |
White |
East Cardinal | E2 | 55° 02.571’ N | 002° 23.925' E |
VQ(3) 5s |
White |
East Cardinal | E3 | 54° 59.043’ N | 002° 30.269’ E |
Q(3) 10s |
White |
East Cardinal | E4 | 54° 55.085’ N | 002° 26.631’ E |
VQ(3) 5s |
White |
East Cardinal | E5 | 54° 51.523’ N | 002° 20.709' E |
Q(3) 10s |
White |
South Cardinal | S1 | 54° 49.725’ N | 002° 16.726' E |
Q(6) + LFL 15s |
White |
West Cardinal | W1 | 54° 51.829’ N | 002° 12.194' E |
Q(9) 15s |
White |
West Cardinal | W2 | 54° 56.229’ N | 002° 03.867' E |
VQ(9) 10s |
White |
West Cardinal | W3 | 55° 00.623’ N | 001° 56.196' E |
Q(9) 15s |
White |
West Cardinal | W4 | 55° 04.648’ N | 002° 02.498' E |
VQ(9) 10s |
White |
Special Mark | SP1 | 55° 02.741’ N | 001° 59.756' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP2 | 55° 06.569’ N | 002° 05.756' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP3 | 55° 04.525’ N | 002° 20.428' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP4 | 55° 00.617’ N | 002° 27.418' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP5 | 54° 56.871’ N | 002° 29.602' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP6 | 54° 53.324’ N | 002° 23.621' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP7 | 54° 54.030’ N | 002° 08.026' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
Special Mark | SP8 | 54° 58.427’ N | 001° 59.703' E |
FI Y 5s |
Yellow |
The table below provides a summary of the Met-ocean Buoys deployed at the SOWF Array.
Site Location | Buoy Position | Latitude | Longitude | Deployment Date | Recovery Date |
Export Cable | Array North | 55° 5.392' N | 2° 12.993' E | June 2023 | June 2026 |
Export Cable | Array South | 54° 54.987' N | 2° 15.585' E | June 2023 | June 2026 |
The table below provides a summary of the Met-ocean Buoys deployed alone the SOWF export cable route.
Site Location | Buoy Position | Latitude | Longitude | Deployment Date | Recovery Date |
Export Cable | KP2 (from shore) | 54° 36.508' N | 1° 0.175' W | June 2023 | Oct 2023 |
Export Cable | KP8 | 54° 36.584' N | 0° 54.674' W | June 2023 | Oct 2023 |
Export Cable | KP40 | 54° 40.524' N | 0° 26.735' W | June 2023 | Oct 2023 |
Export Cable |
KP130 |
54° 50.543' N | 0° 54.689' E | June 2023 | Sept 2024 |
Mariners are advised that Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm Limited (NnGOWL) has commenced the installation of offshore wind turbines within the Neart Na Gaoithe (NnG) Wind Farm Area. The work began on the 15th of July 2023 and is presently ongoing.
Wind turbines will be installed onto pre-installed jackets in the NnG Wind Farm Area. The turbines will be brought to site and installed from the Port of Dundee by the Blue Tern vessel (call sign 9HA5208) and WTG commissioning will be carried out using the HST Swansea call sign (MNGM8). The Farra Ciara call sign (MKPT9) crew transfer vessel (CTV) will be supporting the turbine installation campaigns. The Channel Chieftain VI CTV (call sign 9HB8741) will be replaced by the Green Storm (call sign: 2EXU3) from the 28th of August 2023, at the earliest. The Green Storm will be carrying out refuelling works for the WTG temporary generators.
Additional vessel information and contact details will be updated in subsequent notices.
Mariners are advised that the aforementioned vessels will be working within the NnG Wind Farm Area
Vessels over 15m are also requested to have AIS turned on and detectable when in the vicinity of construction
works
Schedule
The turbine installation work commenced from 15th of July 2023and is currently ongoing. It is anticipated that the
installation works will continue throughout 2023.
Weather permitting, construction works will be carried out on a continuous basis, 24-hours per day, seven days a
week.
For updates on the progress of the works, information will be provided in the Weekly Notice of Operations available
on the NnG project website: https://nng
Vessel Name | Vessel Type | Vessel Role | Call Sign | Maritime Mobile Service Identity | IMO | On Board Contact | Onshore Representative |
Blue Tern | Jack-up Vessel | Turbine Installation | 9HA5208 |
215644000 | 9598737 |
Blue Tern Master email: master.blt@fredolsen.com +47 5100 5334 or +47 5120 6200 |
TBC |
HST Swansea | Turbine Commissioning | Turbine Commissioning | MNGM8 | 232046426 | 9958951 | TBC | TBC |
Farra Ciara | CTV | CTV | VRUG4 | 232039877 | 9944041 | TBC | TBC |
Green Storm | CTV | CTV | 2EXU3 | 235089035 | 9638240 |
Vessel Master cc6@carlinboatcharters.com +44 (0) 7947 885 809 |
Rachel Glen rg@mreltd.co.uk +44 (0) 7597 210 104 |
Seagull | Guard Vessel | MVBO2 |
Vessel Master seagullbf74@gmail.com +44 (0)1261 878040 + 44(0)7895 919100 |
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Tranquillity S | Guard Vessel | MJUH9 |
Vessel Master spousekeil@yahoo.com +4 (0) 1346 454758 |
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm Limited (NnGOWL) have completed the pre-lay grapnel run (PLGR) for inter-array cables within the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm site. The PLGR activities began on the 10th of August and were completed on the 14th August. Cable lay commenced on the 25th August at the earliest.
The PLGR was completed by the vessel Pacific Dispatch (call sign: 9VFW6) using a grapnel towed from the vessel. The grapnel was deployed to detect and remove surface debris located on the inter-array cable routes, and at the wind turbine and offshore substation topside locations. The Pacific Dispatch has left the NnG site.
A Cable Lay Vessel, the Viking Neptun (call sign: LAYH7), will lay the inter-array cable onto the seabed for this second IAC campaign. Cable lay works commenced on the 25th August at the earliest and take around 4 weeks to complete. The laid cables will be left unburied and unprotected on the seabed until October 2023. Cable pull-in and termination and testing works will take place from the CF Explorer, call sign (5BKK5), from the 27th August at the earliest and last around 7 days.
Cable burial works are due to take place from the 1st October, from the vessel Living Stone, call sign (PBXN) and last around 6 weeks.
The crew transfer vessels; MCS Boreas (call sign: 2GDR8) and the Seazip 9 (call sign: PGYL) will be supporting this campaign from the 28th of August, at the earliest
Contact details for the Pacific Dispatch vessel have been updated in table 2 below. Further details of the vessels involved are provided in tables 3-7 below and vessel contact details will be provided in a subsequent NtM. Details of CTV’s and Walk to Work vessels involved in cable pull in and termination and testing works will also be provided in a subsequent NtM.
Area of Operations
Mariners are advised that the Pacific Dispatch, Viking Neptun, CF Explorer and Living Stone vessels will be working within the boundaries of the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, shown in Figure 1 within the coordinates shown in Table 1 All vessels are requested to remain at least 500 meters away from all the work vessels and static fishing gear is requested to be removed from the exclusion area shown in Figure 1 and Table 1. Vessels over 15m are also requested to have AIS turned on and detectable when in the vicinity of construction works. The second cable lay in campaign is due to begin on the 14th of August and last around 4 weeks. Cable pull-in and termination and testing works are due to commence on the 20th August and continue throughout 2023. Cable burial is due to commence on the 1st October and is anticipated to last around 6 weeks. It is anticipated that all PLGR and cable lay in activities will be completed by end of December 2023, weather dependant.
Schedule
The inter-array cable PLGR commencedon the 10th August 2023 and was completed on the 14th August. The second cable lay in campaign is due to begin on the 25th of August and expected to last around 4 weeks. Cable pull-in and termination and testing works are due to commence on the 27th August and continue throughout 2023. Cable burial is due to commence on the 1st October and is anticipated to last around 6 weeks. It is anticipated that all PLGR and cable lay in activities will be completed by end of December 2023, weather dependant.
Weather permitting, constructions work will be carried out on a continuous basis; 24-hour working, seven days a week
For updates on the progress of the works, information will be provided in the Weekly Notice of Operations available on the NnG project website: https://nngoffshorewind.com/downloads/
Vessel Associated with the Activity
Vessel Name | Vessel Role | Call Sign | Maritime Mobile Service Identity | On board Contact |
MCS Boreas | Crew Transfer Vessel | 2GDR8 | 235096501 | Captain Phone: +44 7876 861 748 VSAT Phone: +44 1475 830 689 Email:csboreas@maritimecraft.co.uk |
Seazip 9 | Crew Transfer Vessel | PGYL | 245662000 |
Captain Phone: +31 6 22 00 96 26 Email: PGYL@SeaZip.com |
Viking Neptune | Cable Lay Out Vessel | LAYH7 | 258789000 |
Mobile Captain Captain.VikingNeptun@deme-group.com / Bridge.VikingNeptun@deme-group.com +47 9746 9156 |
CF Explorer | Cable pull-in, termination & testing | 5BKK5 | 209816000 | TBC |
Living Stone | Cable Burial Vessel | PBXN | 244010952 | TBC |
Seagull | Guard Vessel | MVBO2 |
Vessel Master seagullbf74@gmail.com +44 (0)1261 8788040 +44(0) 7895 919100 |
|
Tranquility S | Guard Vessel | MJUH9 |
David Spouse spousefishing@gmail.com 01890 530 168 |
Viking Link have installed a cable between Denmark and United Kingdom and a post-installation survey is going to be performed.
