News

Partrac is recovering two Floating LiDAR FLS200 buoys (E43 and E44) at two locations (Table 1, Figure 1), near the NOAH Met Mast, 3nm off the coast of Blyth (Table 1, Figure 1, Figure 2). Please maintain a 500m exclusion around each buoy. The buoys are expected to be deployed between 16th August 2024 - 20th August 2024, weather permitting using the Waddenstroom. The buoys are planned to be recovered between 8th October 2024 - 20th October 2024, weather permitting.

The two Floating LiDAR buoys are deployed within the Blyth Met Mast consent area under Marine Licence L/2020/00313/1.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

The scope of works will incldue:

• Installation of a tidal turbine
• Installation of 4 x 4te rock bags
• Recovery of a scientific monitoring platform

Mariners are advised of potential floating debris in the vicinity of the Dogger Bank A offshore wind farm array area. Any sightings of floating debris should be reported to the Duty Marine Coordinator.

UXO Identification & Disposal works will continue into October using the vessel 'Glomar Wave, Katabatic and DSV Curtis Marshall within the East Anglia 3 (EA3) OWF & ECR.

All underwater activities associated with the Glomar Wave are being carried out using WROV.

All underwater activities associated with the Katabatic and Curtis Marshall (expected on site from 20/10/24) will be carried out using divers

UXO Identification & Disposal activities are expected to be complete by End of October 2024

On behalf of Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd, Seaway 7 will conduct rock placement operations on areas of under-buried or surface laid inter-array cable within the boundary of the Seagreen offshore wind farm. The Fall Pipe vessel Yellowstone is expected to arrive at the Seagreen site on or around the 19 th of October. Operations are expected to be completed within 2 weeks. Vessel details below

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Proposed survey activity:

Two survey vessels will be used for the survey, the Braveheart Spirit and the Four Winds. These will be supported by the Sorrento as a pilot vessel. The Braveheart Spirit is anticipated to mobilise on the 1sth of April from Ijmudien, Netherlands and begin survey works on the 3rd of April. The Four Winds is anticipated to mobilise on the 19th of April 2024 from Imjudien  and begin offshore works on the 21st of April. The works will last for approximately  51 days, allowing for mobilisation, survey operations, de-mobilisation and weather contingency. Note that the vessel will have limited manoeuvrability and it is requested that all vessels operating near the survey vessels maintain a safe distance (at least 500m) and pass at minimum speed.

Safety:

It is requested that anybody having knowledge of any potential objects submerged or moored on the seabed within the survey area that could be damaged or form a hazard to the survey vessel and its equipment advises Hornsea Three’s Onshore Fisheries Liaison of their position and nature. Hornsea Three has not requested the clearance of any static fishing gear within the survey boundary shown in Figure 1 and described in Section 7 of this Notice. When surveys commence, a listening watch will be maintained on VHF Channel 12 and 16 when the survey vessel is within the appropriate port authority area and will actively transmit an AIS signal.

On the instruction of Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution [herein SHEPD], a survey campaign is required to provide detailed information on the seabed characteristics of within Gunna Sound to enable a route engineering feasibility study to be undertaken as part of a planned submarine cable installation project between Coll and Tiree. The survey area is a 300m corridor.

One of two MCA Category III vessels - Marine Sensor or Coastal Sensor will be utilised on the project. Survey operations at this location is expected to commence within w/c 30th September 2024, with an anticipated duration of 21 days.

VESSEL DETAILS The vessels conducting these works 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. Mobile contacts for the vessels are listed at the end of this NtM.

Mariners are advised that the following vessels will be arriving at the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm (TKOWF) as outlined within previously issued NtM's:

The Cardinal P will be conducting a short seabed survey following Rock Dumping operations. Commencement date is approximate and dependant on weather. Work is expected to last around 6 Hours and will be performed by ROV deployment around the following location: 53° 27.04' N 0° 53.38' E

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:

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.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Please be advised that Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking a subsea inspection of a cable in the West Highlands.

A range of vessels will be available for the project.The inspection works will be centred on a 50m cable corridor.

LOCATION DETAILS

The cable location and indicative survey corridor is noted below for information. 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.

VESSEL DETAILS

The vessels conducting these works 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. Mobile contacts for the vessels are listed at the end of the attached NtM.

Please be advised that Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking subsea inspections of several cables across the West Highlands and Argyll marine areas.

Given the different conditions and water depths anticipated at each site, a range of vessels will be available for the project. The inspection works will be centred on a 50m cable corridor.

LOCATION DETAILS

Cable location and indicative survey corridors are noted in the attached NtM for information. 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.

VESSEL DETAILS

The vessels conducting these works 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. Mobile contacts for the vessels are listed at the end of this NtM.

NOTICE TO MARINERS

Issue Date: 1 September 2024

Updated Date: 11 October 2024 (Due to the weather conditions, Please be advised that the survey has been suspended and will be remobilised on 17/10/2024  weather permitting)

National Grid Ventures

NSL North Sea Link Geophysical & Environmental Survey

This notice provides an update on the upcoming Geophysical Survey in the North Sea.

The survey will be conducted on behalf of the National Grid Ventures using survey vessel EGS VENTUS. This vessel is appropriately licensed and has the requisite certifications by RINA. The work will include a geophysical survey along the cable corridor, with the start point located 4 nautical miles from shore and the end point at the UK EEZ boundary, as detailed in the table below.

Table 1. Start and end points for the survey corridor.

• The geophysical survey scope will include MBES, SSS survey of the route, Video inspection within MCZ, plus MBES along the centreline.
• The vessel has been alongside at the Port of Sunderland since 08/10/2024. Survey work has been stood down due to the bad weather.
• Work is expected to re-mobilize on 17/10/2024, weather permitting.
• Vessel EGS VENTUS will be on site on circa 17/10/2024 for re-mobilisation and commence survey works immediately after.
• The survey work is targeted to finish before 31/10/2024, provided there are no further weather disruptions.
• A 500-metre corridor free of static gear is requested.

NB: Vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and fishing vessels are advised to remain a safe distance from the areas identified. The survey vessels will always be reachable via VHF Channel 16.

Contact Details:

Further enquiries should be addressed to the following contacts:

Marine and Fisheries Liaison

Aaron Mair

Tel: +44 (0) 7468 457 030

Email: a.mair@seagard.org 

Project Management

David Williams

Email: David.Williams1@nationalgrid.com  

Matthew Truell

Email: matthew.truell@redpenguinmarine.com

Please be aware that, during the major repair activities, by virtue of its mode of operation the Jack-up vessel 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 Seaway Ventus and their crew, and the ability to undertake its contracted works, fishermen who have static fishing gears deployed within 500 m from the WTG where major repairs are planned 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- lostgear#marking-of-fishing-gear).

The Scottish Ministers have authorised the establishment of a 500-metre radius safety zone around all major maintenance works being undertaken. The safety zones will be active when the jack-up vessel involved in undertaking major maintenance works is attached to, or anchored next to, the renewable energy installation. No more than one 500 metre major maintenance safety zone will be active at any given time.

All mariners are requested to give a wide berth to all vessels involved in the major repair activities.

Mariners are requested to navigate with caution, to use all means appropriate to aid safe navigation as defined under COLREGs Rule 7, and keep continued watch on VHF Ch. 16, 87 and 73 when navigating the area.