Mariners are advised that survey vessels and equipment will be used in the offshore and nearshore areas in the North Sea, east of UK.
The offshore cable tracking survey work will be carried out by Ocean Infinity and Deep BV using survey vessel M/V Armada 7801, M/V Normand Superior and M/V Stril Explorer. The nearshore cable tracking survey will be carried out by the survey vessels M/V Deep Volans, M/V Deep Marker and M/V Deep Lotus. All vessels shall at all times make sure they have the AIS system turned on when approaching the above 6 vessels.
Work will commence in the UK waters from 15th of September 2023 until approximately 31st of October 2023.
During the survey the vessels M/V Stril Explorer, M/V Armada 7801 and M/V Normand Superior will be using a Work Class ROV (WROV), equipped with Multibeam Echosounder (MBES), cable tracking equipment TSS350/Pangeo-Kraken SBI system and cameras. The WROV will be ~200 m from the vessel and about 1- 5m above seabed, at which such times, the survey vessel has restricted ability to manoeuvre and approaching vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance. During the survey the vessels M/V Deep Volans, M/V Deep Marker and M/V Deep Lotus will be using hullmounted MBES/Innomar Standard/Medium and towed cable tracking equipment TSS350/DOBSTAR Libra which will be approximately 200m behind the vessel and about 1.5 m above seabed, at which such times, the survey vessel has restricted ability to manoeuvre and approaching vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteGreenlink Interconnector Ltd. (GIL) is developing an electricity interconnector between the South-east of Ireland, from Great Island, County Wexford to South-west Wales, at Pembroke, Pembrokeshire. Please be advised that Jan De Nul Luxembourg S.A. shall be undertaking power cable installation and power cable protection activities for the Greenlink Interconnector Ltd. (GIL) project. The works will be carried out by several vessels.
The primary objectives of the works are to:
The operations take place along the planned interconnector route between the landfall location near Freshwater West, Pembroke, Wales and the landfall location near Baginbun Beach, Wexford, Ireland.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteAs part of the Marine Licence ORML1938 granted to Menter Môn Morlais, we are writing to you to notify you of the commencement of scientific activity where notification is required on the below date: Date: 07/09/2023
St Andrews University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) is conducting scientific research in the Morlais Demonstration Zone (MDZ). SMRU wishes to install equipment (Passive Acoustic Monitoring or PAM) on the seabed to gather acoustic data. This document provides information on the planned PAM deployments for the local fishing industry and other sea users in the area.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that a marine geophysical survey is planned for the Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) project. The marine survey activities for EGL 3 are planned to commence on the 31st July 2023 and are expected to complete around the 5th September 2023.
Eastern Green Link 3 is a HVDC electricity transmission interconnector between Scotland and England, a joint venture between National Grid and Scottish & Southern Electricity Transmission (SSEN).
The EGL 3 project will play a vital role in achieving the UK and Scottish governments net zero targets and significantly increase the UK’s capacity for clean, green renewable power.
The EGL 3 marine survey works are being carried out by Next Geosolutions.
The area of work, pertaining to this Notice to Mariners (NtM) for EGL 3, is illustrated in Figure 1, with the survey vessel contact details for the project found in Table 1 and Table 2. Contact details for the project Fisheries Liaison Officers are detailed below.
The non-intrusive geophysical survey works are being carried out by Next Geosolutions using the following vessels:
Survey vessel: Ievoli Cobalt (IMO 9736872; MMSI 247363700; Call Sign IBOK). Supported by a scout vessel: Osprey (IMO: 8790833; Call Sign MBKM6). Vessels and their contact details are given in Table 1 & 2 below.
Vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and fishing vessels are advised to remain a safe distance, approximately 550m (0.3 nautical miles) from the areas identified. During these works the vessel will have restricted manoeuvrability as it completes its work scope. VHF CH 16 will be monitored at all times and will be used to contact the coastguard in the event of an emergency.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteAs previously advised, per NtM ref. No.:NtM-TWP-E3-012, issued 28/07/23, G-tech and Ondine, on behalf of Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), are undertaking a Geophysical survey of the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm export cable corridor. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is to update and outline the working area for the survey vessels, as well as the scope of work. The survey will utilize the vessels Ondine Jule and Mainport Geo.
Ondine and G-Tec will be conducting a Geophysical survey over Bowdun (E3) Export Cable Corridor Area utilizing towed sensors. During the survey the vessels will be operating at approximately 4 knots with equipment being towed at a distance of up to 300m astern of the vessels.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteActivities related to the development of the Triton Knoll wind farm continue, as detailed below. For background information visit: http://www.tritonknoll.co.uk. Mariners are advised that the asset installation phase of the Triton Knoll OWF is now complete.
Mariners are advised that the following vessels are expected to commence operations at the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm (TKOWF) as outlined within recently issued NtM's.
The Green Storm will be conducting an oil change on Wind Turbine G17, coordinates 53° 27.50' N, 0° 52.92' E. During this oil exchange, which will involve transferring oil to and from the top of the Turbine to/from the vessel, there will be a 500m exclusion zone around this location for safety reasons.
Specific weather conditions are required to conduct this task, with maximum allowable wind speed at 10m/s and maximum significant wave height at 1.5m. For this reason, a window of opportunity has been selected and when the conditions are correct, the Oil exchange will take place on that given day.
Once the task has been completed, a further NtM will be released stating this.
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Mariners are advised that the following vessels continue to be active at the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm (TKOWF) as outlined within previously issued NtM's:
All vessels can be contacted via VHF channel 16 when operational in field.
*** Note ***
All 90 WTG's have now been fully installed, whilst WTG commissioning and service continues. All Export Cables are fully installed/buried and need to be deemed live/energised. All Inter Array Cables are fully installed and buried and need to be deemed live/energised. Whilst the main installation works have been completed, major construction commissioning works are continuing.
*** Note ***
Whilst TKOWFL is reopening the site to fishing from the 14th December 2021, TKOWFL kindly request that all fishermen intending to fish within the boundaries of the Triton Knoll wind farm, contact the Triton Knoll control room prior to entering and exiting the field, and inform them of their fishing intentions.
This precaution is requested to safeguard all vessels operational at the TKOWF site (including fishing vessels) and your cooperation, to ensure the safety of all parties is appreciated. The following contact details should be used when notifying the Triton Knoll control room of fishing activity:
Control Room Manager: Derek Whyte Radio: VHF channel 16 Callsign: TK MCC Phone: +44 1793 896250 Email: tkcr@rwe.com *** Note ***
Application of Triton Knoll Wind Farm Safety Zones During Construction The Secretary of State has granted the Application of Safety Zones on the Triton Knoll Wind Farm Project as follows:
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Mariners are advised that all foundations monopiles have been installed and all inter-array and export cables have been installed.
Navigation Warning - 08th January 2021
Mariners are advised that the remnants of a Wave Rider Buoy sinker weight and partial rigging are located within the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Construction site at the following location;
53° 30.442N 000° 50.564E
It is advised that the partial rigging could potentially be floating up to 9.7m above the seabed, reducing the navigable safe water in the immediate area to 10m LAT. Mariners are advised to avoid the indicated position by 250 metres.
Possible Dangers to Navigation - Properties of the polypropylene show that the rope is buoyant, this makes the line sensitive for thruster currents. Taking the site water depth into consideration (19.7m LAT) and the maximum expected height above seabed of the rope 9.7m the line is expected to be floating submerged at approximately -10m LAT. In addition, it is noted that over time sediments will be trapped between the fibres and the heavier rope may finally sink. The polypropylene rope may impose a risk to foul propellers / propulsion of vessels due to the buoyant nature of the rope. As the rope is submerged at a depth of ~-10m LAT the risk is considered minimum for vessels with a shallow draught (<5m) and medium for a vessel with a deeper draught (>5m). Over time sediments will be trapped between the fibres and the heavier rope may finally sink thereby reducing the risk to propellers/propulsion of vessels. The clump weight itself (chain) is expected to have sunk into the seabed and has no significant height above seabed. In addition, the edges of the clump weight are mostly rounded (chain), the risk the clump weigh imposes to fishing activities/gear is therefore considered to be minimal.
Navigation Warning - 16th March 2021
Mariners are advised that two UXO targets have been confirmed within the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Array.
Mariners are advised that the two confirmed targets are located within 20 metres water depth (LAT) and a 10 metre radius exclusion zone is required around each target. The following table provides the coordinates and a description for each target.
Description of Target | Latitude | Longitude |
Water Depth (LAT) Metres |
Required Exclusion Zone (Metres Radius) |
Archaeological - The item is thought to be an air-delivered bomb. It appears to be in a stable condition and is resting on the seabed. Marine growth and concretion cover the body, indicating it has been in situ for a significant duration. The tail section of the bomb is missing, which is typical of unexploded bombs from WWII found in these circumstances and there is a significant hole in the case. The dimensions and characteristics gathered are consistent with a 500kg German bomb. Considering the state of the bomb the Net Explosive Quantity of the bomb is likely to be <5kg. | 53°31'50.249"N | 00°47'45.908"E | 20 | 10 |
Archaeological - The item is thought to be an air-delivered bomb. It appears to be in a stable condition and is resting on the seabed. Marine growth and concretion cover the body, indicating it has been in situ for a significant duration. The tail section of the bomb is missing, which is typical of unexploded bombs from WWII found in these circumstances and there is a significant hole in the case. The dimensions and characteristics gathered are consistent with a 500kg German bomb. Considering the state of the bomb the Net Explosive Quantity of the bomb is likely to be <5kg. | 53°31'49.895"N | 00°47'45.115"E | 20 | 10 |
All Mariners are advised that the Multicat vessel “Ocean Energy” continues with diving operations at the Sofia Landfall HDD exit pits, as supported by the jack-up barge (JUB) “C59 Emotion” and the vessels “Celtic Guardian” and “Celtic Mara” . Finish dates remain dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress.