This notice to mariners is to inform that TC East Anglia 1 OFTO ltd will be undertaking a subsea export cable repair at approximately KP44 of CCT 1 (North). Works will be carried out by Nexans AS acting as the principal contractor the using the dedicated cable lay vessel ‘Skagerrak’ which is expected to arrive on site circa 16th September 2024. Work duration is expected to be approximately 4 weeks.

The East Anglia One wind farm is located approximately 50 km off the coast of Suffolk in the North Sea.

Nature of operations RWE Renewables Ltd is required to complete Geotechnical site investigations in relation to the installation of the offshore WTG’s for the future Five Estuaries windfarm. The Kommandor Susan survey vessels shall be conducting geotechnical survey operations on a 24-hour basis. The work will consist of Geotechnical Survey ops within the boundaries of the offshore wind farm site. We kindly ask that all vessels in the local vicinity observe a 500m safety zone. It is requested that anyone having knowledge of any potential objects submerged or moored on the seabed within the survey area that could be damaged or form and hazard to the survey vessels and their equipment advises the Fisheries Liaison of their position and nature to help aid survey operations. The extents of the boundaries are detailed in the attached NTM. 

See detailed map on our bulletin website

RWE Renewables Ltd is deploying the LiDAR buoy to assist in the site investigations in relation to the installation of the offshore WTG’s for the future Five Estuaries windfarm. The buoy is collecting a minimum of 12 months of data, with a full recovery of all equipment at the end of the data collection. The mooring will be via a steel or concrete gravity anchor and a single line rise, not exceeding 9m2 seabed footprint or 20,000 kg. The maximum drift radius is 163m in Extreme conditions. The LiDAR buoy will exhibit navigational lighting as directed by Trinity House and transmit AIS. The Elisa shall be conducting operations, and the works are expected to be 1 day for deployment. The work will consist within the boundaries of the offshore wind farm site. We kindly ask that all vessels in the local vicinity are aware the 500m safety zone around operations. This is designed to avoid possible interactions and ensure safety of all vessels. It is requested that anyone having knowledge of any potential objects submerged or moored on the seabed within the survey area that could be damaged or form and hazard to the survey vessels and their equipment advises the Fisheries Liaison of their position and nature to help aid the survey operations. The extents of the boundaries are in the attached NTM.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Licenced activity notified under reference ms-00010730

The 84 meter installation /rock placement vessel ‘Heimdal R’ can be expected to arrive on-site at the robin rigg wind farm on or around Tuesday 22nd October to begin scour protection at the above mentioned turbine position.

This will involve ‘loose rock placement’, extending out for approx. 10 meters from the base of the turbine, being laid to protect the underwater fittings from excess wear and damage

Depending on weather and conditions ‘Heimdal R’ can be expected to be on-site for approx. 15 days.

Vessels details and picture -  1st. Attachment,

No additional location markings will be dispayed during these installation works and at all times while on site a wide berth, minimum 500 meters, is requested around ‘heimdal r’ and passing vessels are requested to reduce speed, if possible.

Also attached for information is the  ‘Kingfisher Flyer’ which gives all of the relevant information concerning the Robin Rigg Wind Farm.

Please note that the ‘Flyers’ are for provided for information purposes relating to the Wind Farm only and should not be used for navigation.

All vessels operating at this Wind Farm will keep a listening watch on VHF Channels 16 & 14 and can be contacted for information relating to vessel movements only.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about any of the content of this notice or if you require any further information, also please pass this information to any of your colleagues who you think might be interested.

If you know of any fisherman who works the area and does not receive this information or anybody else who would benefit from this information please let me know.

Fishing inside the Wind Farm

For more information on the boundaries of the 50 metre Advisory Safety distances please ensure that you have the latest KIS-ORCA information installed - this can be downloaded from www.KIS-ORCA.eu

Please also consult the MMO website : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marking-of-fishing-gear-retrieval-and-notification-of-lost-gear

If fishing inside the Wind Farm you are advised to use Dhan Buoys anchored towards the middle of the lane with a long weighted feed line rather than Marker Buoys that can be moved by the strong tides and so foul the Turbines.

The MCA have requested me to add that they provide a leaflet, free of charge, with the recommended method of marking gear. You are advised to use Dhan Buoys anchored towards the middle of the lane with a long weighted feed line rather than Marker Buoys that can be moved by the strong tides and so foul the Turbines.

If in any doubt or if you require any further information please contact me.

Regards :  Tom Watson

Tel………. Mobile 07903 173 624

Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (Moray West) as part of the offshore export installation works will be undertaking installation of armour rock onto the OEC cables at the seaward end of the HDDs. The Works will be carried out by the “Heimdal R” which is expected to arrive on site circa 20th October 2024. Work duration is expected to be approximately between two days and one week, depending on weather.

Activity: Operations of remotely piloted Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) are planned out of Hartlepool commencing early October, continuing until the end of December 2024. The vessels will be engaged in geophysical survey activities associated in the North Sea.

Dates: Operations will take place subject to weather and other operational factors from 14 th October 2024 until the end of December 2024.

Mothership: The USV(s) will be launched from a mothership to conduct survey operations. The USVs will be loaded onto the deck of the mothership, launched for survey operations within the site boundary and recovered back onto the mothership once each mission is complete. While the USV is engaged in survey operations the mothership may transit back to port or standby offshore depending on operational need. The mothership used for this project is the Haltbakk Star (figure 3).

Although the USVs are uncrewed, it is piloted remotely throughout the 24 hour operation, using 360 degree cameras and other navigational aids. Figure 1 below indicates the operational area. The survey area boundary is indicated in Table 1 below also. In addition to the survey area, the mothership will transit from Hartlepool to site.

Fisheries Liaison for this survey will be co-ordinated by Natural Power. All commercial fishery queries, should be directed to Peter Berney or Hollie Maven; Mobile T: 07391402387 / Email: Ossian.FLO@naturalpower.com.

XOCEAN will not be requesting fishing gear clearance at this time. The USVs will operate around all fishing activities. The vessel will be operating towed equipment to gather data on the seabed.

The vessel will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, and mariners are advised to maintain a safe distance of 500m.

The USV sends real time images and situational awareness data over satellite to a team of operators keeping watch and controlling the vessel remotely 24/7.

Safety Precautions: The USV is equipped with the following to make it conspicuous to other marine traffic:

â–ª AIS

â–ª VHF

â–ª Navigation Lights & Sound Signal

â–ª Active Radar Reflector

â–ª Superstructure Painted Yellow

Seafarers are asked to avoid contact with the vessel and be aware of the operational area during this period

XOCEAN - Emergency Contact Details:

 USV Supervisor (24/7) +353 1 223 9950 usv.supervisor@xocean.com

Rhiannon Evans (Project Manager) +44 2080 982107 Rhiannon.evans@xocean.com

Oliver Harris (Head of Projects) +44 2080 982108 oliver.harris@xocean.com

Anthony O’Toole (Marine Superintendent) +353 1 223 9957 Anthony.otoole@xocean.com

During operations, the Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone and pass at reduced speed.

Mariners are advised that a nearshore and offshore marine benthic and geotechnical survey (sampling campaign) is planned for the Sea Link project along the planned Sea Link cable route corridor between the Suffolk approaches, and the Outer Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate, Kent 

The marine survey activities are planned to commence 17th October and extend throughout to 30th October, depending on weather conditions.

About Sea Link – National Grid Electricity Transmission is proposing to reinforce the transmission network between Suffolk and Kent via a new, primarily offshore, cable link. More information about the Sea Link project can be found on their website: https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/network-and-infrastructure/infrastructure-projects/sealink/about-sea-link

The Sea Link nearshore and offshore geotechnical survey works are being carried out by Next GeoSolutions onboard the NG DRILLER.

The specific areas of work and sample locations, pertaining to this Notice to Mariners (NtM) , are shown in more detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the attached document.

The benthic sampling, utilising grab sampling and a drop-down video (DDV) camera was completed by the Ievoli Grey in September. The Geotechnical sampling utilising a Cone Penetrometer system (CPT) and a Vibrocore (VC) system will be perfromed from the NG Driller within October. 

All vessels shall pass at a safe speed and distance, whilst fishing vessels are asked to remain at a safe distance (approximately 500 metres where possible) (COLREGs Rule 16 & 18) from the areas identified during marine sampling operations. The survey vessel will monitor VHF Channel 16 at all times.

The PAM stations will remain on the seabed until approximately the 31st of October 2027. The current PAM stations have 12 m height above the seabed, weighing 600 kg and their location is not marked by a surface buoy (OGN).There will be 3 types of monitoring station: 1) not marked with surface buoy (OGN); 2) two anchor points with 600 kg weight on each with max. 100 m seabed line between each mooring and a surface buoy on one of the anchor points (STL); and 3) a surface buoy deployment with two 600 kg anchor lines (TDS). Please see table below for which locations these mooring types will be laid. There is an exclusion zone of 250 m around the PAM Stations. All marine traffic is advised to abide by the 250 m safety zone around the PAM Stations all the time for their safety

Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (Moray West) as part of the annual operations and maintenance of assets will be undertaking general visual inspection of the asset foundations. Works will be carried out by the “Seacat Courageous” which is expected to arrive on site circa 7th October 2024. Work duration is expected to be approximately 1 month.

Foundation Installation Works (Aeolus)

The Aeolus has commenced the Offshore Foundation Transport and Installation works within the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Array. These works include the transport and installation operations of primary components, namely Monopiles, and secondary components, namely Main Access Platforms, Internal Platforms, Boat Landings and Upper Ladders.

Vessels will be transiting to Sofia Offshore Wind Farm field from the Port of Tyne in the UK.

The following table highlights foundation installation progress and next 7 day forecast.

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Exclusion Zone coordinates, are shown below and included within the relevant NtM.  Mariners are requested to remain outside this Exclusion Zone.

Vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and fishing vessels are advised to remain outside of the areas identified.

Service Operation Vessels

The Service Operations Vessel (SOV) “Rem Power” & Daughter craft “Rem Transporter” continues to support to the SOWF project throughout the construction of the offshore windfarm.

SOVs shall be transiting to / from the Sofia Array and the port of Blyth / Sunderland throughout this period.

Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from vessels. During these works, SOVs will have restricted manoeuvrability and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes/ lights and flag for vessels engaged in diving operations and restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

Guard Vessels

While in operation, the guard vessel 'Defender' will be present in the field in close proximity for guarding the cable lay vessel (Calypso) and SOV vessels (Acta Orion & Acta Auriga) when active in the operation.

The Guard Vessel 'Accord' is also expected to commence operations during October 2024.

The "Enterprise II” continues with infield and Export Cable Corridor guard vessel duties.

Crew Transfer Vessel

The Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) ‘Maintainer’ is expected to commence operations infield circa 7th October 2024 and will be supporting Van Oord with infield personnel transfers and cargo runs between the Port of Blyth to the offshore array.

All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc.

Cable Lay, Plough and Jointing

Campaign 2 of the Cable lay and plough works will take place from KP130 to KP222 (the OCP). The cable jointing works, and cable lay and plough operations will take place from approximately 5th October for a duration of approximately 5 weeks. This duration will be weather dependant.

Cable Pull-In

Cable pull-in and support works at the Offshore Converter Platform (KP222) will also take place using the cable lay vessel (CLV) “Leonardo Da Vinci”. This will take place from approximately 15th November for a duration of 15 days. This will take place within the wind farm area, at the OCP. This duration will be weather dependant.

Cable Lay Vessel and Guard Vessels

The Leonardo Da Vinci will be present for the entire scope of works. The Leonardo Da Vinci will transit from Middlesborough support depot or transit directly from Nordernham (Germany) Factory to site. 24hr 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. Since the cable will be simultaneously installed and buried with the plough the use of Guard Vessels will be reduced.

The CLV will be supported by 2 guard vessels (Gleaner and Phoenix) that will cover the section where the joint has been deployed (KP 130) and the section with the crossings (KP163.5-165.5). The guard vessels will be onsite 24 hours per day, returning to North Shields based on operational requirements.

Exclusion zone coordinates for the 2024 cable lay and plough, jointing and pull-in works are identified within table above as well as an additional table showing the coordinates of the guard vessel locations supporting Campaign 2.

Please be aware that by virtue of mode of operation and the equipment deployed, the Leonardo da Vinci will at times be Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre as defined under COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, Rule 3).

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 Leonardo Da Vinci (CLV) will have restricted manoeuvrability as it carries out the cable pull-in and lay works. 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.

The vessel shall be transiting to / from the Sofia Array and the ports of Blyth & Sunderland throughout this period.

The exact finish date will be dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress.

Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from Calypso. During these works, Calypso will have restricted manoeuvrability and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes/ lights.

The Calypso can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc.

Service Operation Vessels

The Service Operations Vessel (SOV) “Rem Power” & Daughter craft “Rem Transporter” continues to support to the SOWF project throughout the construction of the offshore windfarm.

SOVs continue to support Inter Array Cable works.

SOVs shall be transiting to / from the Sofia Array and the port of Blyth / Sunderland throughout this period.

Guard Vessels

While in operation, the guard vessel 'Defender' will be present in the field in close proximity for guarding the cable lay vessel (Calypso) and SOV vessels (Acta Orion & Acta Auriga) when active in the operation. 

The Guard Vessel 'Accord' is also expected to commence operations during October 2024.

The "Enterprise II” continues with infield and Export Cable Corridor guard vessel duties.

Crew Transfer Vessel

The Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) ‘Maintainer’ is expected to commence operations infield circa 7th October 2024 and will be supporting Van Oord with infield personnel transfers and cargo runs between the Port of Blyth to the offshore array.

All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc.

A regular service of Platform Supply Vessels commenced 8th September 2024 providing supplies to the Offshore Converter Platform & JUV Seafox 2 until further notice.  Those nominated vessels are:

• Dina Merkur;
• Dina Scout;
• Dina Supporter;
• Dina Supplier;
• FS Crathes;
• Bos Pool;
• Bos Base

An eight legged jacket with 8 driven pin piles has been installed as a foundation for the OCP followed by the OCP itself.

All vessels will be arriving from non UK Ports throughout.

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Boundary Co-ordinates where the works will take place are provided below.  All non-project vessels are requested to remain outside this area.

The As Laid Coordinates of the anchors are also provided below.

Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from vessels. During these works, SOVs will have restricted manoeuvrability and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes/ lights and flag for vessels engaged in diving operations and restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel

The EERVs Putford Viking, Putford Achates and Putford Ajax are supporting the commissioning phase of the Offshore Converter Platform, providing close standby cover as required during overside works.