Works will comprise of non-invasive multibeam echosounder surveys (MBES), crew transfer and diving operations. During this phase, three surface marker buoys (SMBs) will be installed at the HDD location, connected to a landside pulling wire, which is installed through the completed HDD ducts and bellmouth. Each pulling wire will be recovered during the duration of the works. An additional special marker buoy will be in place to mark the HDD area.
The SMBs will remain in place until completion of the export cable landing activities, expected early September 2023 (export cable landing works will be supported by a separate NtM), with SMB locations and characteristics detailed in the relevant NtM.
The Ocean Energy, Celtic Guardian and Celtic Mara shall be travelling daily to the works site from Hartlepool Dock. The Landfall HDD Enabling works will be running 24hr operations as deemed required, and are expected to last until end of August 2023.
Trenching works remain ongoing within the exclusion zones until September 2023; the vessels Capall Mara and Celtic Guardian are underway with marine trench excavation ongoing. The main 2km trench shall be excavated July to August 2023. The main trench shall remain open and spoil heaps shall remain until after completion of cable landfalls therefore there may be a temporary reduction in navigable depth up to 2m due to excavated material being placed in spoil heaps.
The main 2km trench will be 1.5m deep by min. 1.5m wide trench along the cable route.
The excavation operations will be running 24hr operations as deemed required. The Celtic Guardian shall be travelling daily to the works site from Hartlepool Dock. The Capall Mara may remain on site for longer periods but will make passage to and from Hartlepool Dock as required based on operational weather constraints
Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from vessels and equipment. Fishing vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and remain outside of the exclusion area identified.
During these works the JUB C59 Emotion, Capall Mara and Ocean Energy will have restricted manoeuvrability during the works (Excavation & Diving).
***Within the working area there may be a temporary reduction in navigable depth up to 2m due to excavated material being placed in spoil heaps***
All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc and shall be exhibiting the correct day shapes/ lights and flag for vessels engaged in diving operations and restricted in ability to manoeuvre.
The following vessels are operationional on the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF) HDD works area.
Vessel Name | Vessel Type | Length | Beam | Draft | Gross Tonnage | Call Sign | MMSI Number |
Capall Mara | Special Service Dipper Dredger (Backhoe) | 39.60m | 14.00m | 2.5m | 498T | MBSF3 | 232010652 |
Celtic Guardian | Rib | 14m | 4.3m | 0.7m | 9.5T | 2IZH5 | 235114006 |
Ocean Energy | Multicat | 22.04m | 9.04m | 3.2m | 102T | MNKI5 | 232046909 |
Capall Mara | Special Service Dipper Dredger (Backhoe) | 39.60m | 14.00m | 2.5m | 498T | MBSF3 | 232010652 |
C59 Emotion | Jack Up Barge | 18.3m | 18.3m | 0.45m | 150T | MCTH5 | 232014401 |
Enterprise II | Guard / Scout Vessel | 26.00m | 9.2m | 4.7m | 421T | MPFN7 | 232006130 |
Artemis | Guard Vessel | 23.13m | 6.36m | 3.2m | 75.32T | 2SNV | 235006582 |
See detailed map on our bulletin website
A floating LiDAR buoy and a Waverider Buoy for Metocean data gathering have been installed approximately 4.6 NM east of Bell Rock (North Sea).
Details of buoys, lights and other navigational aids:
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Instructions to Vessels: Mariners are requested to keep a wide berth |
See detailed map on our bulletin website
The Offshore Supply Vessel, OLYMPIC ELECTRA, will perform boulder clearance operations within Dogger Bank B and C Array Areas and the Dogger Bank C Export Cable Route.
The works will be performed in a single campaign, commencing on the 01st September 2023 and continuing until approximately 11th November 2023. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Charts of the DBB Array / DBC Array and Export Cable Route areas including are provided below. The operations include the relocation and/or removal of subsea obstructions such as boulders and debris by means of a subsea grab mounted on a Utility ROV (UTROV). During operations, the OLYMPIC ELECTRA will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m separation distance from the Offshore Supply Vessel and pass at reduced speed
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe Trenching Support Vessel (TSV) with DP2, Symphony, will perform the first campaign of the Post-Lay Burial operations in Dogger Bank A OWF Inter Array Cable Area.
This campaign will commence on the 4st of August 2023 and continue until approximately 31st of August 2023. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Charts of the DBA array area are provided below.
The operations include the post lay burial operations for part of the array cable routes, by means of jetting and mechanical cutting in order to protect the inter-array cables.
During operations, the Symphony will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message.
It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 1.5Nm separation distance from the TSV and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe survey will commence on the 14 October 2022 and run through to 31 October 2023 using the vessel Isle of Jura, Green Isle and C-Force. The total duration for survey activity is expected to take 375 days, and additional days have been included in the duration to account for unforeseen operational and/or weather delays. Maintenance and service work at be performed on buoys between the 31/8/23 and the 10/9/23.
Contact details:
Two seabed instrumentation frames with associated ground line and clump weight will be deployed between the 7th September- 30th September 2023 using a small multicat vessel in a suitable weather / tidal window. The ballasted frame weighs around 370kg, measures approximately 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m and will be connected to a 100kg clump weight and remotely actuated pop-up buoy via a 100m wire ground line. Note: two frames will be deployed in different locations within the Nova Innovation lease area.
Both frames will be deployed in the Nova Innovation Lease area and will sit on the seabed in more than 30m of water, with no surface infrastructure such as buoys or markers. Vessels will be able to pass safely through the area and above the frames. Use of static or mobile benthic fishing gear in the immediate area should be avoided to avoid the risk of snagging.
The positions listed are the targeted deployment locations. Actual deployment positions will be updated post-deployment.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe purpose of the operation is to conduct work on a subsea tidal energy array in the Bluemull Sound, Shetland.
A multicat vessel the Leask Marine C-Odyssey, call sign 2ETW7, will conduct offshore and subsea operations between 1st October - 20th October 2023. Works will include loading, unloading and preparatory work at Cullivoe Harbour and Belmont Pier. Operations could take place during the day or at night. Operations will be conducted within the works area bounded by points A/B/C/D below (vessels should keep well clear e.g. 100m) and up to 50m either side of the cable corridor route. Equipment may be temporarily stored in the Wick of North Garth in 10-15m water depth, marked with a yellow buoy and single Fl Y 5s (one yellow flash every 5 seconds) light. See coordinates below.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteG-tech and Ondine, on behalf of Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), will be undertaking a Geophysical survey of the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm lease option area. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is to outline the working area for the survey vessel, as well as the scope of work. The survey will utilise the vessels R/V Mainport Geo and Ondine Jule. Additionally, the R/V Mainport Geo will also be supported by the scouting vessel M/V Solstice.
G-Tec and Ondine will be conducting a Geophysical survey over the Bowdun (E3) development area utilising towed sensors. During the survey the vessels will be operating at approximately 4 knots with equipment being towed at a distance of up to 300 m astern of the vessel.
Scouting vessel M/V Solstice will support S/V Mainport Geo and Ondine Jule.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteOperations of remotely piloted Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) are planned off the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire Coast. Four (4) USV’s will be mobilised from Lowestoft at any one time, where the USV’s will transit to the areas of operation. During the operations, the USV’s will be performing a Hydrographic Survey of the areas specified.
Support vessels will escort the USV from the harbour entrance and will then continue transiting towards the survey site until the area is safe & clear of hazards. Once the survey is complete, the USV will return to Port, again with a support vessel as an escort.
It is requested that other vessels remain clear, so far as is practicable, during transit & survey operations.
Although the vessel is uncrewed, it is managed throughout the 24-hour operation, piloted remotely using 360 degree cameras and other navigational aids.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe UK geotechnical/environmental survey will follow the proposed cable corridor for the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, routing along the North Cornwall coast outside of the 12nm boundary and crossing inside the 12nm to make landfall in North Devon. The geotechnical/environmental survey will be performed by the vessel Geo Ocean III.
Geotechnical survey with geotechnical equipment equipment (vibrocore and CPT) as well as environmental equipment (grab sampler and drop down camera).
For these activities, the vessel transits to a sample location and remains approximately stationary (<100m radius around target location) during the taking of the vibrocore/CPT/grab/camera samples, after which the vessel transits to the next sample location.
This equipment is deployed overboard (by deck crane or A-frame) onto or near to the seabed.
Outer expected survey window: between 13/08 and 30/09.
Foreseen survey period: between 01/09 and 30/09
- Vessel contact details
Mariners are advised about landfall works at Boygrift, Lincolnshire (English Landfall) being undertaken for the Viking Link project which is an HVDC electricity transmission interconnector between Denmark and England, a joint venture between National Grid and Energinet. The cable landfall works include cable survey and burial works with expected completion in UK waters by mid-September 2023.