Only one of the three nominated vessels will be on location at any one time.

Service Operation Vessels

The Service Operations Vessel (SOV) “Rem Power” & Daughter craft “Rem Transporter” continues to support the SOWF project throughout the construction of the offshore windfarm.

SOVs shall be transiting to / from the Sofia Array and the port of Blyth / Sunderland throughout this period.

Guard Vessels

While in operation, the guard vessel 'Defender' will be present in the field in close proximity for guarding the cable lay vessel (Calypso) and SOV vessels (Acta Orion & Acta Auriga) when active in the operation. 

The Guard Vessel 'Accord' is also expected to commence operations during October 2024.

The "Enterprise II” continues with infield and Export Cable Corridor guard vessel duties.

All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc.

The table below provides the coordinates of the total working area of works to be undertaken by the Subsea Viking. 

The vessel shall be transiting to / from the Sofia Array from the Port of Blyth throughout this period.

Vessels are requested to leave a wide berth during the installation operations of at least 0.5 Nautical Miles. 

The length of Subsea Viking activities will vary depending on the execution progress, and details of any changes will be confirmed in further Notice to Mariners to be issued during the course of the project.

Mariners should be aware that some aspects of the work may result in a temporary reduction in navigable depth greater than 5%. Once installed, the cable protection system stabilisation is expected to have a reduction in navigable depth greater than 5%, localised in close proximity to the WTG.

The Subsea Viking shall be exhibiting the correct day shapes and night lights for a vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre. The vessel will be operating 24 hours per day.

Service Operation Vessels

The Service Operations Vessel (SOV) “Rem Power” & Daughter craft “Rem Transporter” continues to provide support to the SOWF project throughout the construction of the offshore windfarm.

SOVs continue to support Inter Array Cable works.

SOVs shall be transiting to / from the Sofia Array and the port of Blyth / Sunderland throughout this period.

Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from vessels. During these works, SOVs will have restricted manoeuvrability and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes/ lights and flag for vessels engaged in diving operations and restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

Guard Vessels

While in operation, the guard vessel 'Defender' continues to support and guard the cable lay vessel (Calypso) and SOV vessels (Acta Orion & Acta Auriga) when active in the operation. 

The Guard Vessel 'Accord' is also expected to commence operations on or around 1st October 2024.

The "Enterprise II” continues with infield and Export Cable Corridor guard vessel duties.

All vessels can be contacted on VHF 16 for further information as required reference proximity / nearby operations etc.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Equipped on a side-mounted pole extended into the water, the survey gear will make several passes at reduced speed over the area. The Seafast Don will transit to the work site from the Port of Hartlepool periodically throughout the project. During operations, the Seafast Don 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 give the Seafast Don a wide berth and pass at reduced speed when the vessel is engaged in survey activities. The vessel will monitor VHF CH16 and VHF DSC Ch70 continuously throughout.

The work will mobilize 18 October 2024 until 31 December 2024. Work will be performed within the Export Cable (EC) route and will be continuous, 24 hours a day.  During rock placement operations, the construction working corridor will remain closed for any static fishing, anchoring or use of other equipment with seabed intervention. Rollingstone will be restricted in its ability to maneuver 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. In the period between cable lay operation until the cable has been permanently protected by means of burial or rock placement, the cable may be locally exposed on the seafloor and the construction working corridor will remain closed for any static fishing, anchoring or use of other equipment with seabed intervention. 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.

Please be advised that during a recent routine inspection of the Aberdeen Offshore Windfarm, the following lighting issues have been identified:

• A3276.5 - AWF08: Lights on the turbine are not synchronized.

LAT    57° 13.809'   -   N 1° 58.450' W

• A3276.8 - AWF04: Turbine is unlit.

LAT    57° 14.405'  -   N 1° 58.551' W

• A3279 - AWF09: Turbine is unlit.

LAT   57° 12.476'   -   N 2° 0.627' W

Please be assured that we are working to rectify these defects as soon as weather conditions and operational schedules permit. We will provide an update once the repairs have been successfully completed.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The MJM Enterprise will conduct UXO identification and boulder clearance work along the Inch Cape Export Cable Corridor from Cockenzie to North Berwick (please see Figures 1 and 2). The vessel will be equipped with multi-beam echo sounder (MBES), side-scanner sonar (SSS), and imaging sonar. Boulder relocation will be undertaken using either a subsea multi-tool remotely operated vehicle (SMT-ROV) or a utility remotely operated vehicle (UTROV) smart tine grab. All boulder relocation equipment (ROVs and grabs) will be equipped with an ultra-short baseline (USBL).

Offshore UXO target investigation work will be undertaken using a work-class remotely operated vehicle (WROV).

The vessel will operate from Burntisland and will be located on site during the full campaign. The vessel will return to port once every two weeks.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

The Sound of Islay tidal turbine will be a single, mid water column in-flow turbine. The turbine will operate at varying depths and across the Turbine Operating Area as defined below. The clearance between the sea surface and the turbine will not reduce below 3.5m at any time. Once operational the turbine will be marked by a virtual AIS AtoN ‘located’ approximately 25m to the east of the turbine, this will be broadcast to vessels as a virtual East Cardinal Mark. There will be no physical markers. 

A power cable will run along the seabed from the turbine to the shore following the route as per 'Cable Route' below. 

Please be advised that A-2-Sea Solutions Ltd (on behalf of SHEPD) are continuing to undertake a marine survey within the cable corridors described below. Surveys will utilise two vessels to complete survey operations: â–ªMintaka 1 (offshore) â–ªFPV Morven (nearshore) Survey operations are expected to continue until 31st October 2024, weather permitting

The survey will involve collection of high-resolution geophysical seabed data and In-situ geotechnical sediment testing.

Other vessels are requested to maintain an appropriate and safe distance of 500 m when passing the Mintaka 1 and FPV Morven vessel(s) whilst undertaking operations and should pass at the lowest possible speed to avoid vessel wash effects. The vessel(s) will be working 24-hour operations and will display appropriate day shapes and lights during reduced visibility and night operations. The vessel(s) will also monitor VHF Channels 16 and 12.

Survey will consist of geophysical data collection from towed sensos operated by Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). Survey continuing through all of October when weather allows. Upto 4 vessels will be operational at any one time during this period. The USVs will be operating out of both Eyemouth and Scarborough Harbours. A crewed Support Vessel will be based in these ports at all times to assist the USVs in escorting in out of the harbour in an emergency. The USVs, although uncrewed, are remotely controled at all times and are equipped with cameras, AIS, radar along with other situational awareness sensors. A closest point of approach of 0.5nm should be maintained with the USV at all times.

The table below details the coordinates for the intended working area of the Ievoli Cobalt and mariners are requested to remain outside these coordinates.

The table below details the coordinates of project infrastructure to remain on the seabed following the Ievoli Cobalt’s completion of works. The mattresses are not expected to reduce navigable depth by over 5%.

The "Enterprise II” continues with infield and Export Cable Corridor guard vessel duties.

The scope of work includes a seabed (MBES) and 3D UHRS straight survey lines across wider corridors within the Dogger Bank South West area.  Extended line turn areas have been applied to the DBS West Array geophyscial survey area with coordinates provided in the below tables.

Throughout the survey, the vessel will deploy surface and subsurface survey equipment, during which times the survey vessel will have limited manoeuvrability.

The vessel tow is approximately 200 m in length behind the vessel and has a width of 42 metres and vessel turning requires long wide turns, radius of 1500 m. Approaching vessels are therefore requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and pass at a minimum distance of 1nm.

For the MBES survey the vessel require a minimum passing clearance of at least 0.5 nM.

Operations will be conducted on a 24h basis and the guard/scout vessel ‘Karrelle’ will be aiding the survey operations.  A continuous listening watch will be conducted on VHF Channel 16 and 06 by all vessels operational on site.

The tables below provides coordinates of the maximum working areas during geophysical survey operations.

The work will be performed in three Campaigns, with Campaign 3 / Section 3 covered by this NtM and starting approximately 10 September 2024 and continuing until approximately 31 October 2024. The work will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

Campaign 3 / Section 3 will comprise cable installation offshore between KP175 and the Dogger Bank C Wind Farm at KP255. The cable lay vessel, NKT Victoria will surface lay the export cable in a seaward direction from the in-line joint at KP175 to KP255. During operations the NKT Victoria 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 Cable laying vessel and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor. An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard NKT Victoria to provide support and coordination to fishing vessels,  In the period between cable lay operation until the cable has been permanently protected by means of burial or rock placement, the cable may be locally exposed on the seafloor and the construction working corridor will remain closed for any static fishing, anchoring or use of other equipment with seabed intervention. 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.

The works are scheduled to be performed continuously. The campaign is envisaged to commence upcoming week and expected to continue for upcoming winter months. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

The operations consist of offshore accommodation and transfer of personnel to the different offshore foundations in place.

During operations, the NORSIDE SUPPORTER 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 Vessel and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.

The works will continue over the winter. The vessel will further be assisted by the Walk to Work Vessel SUDRI ENABLER for the deployment of cable pull in teams. Shortly after the start of the cable installation, the Trenching Support vessel (TSV) C-INSTALLER will be mobilised to site for the burial of the installed cables. All works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Charts of the DBB array area are provided below.

The cable lay vessel will deploy the inter array cable onto the seabed through her dedicated deck spread. The cable will remain exposed on the seabed till trenching works by C-INSTALLER are performed.

During operations, the VIKING NEPTUN, C-INSTALLER and SUDRI ENABLER 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. 

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Campaign 2 / Section 1 will comprise cable installation within the nearshore section from landfall at KP0 to KP13 and offshore between KP13 and KP91.5. Campaign 2 will start with installation of concrete mattresses at the Breagh pipeline crossing. The mattresses will be installed by NKT Victoria immediately prior to cable installation. The cable lay vessel, NKT Victoria will then reverse surface lay the export cable in a landward direction from the in-line joint at KP91.5 to the omega joint at KP13 within the offshore section. For the nearshore section, NKT Victoria will be positioned approximately 800 m from the exit point of the previously installed HDD duct, through which cable pull in will be undertaken supported by a nearshore vessel, Waddenstroom. NKT Victoria will then undertake forward surface lay of the export cable in a seaward direction from landfall at KP0 to KP13. Temporary surface lay is intended along the egress corridor at the start of the nearshore section 1.

Campaign 1 / Section 2 between KP91 and KP175, including the Langeled and SEAL pipeline crossings and DBB power cable crossing, has been completed. Campaign 3 / Section 3 will separately comprise cable installation between KP175 and the Dogger Bank C Offshore Wind Farm array area; Campaign 3 will take place in September through October 2024 and will be covered in a future update to this NtM.

During operations the NKT Victoria 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 Cable laying vessel and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.

An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard NKT Victoria to provide support and coordination to fishing vessels, please see contact details below.

The works will be performed in a single campaign, commencing on the 9th of September 2024 and continuing until approximately 30th of September 2024. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Charts of the DBC Array area is provided below.

The operations include the inspection of potential subsea Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) objects and boulder relocation by means of a work class ROV (WROV).

During operations, the Kamara 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 500 metres separation distance from the Offshore Supply Vessel and pass at reduced speed.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Please be advised that Briggs Marine Contractors (on behalf of SHEPD) have installed a new cable between Mainland Shetland and Papa Stour. 

Dive Support vessels will continue to be on site to assist with cable protection. These works are anticipated to be completed on the 5th October (weather permitting).

Work Description

During operations the vessels Forth Warrior will be restricted in ability to manoeuvre. Whilst operations will seek to minimise disruption on the width of the main navigation channel, some disruption may be unavoidable during operations within the working corridor.  

Operations will be conducted over 24 hours and are weather/tide dependent.

Should any vessel wish to come within 500m of the vessels, then direct communication with the Master / Operator is required. The vessels will display the appropriate lights/day shapes for their operations.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

As part of the survey activity three seabed frames shall be deployed within the Seagreen site boundary. The frames/moorings all have an acoustic release & recovery system. Mooring M4_WBAT has an associated groundline and thermistor chain, the attached polyester line contains mini CTD sensors. The surface mark shall display a yellow light, flashing 5 every 20s, range 4 nautical miles. The moorings shall be laid by the research vessel Scotia, which is expected on site on Thursday the 02nd of May to lay moorings. The mooring operation is expected to be completed within 24 hours. Mooring M3_WBAT shall be laid at a date later in May which will be confirmed in a revision to this notice.

Deployment of both buoys and associated mooring system took place on Saturday 21st Sep. Post deployment of the FLS and DWR, service activities be carried out onsite at approximately six-monthly  intervals. Additional notice will be provided prior to service activities being undertaken.

Operations will take place at RF04, RF03 and RF21 and will commence on or around 04th October 2024 and will take approximately 3 days to complete subject to weather.

Please refer to the previous NtM issued on the 27th of June for details of the main array survey, which is underway and details remain unchanged. This notice covers surveys over an additional area of seabed to the west of the site. BBWFL will not be requesting fishing gear relocation. No towed gear will be used and the vessels will work around fishing activities. A guard vessel with an offshore fisheries liaison officer (OFLO) will be present to work alongside the survey vessel. 

Survey Duration  

The survey is anticipated to take place over seven days or less between 26th August and the end of September, either by the Ocean Researcher vessel during weather downtime of the array 3D survey and/or in mid-to-late September by an Xocean USV. As noted in the earlier NtM (first issue), all survey work (array and additional area) are to be completed by 30th September 2024.  

Survey Tasks  

Please note that towed equipment will be used for the ongoing survey as stated in the previous NtM (first issue), but not for the additional new survey area. The surveys involve deployment of: 

• Multi Beam Echosounder; 

• Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS); 

• Sub-bottom profiler; 

• Ultra Short Baseline. 

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). In addition to the Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer on board the guard vessel there will be Onshore Fisheries Liaison Officer services.  

Mariners are advised that MarramWind Limited (a 50/50 Joint Venture company between ScottishPower Renewables UK Limited and Shell New Energies Holding Limited) FLiDAR Buoy WS198 will remain mobilised until the 31st December 2024. Service activities on the buoy will be carried out at approximately three-monthly intervals, depending on weather conditions.

Servicing activities will comprise of the following steps:

− Temporary retrieval of the FLiDAR Buoys WS198 for transport to Aberdeen for servicing;

− Collection of FLiDAR Buoy WS198 in Aberdeen for onsite redeployment.