The marine landfall works area is shown in Figure 1 below. The works, managed and carried out by Prysmian PowerLink, are planned from Week 32 to Week 37, using the following vessels: • TSM ‘Alize’. Vessel and contact details are given in Table 1 below. In the meantime, and up to the completion of the works, a dedicated guard vessel (selected between the vessels listed in Table 1) will be in position to guard the area at the landfall up to approx. 1km from the shore. The below coordinates are indicative of the guard vessel position whilst on site that is represented in Figure 1 by the yellow mark: Easting 322069E Northing 5908606N Lat 53° 17.80436666 N’ Long 0° 19.80395800’E
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe Offshore Supply Vessel, OLYMPIC ELECTRA, will perform boulder clearance operations within Dogger Bank B and C Array Areas and the Dogger Bank C Export Cable Route.
The works will be performed in a single campaign, commencing on the 01st September 2023 and continuing until approximately 11th November 2023. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Charts of the DBB Array / DBC Array and Export Cable Route areas including are provided below.
The operations include the relocation and/or removal of subsea obstructions such as boulders and debris by means of a subsea grab mounted on a Utility ROV (UTROV).
During operations, the OLYMPIC ELECTRA will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message.
It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m separation distance from the Offshore Supply Vessel and pass at reduced speed.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePartrac deployed the following array of metocean equipment at 3 sites within the Ossian OWF off the East coast of Scotland in August 2022: + Floating LiDAR buoy at sites 1 & 3 + Guard buoy at site 2 + Datawell Waverider buoy at sites 1,2 & 3 + Subsea mooring at sites 1,2 & 3. Partrac recovered the Waverider buoys, subsea moorings & guard buoy on 20/08/23. The LiDAR buoys will continue to be deployed at sites 1 & 3 until August 2024.
FLOATING LIDAR BUOY The floating LiDAR buoys deployed at sites 1 and 3 record meteorological data and are anchored to the seabed by means of a mooring chain and a ground weight. The buoy has dimensions of 4m x 4m, and when deployed the tallest mast on the buoy sits approx. 4m above the water line. The lantern has a flash sequence Fl (5) Y 20s. Please maintain a 500m exclusion around each buoy.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePierce Main Drill Site Manifold (MDS WI Manifold & A8z Tree) and Pierce SDS Manifold (SDS WI Manifold & Trees B3 & B4a). The pipelines and umbilical controls identified in this application will be removed from use as part of pre-decommissioning work for the overall Pierce field.
Water Injection flexible pipelines PL2027, PL2027JMWI-1, PL2027JMWI-2, PL2028, PL2028JMWI-1, PL2028JMWI-2 and PL3096 will be disconnected from their respective wells and Manifolds.
All the umbilical jumpers PLU2043, PLU6338 (A8z), PLU2042, PLU4370, PLU2041 and PL4022 will all be disconnected from their respective Trees, Manifold and Towhead. Stab plates from the hydraulic/chemical umbilical jumpers will be cut, removed and recovered to shore. No pipeline flushing preparation will be carried out prior to disconnection, as this was carried out in 2021 before removing the water injection riser at the Haewene Brim FPSO.
The water injection riser removal has also eliminated any potential pressure source within the water injection system from the FPSO.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking subsea inspections of several cables across the Orkney Islands. Given the different conditions and water depths anticipated at each site, a range of vessels will be utilised across the project. The inspection works will be centred on a 50m cable corridor, defined by the start and end coordinates listed in this notice.
Start dates for the survey operations and anticipated durations are listed against each individual location in the attached NtM.
LOCATION DETAILS
Equipment calibration operations may take place out with the defined corridor and these areas will be chosen so as not to interfere with fishing / marine traffic activity.
All vessels to be used during the survey and inspection campaign are owned and operated by Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd. Operations will be limited to daylight hours only.
The vessels conducting these inspections will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre and will display the appropriate lights and shapes. Other vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and provide a minimum clearance of 500m (COLREGs Rule 16 & 18) during marine operations.
All vessels will monitor VHF Channel 16 throughout survey operations.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Geophysical Survey off the coast of Sizewell. Vessel: Fugro Mercator. Geophysical survey utilising towed sensors. Estimated duration 30 days. Estimated start and end date subject to revision due to weather.
Mariners are advised that a nearshore marine geophysical survey is planned for the Eastern Green Link 3 and 4 (EGL3 /4) projects. The marine survey activities for EGL 3 / 4 are planned to commence mid- August 2023 and are expected to complete around the end of November 2023.
Eastern Green Link 3 is a HVDC electricity transmission interconnector between Scotland and England, a joint venture between National Grid and Scottish & Southern Electricity Transmission (SSEN).
Eastern Green Link 4 is a HVDC electricity transmission interconnector between Scotland and England, a joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power.
The EGL 3 / 4 projects will play a vital role in achieving the UK and Scottish governments net zero targets and significantly increase the UK’s capacity for clean, green renewable power.
The area of work, pertaining to this Notice to Mariners (NtM) for EGL 3 / 4, is illustrated in Figure 1 and Table 6, with the survey vessel contact details for the project found in Table 1 and Table 2. Contact details for the project Fisheries Liaison Officers are detailed below.
The non-intrusive geophysical survey works are being carried out by Next Geosolutions.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Mariners are advised that SSE Renewables will be returning to Berwick Bank Wind Farm area to undertake further Geotechnical survey work. The survey will be within the proposed Berwick Bank Wind Farm site boundary. The survey work is being undertaken by GEO and will be conducted from the vessel Connector. The geotechnical survey is due to start on 30 August 2023 for a period of 3 months. The scouting/guard vessel will be the GV Courage SH170.
To account for all eventualities, we would like to extend the duration to 31 December 2023. Survey Tasks The scope of work within the main array area will comprise deep CPT downhole pushes into sand and clay, vibrocores and thermal resistivity testing.
During the campaign, the survey vessel will be deploying underwater equipment to obtain samples and assess the geology in the area. As a consequence of equipment being deployed and the modes of operation, all mariners are advised to keep a safe clearance distance of no less than 500 m from the vessel(s). No towed equipment will be used.
Please note that SSE Renewables are not expecting fishermen to relocate gear - on this occasion the vessel(s) will work around any gear on location. A scouting/guard vessel will operate ahead of the survey vessel to ensure that this can be achieved.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePassive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) devices have been deployed on the seabed by St Andrews University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to gather acoustic data in the Morlais tidal energy demonstration zone. The PAMS consist of a small recording device, 75kg of anchor chain and an acoustic release mechanism. PAMs will sit on the seabed at depths of at least 30m, with no surface infrastructure such as buoys or markers.
Mariners are advised that a nearshore marine geophysical survey is planned in the nearshore waters of Kinghorn and Largo Bay. The marine survey activities are planned to commence on the 22nd August 2023 (subject to consents) and are expected to complete early October 2023. The marine survey works are being carried out by GEOxyz using the Survey vessel: Geosurveyor X (MMSI: 253113000; Call Sign: LXGZ).
Vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and fishing vessels are advised to remain a safe distance, approximately 550m (0.3 nautical miles) from the areas identified. During these works the vessel will have restricted manoeuvrability as it completes its work scope. VHF CH 16 will be monitored at all times and will be used to contact the coastguard in the event of an emergency.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (Moray East) are planning to undertake geophysical surveys around Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The geophysical survey is covering an area of approximately 270m x 270m centred on the WTG. The survey vessel to be used is the Waterfall, detailed below. Activities are expected to take place between 21/08/2023 and 30/10/2023.
Please be advised that Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (Moray East) are planning to undertake geophysical surveys around Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The geophysical survey is covering an area of approximately 270m x 270m centred on the WTG (See example in Figure 2). The survey vessel to be used is the Waterfall, detailed below. Activities are expected to take place between 21/08/2023 and 30/10/2023.
Please be aware that, during the survey activities, by virtue of its mode of operation the vessel (Waterfall) will be Restricted in her Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM) as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, Rule 3). Masters of vessels are therefore requested to maintain their vessels and gears at a minimum safe passing distance from the vessel of 500 metres when it is undertaking work and showing the appropriate shapes and lights in accordance with COLREGs Rule 27.
In order to not compromise the safety of the Survey Vessel, their crew, and their ability to undertake its contracted works, fishermen who have static fishing gears deployed within 500 m from the WTG where survey activities are planned (see Table 1 and Figure 1) are requested to provide the coordinates of such deployed gears in DMS and details of whether the surface markers used are visible at all states of visibility to Alex Winrow-Griffin (Brown & May Marine) using the contact information below (Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995).
Fishermen who have static gears deployed beyond 12 nm are reminded that static gear must be marked in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marking-of-fishing-gear-retrieval-and-notification-of-lost- gear#marking-of-fishing-gear)
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteOperations of remotely piloted Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) are planned off the Lancashire Coast. One (1) USV will be mobilised from Fleetwood at any one time, where the USV will transit to the areas of operation. During the operations, the USV will be performing a Hydrographic Survey of the areas specified in the figure below, within the 12nm limit. Support vessels will escort the USV.
Support vessels will escort the USV from the harbour entrance and will then continue transiting towards the survey site until the area is safe & clear of hazards. Once the survey is complete, the USV will return to Port, again with a support vessel as an escort.
It is requested that other vessels remain clear, so far as is practicable, during transit & survey operations. Although the vessel is uncrewed, it is managed throughout the 24-hour operation, piloted remotely using 360 degree cameras and other navigational aids.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteScottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc, will be undertaking diving operations at Weisdale Voe to carry out burial of Shetland HVDC Link from landfall until approx. 225m offshore.