All locations referred to are outlined in a table 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 75 km off the east coast of Scotland.

FLiDAR Buoy WS198 is 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 buoy is 5 nautical miles.

Further details can be found within the attached Notice to Mariners.

Mariners are advised that CampionWind Limited (a 50/50 Joint Venture company between ScottishPower Renewables UK Limited and Shell New Energies Holding Limited) FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 will remain mobilised until the 31st December 2024. Service activities on the buoy will be carried out at approximately three monthly intervals, depending on weather conditions.

Servicing activities will comprise of the following steps: − Temporary retrieval of the FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 for transport to Aberdeen for servicing; − Collection of FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 in Aberdeen for onsite redeployment.

The FLiDAR Buoy will be monitored remotely so that in the event of a mooring failure, a team can be mobilised to carry out recovery and re-deployment activities. The Seawatch FLiDAR Buoy is 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 light on the Buoy is 5 nautical miles.

The FLiDAR Buoys location is outlined below and displayed within the Notice to Mariners (provided as an attachment to this notice). This location is within the CampionWind offshore wind farm array area, off the east coast of Scotland.

CampionWind will not seek to submit an updated AIS licence to support this extended mobilisation as the existing AIS Licence (1280449/3) is valid until September 2027.

LOCATION DETAILS

Cable location and indicative survey corridors are noted below for information. 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.

VESSEL DETAILS

The vessels conducting these works 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. Mobile contacts for the vessels are listed at the end of this NtM.

Dates of survey to be confirmed.

An additional met-ocean buoy will be installed at KP180 along the export cable route.

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.  

The table below provides a summary of the Met-ocean Buoys deployed at the SOWF Array.

In the interest of safety, Humber Gateway request that mariners observe the box SAFETY area (figure:1), until such time as the exposed cable is completely buried. The coordinates of this box are

Position A (NW Corner): 053° 39’.680N 000° 14’.584E

Position B (SW Corner): 53° 39’.161N 000° 14’.897E

Position C (SE Corner): 53° 39’.602N 000° 16’.701E

Position D (NE Corner): 53° 40’.106N 000° 16’.372E

See attached figure 1

Humber Gateway will be  monitoring activity within, and close to, this box and Guard Vessel Mimer  will be on station during the period where the cable is exposed located in the immediate vicinity of the cable. Mariners encroaching on this box will be contacted  by the Guard Vessel and reminded of the requests to avoid fishing or transiting through the identified box.

Sea attached Figure 2

Guard Vessel Mimer details:

Length: 24.46m

Beam: 7.1m

Draft: 3.51m

Gross Tonnage: 220

Call Sign: T7ACL

MMSI: 268240900

Vsat bridge: +31 (0) 255 78007

Mobile Phone: +31 (0) 255 787 007

Vessel E- Mail: mimer@dbconnect.nl

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. All mariners are requested to make themselves aware of their obligations for conducting activities over buried and protected cables under International and UK Cable (Subsea) Protection Legislation.

Burial of the cable, by the vessel NORA-B (MMSI - 244170504, Callsign -PDKG) will take place between 11th September 2024 and 30th September 2024. A photograph of the Nora-B is attached to this notice. Nora-B will be additionally supported by the Artemis (MMSI - 241813000 , Callsign-SVDQ3)  during the operations.

The survey involves the drilling, sampling and coring of boreholes throughout the Array Area. 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 containing details of the positions of Fugro Synergy will be provided

Hywind Scotland windfarm will be undertaking a major component exchange on all 5 x Turbines commencing 11th April 2024. This work will involve the complete disconnection of the mooring lines and electrical cabling which will be lowered and temporarily secured to the seabed, prior to towing each turbine back to Wergeland in Gulen, Norway. The project is due to last around 4 months in total; however there should be some expectation of weather delays therefore some contingency should be applied to the planned dates. The Service Operation Vessel (SOV), Island Diligence will remain in the windfarm for the duration of the project to carry out all preparatory works. This vessel will also act as the supporting guard vessel as operations are likely to take place 24/7 during the project period. . As the windfarm area will be extremely busy with vessel movements and operations it is recommended that this area is restricted for entry for any vessels that are not involved in the project. Subsea structures will remain in place once a turbine has been removed, therefore the below locations should be avoided at all times

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 geotechnical survey works consist of Benthic Sampling. intervals.

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. Note, centreline co-ordinates are provided on the associated Kingfisher notice.

Contact details for the project Fisheries Liaison Officers are detailed below.

The geotechnical survey works are being carried out by Next Geosolutions using the following vessel:

Ievoli Grey (IMO 9608788; MMSI 247325100; Call Sign IBCM).

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.

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 website

The works to install a new subsea cable and associated protection and stabilisation measures) have now been completed and these are located within the corridor described below (Figure 1). Updates to nautical charts will be made following completion of as-built surveys.

Mariners are thanked for their cooperation during the execution of the works.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Overview 

Mariners are advised that SSE Renewables will be returning to Berwick Bank Wind Farm area to continue Geotechnical survey work. The survey will be within the proposed Berwick Bank Wind Farm site boundary (see Figure 1). Respective co-ordinates are listed in Table 1.   

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 Fugro and will be conducted from the vessel Sea Gull. The geotechnical survey is due to start on 02 May 2024. The scouting/guard vessel will be the Artemis. 

Survey Duration  

The survey is planned to mobilise on 02 May 2024 lasting approximately 4 months. As a result of weather delays, the planned survey end date will be 31 December 2024. 

Survey Tasks  

The scope of work within the main array area will comprise downhole sampling and cone penetration tests in sand and clay then extended by rotary core drilling in rock to depths up to 50 m below seabed. 

During the campaign, the survey vessel will be deploying underwater equipment to 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.  

The planned works will be carried out along the cable route.

The mooring system consists of a 15 m rubber cord, a 60 mm polypropylene rope, two floats, another 80 m of polypropylene rope attached to bottom chains (see Figure 2). Marine users should maintain a recommended 500 metre safe clearance distance from the buffer area shown in Figure 1 due to the risk of snagging or propellor fouling. Updates will be issued via a revised Notice to Mariners when available.

The work will be performed in three Campaigns, with Campaign 3 / Section 3 covered by this NtM and starting approximately 10 September 2024 and continuing until approximately 31 October 2024. The work will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Coordinates and chart of the route are provided below.

Campaign 3 / Section 3 will comprise cable installation offshore between KP175 and the Dogger Bank C Wind Farm at KP255. The cable lay vessel, NKT Victoria will surface lay the export cable in a seaward direction from the in-line joint at KP175 to KP255.

During operations the NKT Victoria 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 Cable laying vessel and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.

An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard NKT Victoria to provide support and coordination to fishing vessels, please see contact details below.

In the period between cable lay operation until the cable has been permanently protected by means of burial or rock placement, the cable may be locally exposed on the seafloor and the construction working corridor will remain closed for any static fishing, anchoring or use of other equipment with seabed intervention. 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.

RWE Renewables UK Wind Ltd at Rampion windfarm would like to inform mariners that we are undertaking essential beach remediation works at cable landfall and the area should be avoided for the duration where practicable.

This work is due to commence 16th September 2024 and is due to cease 31st October 2024 within the cable corridor order limits at Lancing Beach, Lancing, BN15 8RA. These dates may be subject to slippage and further Notice to Mariners.

The works involve: removal of the top 20cm of clay in areas above the cables, backfilling with cobbles and reinstatement of sand to return the beach to its former profile. The risk to local beach users is involved with deployment of heavy plant such as backhoe loaders and removal vehicles.

For the safety of the working crew and anyone in the vicinity of the remediation works, vigilance is required by all when navigating the beach for the duration of the works.

To provide the required coverage, approximately 16 guard vessels will be used in the period from the 19th of March 2024 until the 30th of November 2024. Durations at each location will depend on progress of the cable installation, trenching and rock placement operations. Not all the vessels are expected to be used concurrently.

The primary purpose of the guard vessels is to protect the exposed cable along the Dogger Bank C Export Cable corridor by monitoring and issuing warnings to marine traffic operating within 6Nm of the construction area with a Closest Point of Approach (CPA) < 1.5Nm. More specifically, the focus will be on those vessels with potential to be engaging in bottom contact activities such as fishing and anchoring, as these activities pose a risk not only to the exposed cable bundle but also to the vessels themselves.

The guard vessels will be clearly marked and display a highly visible "GUARD" sign on each side. The vessels will operate 24hrs, in all but extreme weather. Exchange of vessels on site will ensure the relevant section of cable is never left unguarded.

In sections where cable protection has been completed, guard vessels will be released, and sections will be opened up for fishing or use of other of equipment with seabed intervention. This may not necessarily be in a sequential order from shoreside outwards.

*COWF-SWLB080 relocated 3rd of June 2024*

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 (V10).

See detailed map on our bulletin website

The vessel 'Green Isle' will be used for the instillation works. 

The deployed equipment will comprise a seabed frame, equipped with metocean instrumentation, connected via a ground line to a secondary anchor weight and recovery system. This secondary anchor weight will be positioned up to 270 m away from the seabed frame. An accompanying guard buoy complete with lantern and AIS will also be deployed. Due to ground conditions, the mooring design at the D1 location differs from above. Equipment will comprise a subsurface ‘stumpy’ mooring which will not be visible from the water surface. No guard buoy will be deployed at this location. Specific locations are charted within the attached NtM. 

All vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance (500m) from any maintenance vessels at all times. All vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance (400m) from the deployed monitoring equipment as shown in Section 2 at all times (detailed in attached NtM).

The outline of the survey works is as follows: 

• Start: September 2024
• Scheduled servicing: November 2024 – January 2025, weather dependent
• Recovery: March 2025

Seabed CPTs and Downhole CPT's. 

East Anglia THREE will be a large offshore wind farm, located 69 km off the Norfolk coast. With a projected capacity of approximately 1400MW, the wind farm shall supply electricity to approximately one million UK homes. Onshore construction for the project started in July 2022. 

By use of multiple specialized offshore vessels,1 Offshore Convertor station (OFCS) & 95 offshore wind turbine generators (WTGs) will be installed within the East Anglia Three site boundary along with the associated inter array and export cables. The generated power will be transmitted via an installed External Cable (EC) from the OFCS to a shore side substation located in Bramford. 

Positions of equipment can be seen in Figure and Table 1 of attached. 

The operations will include visual inspections and maintenance at installed WTG foundation locations. During operations, the Edda Boreas 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.

HydroWing – ADCP deployment Plan – English

As a berth holder at the Morlais Demonstration Zone (MDZ), a site operated by Menter Môn, HydroWing in partnership with DynamOcean wish to undertake resource/velocity data collection. 

Data collection will utilise one Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). The ADCP will be placed on the seabed in locations highlighted below and will be left for ~12 weeks.

ADCP Deployment/recovery operations will require ~0.5-1 days each on site.

Anticipated Timeline

The below shows the proposed timeline for the data collection operations. Due to weather uncertainties at this time of year, HydroWing have highlighted 1 month windows for deployment and recovery to enable flexibility and ability to be reactive to suitable weather/tide windows.

Expected dates are as follows:

Deployment: 29th August or 12th September

Equipment left subsea: Up to 90 days post deployment

Recovery date: 21st or 28th November

 Locational Specifics

Berth BL3 shown in the Map below shows the area in which vessel activities associated with the project will take place along with the proposed locations for equipment deployment

ADCP will be deployed at the following co-ordinates:

The post-lay burial (PLB) vessel “Normand Pacific” will be present for the entire scope of works. The Normand Pacific will transit from Middlesborough Support Depot and remain on site for 24hr operations. The PLB vessel will make passage to and from the support depot as required based on operational constraints.

The PLB will be supported by those guard vessels outlined in the table below.  Guard vessels will remain be onsite 24 hours per day to monitor the export cable until approximately the end of Q4 - 2024.

Exclusion zone coordinates for the post-lay burial works are identified within the table below.

The following table highlights zonal areas where guard vessels are patrolling and guarding the campaign 1 export cable. 

Please be aware that by virtue of mode of operation and the equipment deployed, the Normand Pacific will at times be Restricted in their Ability to Manoeuvre as defined under COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 and shall be exhibiting the correct day shapes / lights for vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

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.

Mariners are advised of the following vessels operating at the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF).

An MBES survey of the HDD trenches out to KP 3 was recently performed. The survey indicates the spoil heaps from 2023 back hoe excavation works have largely naturally dispersed. One spoil heap remains with a maximum height above the seabed of < 0.2 m.

Fisheries clerance will remain in place and vessels are requested to leave a wide berth as identified for the nearshore exclusion boundary (HDD pits out to KP3) until further notice. 

The 2 Export Cables & 1 Fibre Optic Cable (all bundled) have been installed into the HDD ducts at Landfall (Marske by The Sea) with the exclusion zone coordinates for campaign 1 installation works detailed within the table above and relevant Notice to Mariners.  Fishing vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and remain outside of the exclusion area identified.

The following table highlights zonal areas where guard vessels are patrolling and guarding the campaign 1 export cable. 

Mariners are advised of the following vessels commencing operations at Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF).

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.

Mariners are advised that Partrac, on behalf of The Crown Estate, is planning scheduled servicing of the array of Metocean equipment deployed within three Project Development Areas (PDAs) located off the coast of Wales and Southwest England (Table 1, Figure 1 to Figure 3). The equipment (including three floating LiDAR buoys) was deployed between 09th and 10th May 2024. The equipment will remain deployed for a period of at least 9-months after the servicing is complete.

Partrac Plans to conduct service works on the following moorings:

• Site 1A: Subsurface, Wavebouy
• Site 3A Subsurface, Wavebouy, Floating LiDAR
• Site 4A Subsurface, Wavebouy

Work is expected to be completed from 4th September over a period of approximately 5 days, weather permitting using the Green Isle.

Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Ltd is required to complete Geotechnical site investigations to inform the design of the proposed offshore wind turbine foundations for the future Five Estuaries offshore windfarm.

The Kommandor Susan survey vessel shall be conducting geotechnical survey operations on a 24-hour basis. The work will consist of Geotechnical Survey ops within the boundaries of the offshore wind farm site.

We kindly ask that all vessels in the local vicinity observe a 500m safety zone. It is requested that anyone having knowledge of any potential objects submerged or moored on the seabed within the survey area that could be damaged or form a hazard to the survey vessel and its equipment advises the Fisheries Liaison Officer of their position and nature. Extent of the boundary and coordinates are detailed within the NtM attached. 