The Shetland HVDC link is a critical electricity transmission link and will form part of the electrical transmission grid that is essential to the transport of renewable energy between the locations where it is generated and areas of demand, and the delivery of both Scotland’s and the United Kingdom’s 2030 climate change targets.
Two pipe ducts have been installed and buried onshore to approximately 25m offshore. The installed cable offshore, to approximately 160m, is protected by a cable protection system (CPS). Diving works will be carried out to assist with burial of the CPS. Diving operations will be completed from the vessel, Hound Dog. The Hound Dog is a multicat vessel with Spud Legs.
The crew will be transferred from shore to the vessel daily by the Pioneer crew transfer vessel. The diving works will be carried out 12 hours a day (normal working hours 7:00am to 7:00pm). Diving operations will be undertaken from the end of the duct out to no further than 225m offshore. The cable will be buried using a hydrainer system guided by divers, excavated seabed material will be side casted in deeper water within the marine licence corridor and used as backfill once the cable has been buried. A multi-beam echo survey will be undertaken on completion of the works.
All vessels are required to comply with the COLREGS, especially rules 16 and 18
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePartrac have deployed two Floating LiDAR FLS200 buoys within the Blyth Met Mast consent area under Marine Licence L/2020/00313/1. Please maintain a 500m exclusion around each buoy. Deployment was carried out between 12th – 14th August 2023. Recovery is expected mid-September – early October 2023, weather permitting.
The Fugro Scout and Fugro Quest will be acquiring deep geotechnical boreholes within the Morven Wind Project Array area from the 19th of August. The survey is estimated to continue until the 5th October.
Fugro Scout will be in field for the whole duration, the Fugro Quest is estimated to be on site between the 1st to 21st September. The operation will include deep geotechnical boreholes, some with below ground logging.
Marine users are requested to maintain the safe clearance distances as outlined in the attached document
There will not be an Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer (OFLO) on this vessel.
At sea, operational issues should be directed towards the Master of the vessel the first instance.
More general queries about the survey and/or proposed Project can be directed towards the Fishing Industry Representative (FIR) and the Company Fisheries Liaison Officer (CFLO) –details in attached.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMarine Scotland Science intend to undertake Offshore Wind Farm environmental surveys around the Seagreen Offshore Windfarm site, and wider Firth of Forth and Tay areas as part of the PELAGIO programme of works. PELAGIO is a three-year project, led by the University of Aberdeen and co-funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and The Crown Estate (TCE).
As part of the survey activity a seabed frame will be re-deployed in the coordinates shown below in table 1 and fig 1. The frame shall be re-deployed by the vessel Waterfall. The frame/mooring shall have no surface marking with recovery by acoustic release system. The equipment is expected to remain on the seabed until mid-November 23.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that a subsea survey carried out in 2022 identified 8 cable routes with cable exposures. The below table provides the locations of the identified exposures.
Please be advised that a subsea survey carried out in 2022 identified 8 cable routes with cable exposures. The below table provides the locations of the identified exposures.
Mariners are reminded that further safety information related to array cable exposures can be found in “The Risks of Fishing Near Cables and Renewable Energy Structures”, published on the KIS-ORCA website https://kis-orca.org/safety/the-risks-of-fishing-near-cables-renewable-energy-structures/. General safety information can be found here: https://www.seafish.org/article/kingfisher-bulletins.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThis Notice to Mariners is to inform that the Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm will be undertaking a geotechnical survey campaign within the site boundary. The activity is expected to commence no earlier than the 12th of August 2023 and be completed by the 30th of November 2023. Operations will be undertaken by the Horizon Geobay. Mariners are advised to please maintain a 500m clearance from the vessel.
The activity will consist of sampling boreholes, P-S logging at borehole locations, and CPTs.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteDuring the current ongoing campaign to lay and bury the Dogger Bank B export cable, it has been necessary to install rock berm protection over the cable in locations where it has not been possible to trench bury the cable.
In the section of cable shown in the attached notice, the rock berm installation has been installed to a maximum height of approximately 1m above seabed level. In these locations, this represents a reduction in depth at Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) of approximately 5-8%.
Once the detailed as-built data has been reviewed and confirmation of water depth reductions at the location in Figure 1, an updated Notice to Mariners will be distributed to confirm the changes in water depth.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteA geophysical and environmental site investigation survey is due to commence within the MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm (‘the Project’) Option Agreement Area (OAA). The site investigation survey will be undertaken by Fugro from the Port of Liverpool with an earliest commencement date of the 18th August 2023 and an expected completion date of the 13th October 2023, weather dependant. The Fugro Galaxy (Call Sign: C6YY4) will be used to undertake the site investigation survey.
The site investigation works will comprise of benthic, contaminant, eDNA, geophysical and geoarchaeological surveys within the Project’s OAA, with line turns occurring outside the OAA boundary (please see map provided in this notice to mariners which displays this 1.5km buffer). The Fugro Galaxy will use a range of acoustic and sonar sensors to investigate the seafloor and sub-surface, these will either be attached to the hull of the survey vessel or towed by the survey vessel for the duration of the survey activities.
The Project will also be undertaking grab samples at selected locations across the Project’s OAA to gather benthic, containment and eDNA data. A drop-down video will be deployed temporarily, before grab samples are undertaken.
Mariners are requested to maintain a distance of 500 metres from the site investigation vessel
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteA new marine hazard has been identified during UXO identification and investigation operations in the Dogger Bank C export cable corridor.
The marine hazard is located on the seabed in the near vicinity of the intended route of the DBC export cable and is a group of metallic objects associated with military (probably WW2) activity in nature.
A 50 metre Archaeological Exclusion Zone (AEZ) has been implemented under the terms of the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced and agreed with Historic England as per Licence condition in accordance with 16(g) of dML 1 and Condition 13(g) of dML 3.
Fishing vessels and other vessels engaged in the deploying of sub-surface and bottom interacting gear should avoid the area.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteRock placement works are currently ongoing for the DBB export cable corridor (please see NtM LF600013-ESI-DOG-NOT-0006). Rock placement is required at KP1.557 to KP1.606 (approx. 49m in length), this will reduce the water depth at that location by up to 20%. A temporary marker buoy will remain in position to the north of the rock berm to mark the area until navigational charting has been updated to reflect the as-built rock berm.
The marker buoy vessel, Bright Blue, will transit to the work site and deploy the temporary marker buoy at the location set out in Table 1. The total duration of this activity will be one working day. Figure 2 below shows the type of marker buoy that will be installed.
It is requested that all vessels give Bright Blue a wide berth and pass at reduced speed when the vessel is engaged in deployment activities.
All vessels will monitor VHF CH16 and VHF DSC Ch70 continuously throughout.
The marker buoy vessel, Bright Blue, will transit to the work site and deploy the temporary marker buoy at the location set out in Table 1. The total duration of this activity will be one working day. Figure 2 below shows the type of marker buoy that will be installed.
It is requested that all vessels give Bright Blue a wide berth and pass at reduced speed when the vessel is engaged in deployment activities.
All vessels will monitor VHF CH16 and VHF DSC Ch70 continuously throughout.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that the temporary navigation light (FI Y 2.5S light) on wind turbine jacket WTG-04 (A09) located within the boundaries of the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm is currently not operational.
The repair works, as part of a campaign of remedial works, will be carried out from the 7th of April, at the earliest using the Windcat 20 vessel (call sign: 2CQX8) and is expected to last for 2 weeks, weather dependant.
The Windcat 16 vessel (call sign: 2BOO8) will be assisting with these repair works and will be in the field from the 12th July 2023 at the earliest. The Windcat 16 will also be assisting the Blue Tern vessel (call sign: ) as part of the WTG installation campaign (see NtM 191).
More information about the vessel can be found in Table 2 and 3.
Area of Operations
The position of the jacket substructure affected are indicated by the coordinates in Table 1 and shown in Figure 1.
All vessels are requested to remain at least 500 meters away from all the work vessels. Vessels over 15m are also requested to have AIS turned on and detectable when in the vicinity of construction works.
Schedule
Ten three- legged jacket substructures were installed onto pre-installed piles in the NnG Wind Farm Area in November 2022. Repair works will be carried out from the 7th of April, at the earliest using the Windcat 20 vessel (call sign: 2CQX8) and is expected to last for several months on a 24-hours basis, weather dependant.
The Windcat 16 will be assisting the Windcat 20 with remedial and repair works from the 12th July 2023 at the earliest.
For updates on the progress of the works, information will be provided in the Weekly Notice of Operations available on the NnG project website: https://nngoffshorewind.com/downloads/.
Vessel Associated with the Activity
Vessel Name | Vessel Role | Call Sign | Maritime Mobile Service Identity | On board Contact |
Windcat 20 | Remedial Works Vessel | 2CQX8 |
Vessel Master brussel@windcatworkboats.com +44 (0) 7788 154 770 |
|
Windcat 16 | Remedial Works Vessel | 2B008 |
Vessel Master brussel@windcatworkboats.com +44 (0) 7788 154 770 |
|
Seagull | Guard Vessel | MVBO2 |
Vessel Master seagullbf74@gmail.com +44 (0)1261 8788040 +44(0) 7895 919100 |
|
Tranquility S | Guard Vessel | MJUH9 |
David Spouse spousefishing@gmail.com 01890 530 168 |
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Please be advised of this notice advising mariners of the site investigation survey of the Norfolk Boreas, Vanguard East and Vanguard West windfarms and export cable. The Noordhoek Pathfinder, Braveheart Spirit and Geofocus will be completing survey operations in UK waters. The surveys started in March 2023 and are scheduled to last until the end of December (subject to weather and additional scopes).