During the survey, the vessels will display the prescribed lights and signals for survey operations and will be monitoring VHF Channels 16.

The survey involves the drilling, sampling and coring of boreholes throughout the Array Area. 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 containing details of the positions of Fugro Synergy will be provided.

An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer (OFLO) will not be present on board the vessel during the survey but the project Fishing Industry Representative (FIR) and/or Company FLO (CLFO) can be contacted with any specific queries.

Mariners are advised of potential floating debris in the vicinity of the Dogger Bank A offshore wind farm array area. Any sightings of floating debris should be reported to the Duty Marine Coordinator.

The USVs will be mobilised from Scarborough or Hartlepool Harbour where each USV will be escorted out of the harbour limits,  before transiting to the survey area. Survey Operations will be continuous 24hrs a day. Although vessels are uncrewed, they are managed remotely continuously using 360 degree cameras and other sensors.

The works will commence on the 13th of August 2024, continuing until 31st December 2024 when all locations have been surveyed. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. A chart of the DBD Array Area and Export Cable Route corridor including bounding coordinates is provided below. 

It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m separation distance from the USVs and pass at reduced speed.

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.

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). 

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.

Scope of work includes the installation of armour rock onto the array cables at the Wind Turbine Generator foundations and Offshore Substation foundations. Also, rock will be installation at the 3rd party asset crossing locations and some cable route sections.

The rock installation will be by inclined fall pipe method.

The work will be performed by the Heimdal R

It is requested that mariners avoid activities which are likely to disturb the seabed within a 500m Radius of this location until the exposed export cable has been re-investigated. A further Notice to Mariners will be issued to confirm the course of action we will be taking to rectify this. Please note that the standard safety rules apply when fishing in or near wind farms and associated cables. All mariners are requested to make themselves aware of their obligations for conducting activities over buried and protected cables under International and UK Cable (Sub-sea) Protection Legislation. 

Mariners are reminded to navigate with caution and keep continued watch on VHF Ch. 12 / 16 when navigating the area. The Marine Coordination Centre will be responsible for monitoring and policing the Safety Zone and can be contacted directly for advice. Further information on the risks to fishing adjacent to subsea cables can be found in Weblinks: www.kis-orca.eu https://www.seafish.org/article/kingfisher-bulletin 

Spiorad na Mara Ltd deployed 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. An additional seabed mooring has been deployed on site. 

Partrac Ltd. is scheduled to inspect a metocean equipment seabed mooring within the Spiorad na Mara offshore wind farm site using the vessel Mar Fortune on 22nd July 2024. The Mar Fortune will also attempt to recover the original seabed mooring from the site and vessels are asked to keep a safe distance.

Equipment positions will be updated in a further notice after the operations have been completed. All vessels are requested to always maintain a safe distance (500 m) around the buoys.

Planned deployment within the Salamander Offshore Array Area consists of:

• 2x Fugro Sea-watch LiDAR Buoys (SWLB079 and SWLB086)
• 1x Fugro Wavescan Metocean Buoy (WS164) with a Nortek Signature 250 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the keel weight
• 1x echosounder

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:

• Buoys painted yellow in colour;
• Yellow St Andrews Cross;
• Passive radar reflector (Mobri S-4);
• AIS AtoN (with MMSI numbers: 992351428, 992351430, 992351429); and
• Marine lantern (with flash character Fl (5) Y 20s - 5 yellow flashes every 20 seconds) with a range of 4 nautical miles.

The Floating LiDAR buoy is tethered to the sea bed with a single mooring line. The Floating LiDAR buoy has light marking characteristics comprising FI (5) Y 20s with a nominal range of 5 nautical miles in addition to transmitting its locations via AIS.

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. 

All fishermen are strongly advised to avoid fishing in this area, giving a minimum clearance of 0.25 nautical miles from this abandoned fishing equipment, to avoid risk of further fouling and/or entanglement with the Hibernia/Exa cable and therefore possible endangerment to the vessel and its crew.

Please be advised that EOLOS has successfully relocated the Bellrock Floating LiDAR System buoy FLIDAR E25 on 24th February 2024. The new coordinates are shown in Table 1 in the attached.

The Bellrock FLIDAR E25 was initially deployed within the Bellorck Offshore Wind Farm site in April 2023, for acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data. A description of the device is presented in Section 2 in the attached.

The works completed on the 24th February 2024, with the Voe Earl vessel, consisted of recovering the Bellrock FLIDAR E25 device from its original location, and redeploying it at the new location (See Table 1 and Figure 1 in the attached).

The Bellrock FLS200 E25 will remain in the Bellrock Offshore Wind Farm site for an approximate period of 24 months (i.e. until April 2025).

Description of works:

• The vessel will be working through daylight hours only.

• Vessel-mounted and towed equipment may be in use for the purposes of geophysical survey of the seabed and subsurface.

• The survey vessel is likely to be steaming a pattern of regular parallel lines, and as such may make sudden unpredictable changes of course, including sudden changes of course onto reciprocal headings.

Mariners are advised to provide the survey vessel with ample clearance, ideally 1000m.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution and follow any additional instructions provided.

The vessel will maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 16

The survey office may be contacted via telephone on 01857-595-595

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.

Eolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 24 months.

The units deployed are:

• FLS200 E25 (deployed 09 Apr 2023); and
• FLS200 E26 (deployed 08 Apr 2023)

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:

• Buoy painted yellow in colour;
• Yellow St Andrews Cross;
• Radar reflector;
• AIS AtoN (with MMSI 992351405, corresponding to Broadshore FLIDAR E26); and
• Marine lantern (with flash character Fl (5) Y 20s - 5 yellow flashes every 20 seconds) with a range of 5 nautical miles.

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.

The works will commence on the 17th of April 2024, continuing until approximately Q3 2024. The works will be continuous 24 hours a day. A chart of the DBB construction area and the foundation locations are provided below. A running list of the next locations to be installed and mono-piled locations are presented in the Weekly Notice of Operations.

The installed monopiles will be 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 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.  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

The ‘Wind Orca’ vessel is expected to arrive on site circa 6th April 2024 to complete offshore Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) installation onto the pre-installed monopile and transition pieces on site.  The overall duration is expected to be approximately 6-9 months. The Wind Orca will be supported by the SOV (Service Offshore Vessel) ‘Norwind Breeze’ and two CTV’s (Crew Transfer Vessels) Fob Swath 3 & Fob Swath5.

Transmission system operator Elia is building the Princess Elisabeth Island in the Belgian part of the North Sea. This artificial energy island is an extension of the electricity grid in the North Sea. It connects the future wind farms of the Princess Elisabeth Zone with the Belgian coast and creates new connections with neighbouring countries.

The energy island is built centrally in the Princess Elisabeth wind zone, approximately 45 km from the Belgian coast. Construction of the island will take several years. To ensure safety during the works, the Belgian government defined an exclusion zone within which only work vessels are allowed. This zone is marked by 4 cardinal buoys (ELI-N, ELI-E, ELI-S and ELI-W).

More information about the Princess Elisabeth Island is available on the Elia website: www.elia.be/projects. 

As part of the works to install a new subsea power cable in Kilbrannan Sound between Carradale and Arran a subsea bell mouth structure was required. Three concrete mattresses were also installed immediately to the west of the bell mouth. Details are provided on the attached notice to mariners.

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.’