The installation of the Havhingsten fibre optic telecommunication Whitley Bay Stub Route has been completed. Due to challenging soil conditions and rocky seabed, there are sections of surface laid cable and areas with shallow burial. No further operations to bury this section of cable are planned due to the presence of rock. The cable is protected by the armoured cable type and from the BMH up to kilometre point (KP) 0.474 the cable is additionally protected by Articulated Pipe.
Please be advised that installation of the Havhingsten fibre optic telecommunication Whitley Bay Stub Route has been completed.
The supplier of the Havhingsten cable is Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). Intertek are the environmental and permitting consultants.
The Whitley Bay Stub Route has been installed between the Beach Man Hole (BMH) and the territorial sea limit but it will not yet be connected to the telecommunication network. This cable is to provide infrastructure for the network to expand relatively easily when demand is required within the next 10 - 15 years.
Due to challenging soil conditions and rocky seabed, there are sections of surface laid cable and areas with shallow burial (less than 0.20m burial depth), coordinates can be found below. No further operations to bury these sections of cable are planned due to the challenging soil conditions. The cable is protected by the armoured cable type and from the BMH up to kilometre point (KP) 0.474 the cable is additionally protected by Articulated Pipe.
Coordinates for the surface laid cable and shallow burial areas are provided in the attached Notice to Mariners.
Post-Lay Inspection & Burial (PLIB) by jetting for the section of surface laid cable close to the territorial sea limit was completed on the 1 November 2022.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteA deep-sea geotechnical survey is due to be undertaken for the proposed Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm project starting on the 10th July. The surveys will be undertaken from the survey vessel, Horizon Geodiscovery.
The survey vessel will collect data from different locations inside the project area within which the proposed array will be located. The extent of the areas in which the survey vessel may be located during the survey is shown in Figure 1 with accompanying coordinates.
A clearance zone of a minimum of 500m around each location is being requested.
The survey vessel will undertake survey activities for approximately 83 days, depending on weather conditions. Each sampling location will be surveyed for 2-3 days per location. Dates may be subject to change.
The survey vessel will operate on a 24hr basis and display appropriate day shapes (mast head signals visually indicating the status of a vessel to other vessels on navigable waters during daylight hours) and lights at all times during operations.
An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard to scout the next planned location before work begins. In order to minimise disruption to fishers, any fishing gear will be worked around, meaning clearance of the site is not requested.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteA recent survey has detected a section of cable with intermittent exposures and possible free spans in the UK sector of the BritNed Interconnector. Start point: Lat:51°41.543'N, Long: 001°56.407'E. End point: Lat: 51°41.777'N, Long: 001°57.030'E. Fishing vessels are advised to keep clear of this location. A guard vessel is stationed at this location.
A recent survey has detected an area where the cable is intermittently exposed with some free spans in evidence. These exposures run between the following coordinates:
Start point: Lat:51°41.543'N, Long: 001°56.407'E. End point: Lat: 51°41.777'N, Long: 001°57.030'E.
A remedial plan is being formulated, in the meantime a guard vessel is stationed at the location.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe nearshore works to prepare for installation of the Dogger Bank C export cable have now been completed. The temporary marker buoy will remain in position in the vicinity of the Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) North and South exit points as shown in the graphic inlcuded with this notice with a chart of the general area where the temporary marker buoy is located. The characteristics of the temporary marker buoy are included in this notice.
The Jack-up WTG Installation Vessel, Voltaire, will install wind turbine generators (WTG) within the Dogger Bank A construction area.
The works will commence on the 05th of July 2023, continuing until approximately Q2 2024. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. A chart of the DBA construction area boundary coordinates and a table of WTG location coordinates is provided below. A running list of the completed WTG installations and the next locations to be installed is presented in the Weekly Notice of Operations.
During operations, the Voltaire will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message.
During operations, a Statutory Safety zone of 500m radius will be in place around the Voltaire during the installation of WTGs. The safety zone will be monitored by a guard vessel. The primary response will be to warn passing traffic of the ongoing works and any active safety zones, and to alert any vessels where an infringement may occur or has occurred.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteA survey of the route for the installation of the NeuConnect Interconnector (nominally 705 km) will take place in the UK territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). NeuConnect is a new high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity transmission interconnector between the Isle of Grain, Kent, mainland UK, and Wilhelmshaven, Germany, routed through UK territorial waters (TW). GEM will perform the survey on behalf of the principal cable installation contractor, Prysmian Powerlink.
Offshore Geophysical & UXO survey will be performed by GEM in Scotia vessel using towed equipment
Area: The project area is located offshore and embraces UK TW and EEZ. The water depths range from -15 m to -64 m (LAT). Figure 1 shows the project area planned for the offshore survey works.
Planned time schedule:
The Survey is estimated to take place between 25th May to 13th July 2023 (provisional dates). The survey works are planned to be performed in two (2x) shifts of 12 hours for a total of 24 hours per day during 7 days per week.
The geophysical and UXO survey will follow this order:
Transit to Block 4
Survey in Block 4 and Block 5 as follow;
Task Name | Duration | Start | Finish |
Transit to Block 4 | 1 day | Fri 23/06/23 | Fri 23/06/23 |
Block 4 PHASE 1 (KP 145+000-KP 198-869) | 3 days | Sat 24/06/23 | Mon 26/06/23 |
Block 5 PHASE 1 (KP 198+869-KP 263-648) | 3 days | Tue 27/06/23 | Thu 29/06/23 |
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or the Party Chief (cc'd) on board the Scotia.
The information was updated in the Kingfisher Bulletin.
https://kingfisherbulletin.org/notice-map?noticeId=3173
R
* planned schedule for the geophysical and UXO survey in the UK waters. Note that this is a provisional schedule; the program will be updated every week, and every once a survey block finishes.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Results of the Greater Gabbard OFTO export cable survey. The chart lists the changes to the exposures on the three export cables, on the inshore section between KP 3 and KP 5 with a free span remaining around KP 4. Between KP 36 and KP 38 there are some exposed sections as the cables enter the site. In addition, although listed as exposures on the chart, there are areas of shallow burial at KP10 and a cable exposure on the interconnector cable within the site.
Please find attached a chart showing the results of the Greater Gabbard OFTO export cable survey. The chart lists the changes to the exposures on the three export cables, on the inshore section between KP 3 and KP 5 with a free span remaining around KP 4. Between KP 36 and KP 38 there are some exposed sections as the cables enter the site. In addition, although listed as exposures on the chart, there are areas of shallow burial at KP10 and a cable exposure on the interconnector cable within the site.
The exposed/shallow burial areas are shown as the coloured dots on the cable route highlighted in a black box. Equitix (Greater Gabbard OFTO) have asked that all Fishermen operate with caution when fishing anywhere on the cable route and particularly the areas that are shallow buried around KP10.’
Coordinates of exposed/shallow burial areas are shown on the attached chart.
The OFTO is updating its risk assessments to determine the extent of remedial measures that may be required. Equitix intend to provide an update on remediation after the risk assessment exercise is complete.’
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteScottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc has become aware of two areas of potential cable exposure on the Caithness Moray HVDC link, and request that a 500m safety zone is observed
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc has become aware of two areas of potential cable exposure on the Caithness Moray HVDC link, and request that a 500m safety zone is observed centred on the co-ordinates below.
KP |
Longitude (WGS 84) |
Latitude (WGS 84) |
99.240 |
-2.8633908494 |
58.4590588736 |
105.282 |
-2.9656976221 |
58.4615448756 |
Mariners are requested not to anchor or tow equipment inside the 500m safety zone surrounding the potentially exposed cable, as this would pose a risk of both snagging and / or damage to vessels, gear and the Caithness Moray HVDC link.
This email serves as notification under condition 35 of licence 04368/18/2
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Seiche limited has deployed 12 Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Stations on the seabed in the East Anglia Offshore Windfarm Area on the 16th of May 2023. The PAM stations will remain on the seabed till the 31st of October 2027. The PAM stations have 12 m height above the seabed, and their location will not be marked by a surface buoy. All marine traffic is advised to maintain 500 m exclusion zone around these PAM locations for their safety.
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Marine Mammal Monitoring - Passive Acoustic Monitoring Baseline Deployment
• Seiche Limited
• Passive Acoustic Monitoring at the East Anglia Three Offshore Windfarm
• NTM: PAM-EA3- 003 Date of issue: 03 May 2023
Dear Owners, Ships Agents, Masters, Pilots and Fishermen,
Please, be advised that Seiche Limited will deploy 8 Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Stations on the seabed in and at locations around the East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Area, starting from the 13th of May 2023. The deployment phase is expected to be completed on the 20th of May 2023.
Seiche will utilise the Reykjanes vessel for the deployment.
Reykjanes
Scope: PAM stations deployment
Vessel: Reykjanes
LOA: 40.16 m
Call sign: OVSI2
IMO: 7392311
MMSI: 219329000
Phone: +45 (0) 8213 6973
Mobile: +45 (0) 2614 9844
Once deployed, the PAM stations will remain on the seabed until approximately the 31st of October 2027. The PAM stations have 12 m height above the seabed, and their location will not be marked by a surface buoy.
All marine traffic is advised to maintain 500 m safety zone around the Reykjanes or any other vessel at these locations during deployment or servicing for their safety.
Locations of the PAM stations in WGS-84 coordinates:
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Marine Mammal Monitoring - Passive Acoustic Monitoring Baseline Deployment
• Seiche Limited • Passive Acoustic Monitoring at the East Anglia Three Offshore Windfarm • NTM: PAM-EA3- 004 Date of issue: 08 June 2023
Dear Owners, Ships Agents, Masters, Pilots and Fishermen,
Please, be advised that Seiche Limited has deployed 12 Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Stations on the seabed in and at locations around the East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Area, as of the 16th of May 2023.
The PAM stations will remain on the seabed until approximately the 31st of October 2027. The PAM stations have 12 m height above the seabed, and their location is not marked by a surface buoy. All marine traffic is advised to maintain 250 m safety zone around the PAM Stations for their safety. Unfortunately, a fishing vessel has passed over location EA3_12, and caught the PAM Equipment in their net on the 6th of June. This station will be deployed again on the 12th of July. Locations of the PAM stations in WGS-84 coordinates:
This notification supersedes all previous notifications issued in relation to this activity. |
Location Number |
Latitude |
Longitude |
For general enquiries, please, contact via e-mail: environmental@seiche.com https://www.seiche.com/ Tel: +44 (0) 1409 404050
Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO): Name: Jonathan Keer // Freya Sandison Email: jonathan@brownmay.com // freya@brownmay.com Telephone: +44 (0) 7850 604851 // +44 (0) 7857 500609 |
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|
EA3_01 |
52° |
39.752' |
N |
002° |
50.896' |
E |
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18 Apr 23 |
EA3_02 |
52° |
43.925' |
N |
002° |
56.873' |
E |
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18 Apr 23 |
EA3_03 |
52° |
43.319' |
N |
002° |
48.340' |
E |
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18 Apr 23 |
EA3_04 |
52° |
39.487' |
N |
002° |
43.939' |
E |
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|
EA3_05 |
52° |
33.840' |
N |
002° |
43.950' |
E |
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|
EA3_06 |
52° |
29.220' |
N |
002° |
33.560' |
E |
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|
EA3_07 |
52° |
23.942' |
N |
002° |
27.679' |
E |
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|
EA3_08 |
52° |
19.727' |
N |
002° |
21.599' |
E |
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18 Apr 23 |
EA3_09 |
52° |
37.073' |
N |
002° |
50.343' |
E |
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|
EA3_10 |
52° |
31.731' |
N |
002° |
49.633' |
E |
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|
EA3_11 |
52° |
24.453' |
N |
002° |
45.476' |
E |
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|
EA3_12 |
52° |
17.568' |
N |
002° |
52.296' |
E |
This notification supersedes all previous notifications issued in relation to this activity.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteDeployment of two (2) Floating Seawatch Wind LiDAR buoys in the Moray Firth for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a period of 24 months.
On the 3rd of June 2023, Fugro deployed two (2) Floating Seawatch LiDAR buoys within the Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm site for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data. The two buoys are intended to remain in-situ for a minimum period of 24 months.
Mariners are advised to maintain a 500 m clearance from the deployed equipment. Operations were completed by the Fishing vessel ‘MS Elisabeth’.
The buoys will remain in situ until June 2025, the exact removal date will depend on weather and be determined at a later stage. A separate NtM will be issued for the removal activity.
Details on the Seawatch Wind LiDAR (3.0) Buoys including navigational safety features and mooring layout design are provided in the attached NtM (V3).
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Notification of deployment of scientific research buoy in the Morlais Demonstration Zone.
The offshore geotechnical survey of the proposed Morgan (North) and Mona (South) Offshore Wind Farm Project array areas is expected to commence on the 17 June 2023. The investigation involves the drilling, sampling and coring of approximately 50 (TBC) boreholes throughout the two proposed areas. Estimated Duration: 4 1/2 months
The offshore geotechnical survey of the proposed Morgan (North) and Mona (South) Offshore Wind Farm Project array areas is expected to commence on the 17 June 2023. The investigation involves the drilling, sampling and coring of approximately 50 (TBC) boreholes throughout the two proposed areas. The vessel will be stationary at each borehole location for up to 3 days to allow the samples and cores to be taken from the seabed. 24 hour and 7 day lookaheads positions of the Fugro Synergy will be provided.
All vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance (0.5 nm) from the survey vessel Fugro Synergy at all times. The vessel Fugro Synergy has AIS installed.
Vessel details |
|
Vessel Name: |
Fugro Synergy |
Vessel Type / LOA(m): |
Geotechnical Vessel / 103.7 m |
Vessel Function: |
Geotechnical Drilling Vessel |
VHF Call Sign: |
C6XR3 |
MMSI: |
311019800 |
Vessel Operator Contact details: |
+47 2240 8044 |
Metocean instrumentation and a floating LiDAR system (FLS) have been deployed within the boundary of the proposed Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm Project site. All instrumentation was deployed by Green Rebel from the Port of Aberdeen to the site in February 2023 via the vessel BB Ocean (IMO 9196503, MMSI 258825000). MARINE USERS are requested to maintain a safe clearance distance of 500m from all assets. May 2023: Northern Guard Buoy no longer present, replacement process is ongoing.
All instrumentation is deployed at a single deployment location within the project site. The purpose of the instrumentation is to gather Metocean and wind data to inform the proposed Muir Mhor Offshore Wind Farm Project.
The FLS mooring comprises of a surface visible buoy moored to the seabed via a two-point mooring system constructed using a combination of rope and chain. Two guard buoys are located at approximately 30m from the main FLS buoy in a North/South orientation, with the mooring spread covering an approximate 315m radius. There is also a seabed frame for current measurements contained within the overall deployment footprint, approximately 30m East of the main FLS buoy. Note: there are 2x orange polyform marker buoys located above the northern anchor position (detailed below) which will be removed during the first planned maintenance visit.
The FLS light characteristics are Fl (5) Y 20s with 5nm range. The guard buoys’ light characteristics are FI Y 5s with 3nm range and include a yellow St. Andrew’s Cross topmark. The FLS is designated as “Muir Mhor Floating Lidar” on AIS, with MMSI number 992351400.
Details of the surface visible buoy, guard buoys, seabed frame and mooring arrangement are provided in the attachments.
MARINE USERS are requested to maintain a safe clearance distance of 500m from all assets.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe installation of the Havhingsten fibre optic telecommunication Whitley Bay Stub Route has been completed. Due to challenging soil conditions and rocky seabed, there are sections of surface laid cable and areas with shallow burial. No further operations to bury this section of cable are planned due to the presence of rock. The cable is protected by the armoured cable type and from the BMH up to kilometre point (KP) 0.474 the cable is additionally protected by Articulated Pipe.
Please be advised that installation of the Havhingsten fibre optic telecommunication Whitley Bay Stub Route has been completed.
The supplier of the Havhingsten cable is Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). Intertek are the environmental and permitting consultants.
The Whitley Bay Stub Route has been installed between the Beach Man Hole (BMH) and the territorial sea limit but it will not yet be connected to the telecommunication network. This cable is to provide infrastructure for the network to expand relatively easily when demand is required within the next 10 - 15 years.
Due to challenging soil conditions and rocky seabed, there are sections of surface laid cable and areas with shallow burial (less than 0.20m burial depth), coordinates can be found below. No further operations to bury these sections of cable are planned due to the challenging soil conditions. The cable is protected by the armoured cable type and from the BMH up to kilometre point (KP) 0.474 the cable is additionally protected by Articulated Pipe.
Coordinates for the surface laid cable and shallow burial areas are provided in the attached Notice to Mariners.
Post-Lay Inspection & Burial (PLIB) by jetting for the section of surface laid cable close to the territorial sea limit was completed on the 1 November 2022.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe Trinity House Buoy Installation Vessel, Galatea, has installed the Dogger Bank A boundary Demarcation Buoys in the Southern North Sea.
The 17 construction boundary demarcation buoys will remain in location until the windfarm construction activities have been completed and handed over to the Operations and Maintenance teams.
Once the permanent Aids to Navigation (AtoN) have been installed on the WTGs, Trinity House will approve the permanent AtoN and the boundary buoys will be removed.
If anyone finds a buoy that is off station or encounters a buoy location where it is not functioning or is missing, they should report this to the Dogger Bank Duty Marine Coordinator as soon as possible.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that SSE Renewables will be returning to Berwick Bank Wind Farm area to undertake further Geotechnical survey work. The survey will be within the proposed Berwick Bank Wind Farm site boundary.
SSE Renewables are not expecting fishermen to relocate gear - on this occasion the vessel(s) will work around any gear on location. A scouting/guard vessel will operate ahead of the survey vessel to ensure that this can be achieved.
The survey work is being undertaken by Fugro and will be conducted from the vessel Fugro Scout. The geotechnical survey is due to start 01 June 2023. The scouting/guard vessel will be the Artemis.
The scope of work within the main array area will comprise up to 35 composite rotary boreholes advanced as a combination of sampling in sand and clay and CPT downhole pushes through suitable soils and then extended by rotary core drilling to depths up to 40 m below seabed.
During the campaign, the survey vessel will be deploying underwater equipment to obtain cores and assess the geology in the area. As a consequence of equipment being deployed and the modes of operation, all mariners are advised to keep a safe clearance distance of no less than 500 m from the vessel(s). No towed equipment will be used.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteOWPL have successfully redeployed the FLS2 device on the 9 May 2023 at its previous location (coordinates are detailed in this update).
OWPL have redeployed the FLS2 at its previous location. (DDM = 58° 48.7157' N, 4° 20.64135' W, DMS = 58° 48' 42.94" N, 4° 20' 38.48" W). Both the FLS2 and the wave buoy are part of continued metocean survey works which are continuing through to October 2023.
Onshore FLO: phone: +44 (0) 7926 418 820, email: OWPLFisheries@xodusgroup.com;
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteEolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 12 months.
Eolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 12 months.
The units deployed are:
Metocean buoy
Illustrative figures showing the buoy dimensions and general arrangement are provided in the attached NtM.
Once in the water the top of the tallest mast is around 4 meters above the sea level.
The buoy is fitted with the following navigational safety features:
Mooring design
The buoy drifting radius is approximately 240 m from its deployment position. All material will be removed from the seabed after the measurement campaign is complete. The mooring layout design is provided on the final page of this document. The mooring layout design is provided as the final page of the attached NtM.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
Eolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 12 months.
Eolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 12 months.
The units deployed are:
Deployment coordinates and chart are provided in the attached NtM.
Metocean buoy
Illustrative figures showing the buoy dimensions and general arrangement are provided in the attached NtM.
Once in the water the top of the tallest mast is around 4 meters above the sea level.
The buoy is fitted with the following navigational safety features:
Mooring design
The buoy drifting radius is approximately 165 m from its deployment position. All material will be removed from the seabed after the measurement campaign is complete. The mooring layout design is provided on the final page of this document. The mooring layout design is provided as the final page of the attached NtM.
See detailed map on our bulletin website
A floating LiDAR buoy, surface metocean equipment buoys and seabed landers have been deployed at two sites to assist with the development of MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm. The floating LiDAR buoy and metocean equipment was deployed between 28th April – 29th April 2023 by Fugro from the Port of Burntisland. The Forth Warrior vessel deployed the floating LiDAR and Metocean survey equipment. Mariners are requested to keep a distance of 500 metres from the Site 1 and Site 2 deployment locations.
The floating LiDAR buoy, surface metocean equipment buoys and seabed landers have been deployed at two separate locations. The equipment deployed will gather wind and metocean data which will be used to inform the development of the Project.
The Floating LiDAR buoy , Metocean Midi Buoy and Metocean Wavescan Buoy are all surface buoys, tethered to the sea bed with single mooring lines. The Seabed Lander is a frame anchored on the seabed, approximately 1.7 m diameter and 0.6 m high.
The Floating LiDAR buoy, Metocean Midi Buoy and Metocean Wavescan Buoy have light marking characteristics comprising FI (5) Y 20s with a nominal range of 5 nautical miles.
Surface equipment at Site 1 are transmitting their locations via AIS. Site 2 metocean Wavescan buoy is not currently transmitting its position via AIS.
Equipment details and mooring designs of the floating LiDAR buoy, metocean buoys and seabed lander are provided in this notice to mariners.
See detailed map on our bulletin websitePlease be advised that Next Geosolutions will be performing a Detailed Marine, Geotechnical and UXO Survey and survey on behalf of Nexans for CIDAC as part of the Celtic Interconnector Project. The survey will follow the planned route of the Celtic Interconnector Project offshore cable route between the south east coast of Ireland and the coast of France. This Notice to Mariners captures survey activities which will be undertaken in British EEZ waters.
AREA OF OPERATIONS
The survey operations will be conducted within the cable corridor extending +/-50m each side of planned cable centreline. The cable route waypoints are provided in Table 1, at the end of this document, using WGS84 datum. The section of the route which passes through British EEZ waters, for which this Notice to Mariners is applicable, are highlighted accordingly.
Mariners are advised to provide wide berth (at least 1 km) and navigate with caution in the area.
Fixed fishing gear within the corridor of +/- 1000m from route centreline is required to be removed
SURVEY
The Detailed Marine, Geotechnical and UXO Survey works are being undertaken by the vessel OSV Relume and Ievoli Cobalt and are expected to commence operations within the area on, or around, 27th April 2023. The survey for the entire cable route is anticipated to take approximately 169 days, depending on the weather, of which approximately 27 days will be spent in British EEZ waters.
During the survey works the vessels will be running survey lines and all vessels are requested to remain 1 km clear as the vessel will be towing sensors in the water as part of standard operations.
The vessels will be displaying the relevant RAM lights and shapes during periods of restricted manoeuvrability and adhere to the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and all licencing requirements.
Operations with the OSV Relume and Ievoli Cobalt will be conducted on a 24-hour basis.
SAFETY
It is requested that anybody having prior knowledge of potentially submerged or moored objects on the seabed within the survey area, which could form a hazard to the survey vessel/equipment, please could you contact Next Geosolutions.
During survey operations the vessels will keep a listening watch on VHF channel 16 and will actively transmit an AIS signal. A listening watch will also be maintained on VTS VHF Channels as appropriate. The survey vessels shall broadcast daily, and at shorter intervals as may be required by passing traffic, the vessel position, operational information, and planned operations for the next twenty-four hours.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteDuring the campaign to lay and bury the Dogger Bank A export cable, it has been necessary to install rock berm protection over the cable in locations where it has not been possible to trench bury the cable
In the section of cable shown in Figure 1 of the attached NtM, the rock berm installation has been installed to a maximum height of approximately 0.6m above seabed level. In these locations, this represents a reduction in depth at Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) of approximately 5%.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners should be aware that the Carradale to Arran North cable has areas of exposure and suspension.
Mariners should be aware that the Carradale - Arran South subsea power cable has areas of exposure and suspension.
The Trinity House Buoy Installation Vessels Patricia and Galatea, have installed the Dogger Bank B boundary demarcation buoys in the Southern North Sea.
The 20 construction boundary demarcation buoys will remain in location until the windfarm construction activities have been completed and handed over to the Operations and Maintenance teams.
Once the permanent Aids to Navigation (AtoN) have been installed on the WTGs, Trinity House will approve the permanent AtoN and the boundary buoys will be removed.
If anyone finds a buoy that is off station or encounters a buoy location where it is not functioning or is missing, they should report this to the Dogger Bank Duty Marine Coordinator as soon as possible.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteThe Offshore Supply Vessel, VOS Start, will carry out Asset Preservation operations within Dogger Bank A construction site. The works will be performed in a single campaign, commencing on the 6th of November 2022 and continuing until approximately 30th September 2023. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. The operations will include visual inspections and maintenance at installed wind turbine foundation locations.
During operations, the VOS Start will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m separation distance from the Offshore Supply Vessel and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working area.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that from the 10 September 2022, for a period of 13 months, two Floating LiDAR buoys and one Seawatch Midi metocean buoy with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) seabed mooring will be deployed within the CampionWind offshore wind farm array. Please maintain a 400 m clearance from the deployed equipment. Deployments will be carried out over 3 days from 10 September 2022; weather permitting. Operations will be completed by the Fishing vessel ‘Elizabeth’.
From the 10 September 2022, for a period of 13 months, two Floating LiDAR buoys and one Seawatch Midi metocean buoy with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) seabed mooring will be deployed within the CampionWind offshore wind farm array to record wind and metocean data.
All locations referred to are outlined in Table 1 and displayed in Figure 1 within the Notice to Mariners (provided as an attachment to this notice). These locations are all within the CampionWind offshore wind farm off the east coast of Scotland.
The Seawatch Midi metocean buoy and the FLiDAR buoys are yellow in colour and will exhibit a navigation light according to IALA standards: five (5) flashes at one (1) Hertz, every twenty (20) seconds (Fl (5) Y 20s). The ranges for the lights on the buoys are 5 nautical miles for both Seawatch Midi and the FLiDAR Buoys. All vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance (400m) from the deployed equipment at all times.
The secondary flidar buoy, SWLB060, see map and coordinates in the Notice to Mariners, has lost its AIS signal. As a result, the buoy is not actively transmitting its location, and is showing its position through lights and radar reflectors.
Further details can be found within the attached Notice to Mariners.
See detailed map on our bulletin websiteMariners are advised that from the 10 September 2022, for a period of 13 months, two Floating LiDAR buoys and one Seawatch Midi metocean buoy with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) seabed mooring will be deployed within the MarramWind offshore wind farm array. Please maintain a 400 m clearance from the deployed equipment. Deployments will be carried out over 3 days from 10 September 2022; weather permitting. Operations will be completed by the Fishing vessel ‘Elizabeth’.
From the 10 September 2022, for a period of 13 months, two Floating LiDAR buoys and one Seawatch Midi metocean buoy with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) seabed mooring will be deployed within the MarramWind offshore wind farm array to record wind and metocean data.
All locations referred to are outlined in Table 1 and displayed in Figure 1 within the Notice to Mariners (provided as an attachment to this notice). These locations are all within the MarramWind offshore wind farm off the east coast of Scotland.
The Seawatch Midi metocean buoy and the FLiDAR buoys are yellow in colour and will exhibit a navigation light according to IALA standards: five (5) flashes at one (1) Hertz, every twenty (20) seconds (Fl (5) Y 20s). The ranges for the lights on the buoys are 5 nautical miles for both Seawatch Midi and the FLiDAR Buoys. All vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance (400m) from the deployed equipment at all times.
Further details can be found within the attached Notice to Mariners.
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