News

Export Cable Post Lay Burial and Seabed Rock Installation

The Grand Canyon 3 will complete post lay burial operations on section 1 (KP0 – KP91.5) and section 3 (KP175 – KP255) of the Dogger Bank C Export Cable in the Dogger Bank C Offshore Windfarm.

During operation, Grand Canyon 3 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 vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message.

The multicat vessel, Isle of Jura, will perform nearshore survey works on section 1 (KP0 – KP5) of the Dogger Bank C export cable route in the Southern North Sea. The nearshore survey will include acquisition of Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) data and use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) mounted TSS440. The work will mobilize 20 January 2025 until 03 February 2025. Work will be performed within the Export Cable (EC) route and will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

The South Cardinal Buoy at Dudgeon windfarm has been reported as having no illumination signals (lighting not in operation). Mariners should proceed with caution during hours of darkness. Rectification of the fault is being investigated and will look to be repaired as soon as possible.

A remedy plan is currently being worked on to support the reinstatement of the unlit buoys. Those are as follows;

***JUV now on last location, expected weather will allow work to be completed by 24.01.2025

**Due to poor weather the JUV is expected to be onsite until 20.01.2025

The Jack-Up vessel “ZITON WIND ENERGY” is expected to arrive at Dudgeon wind farm on 02nd December 2024. Four WTG locations are planned for major component changes.

The Jack-Up is expected to be onsite for a minimum 21 days, possible extension may be required subject to weather during the period. So far as is reasonably practicable, mariners should give the JUV a wide berth.

Vessel Details:

ZITON WIND ENERGY IMO: 9578256 MMSI: 219032199

Monopile foundation installation works

Installation vessels HLV Seaway Strashnov and Seaway Alfa Lift are planned to return to Dogger Bank B by Q2 2025 to complete the installation of the remaining monopiles and transition pieces when weather conditions will be expected to have improved

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.

The SOV Wind Evolution will assist with Asset Maintenance works.

During operations, the Wind Evolution 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.

Dogger Bank B IAC Cable Installation

The Cable Lay Vessel (CLV) Viking Neptun will perform the inter array cable installation works with the commencement around 5th of October 2024. 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. The Grampian Tees will conduct cable termination and testing works following cable lay and pull-in. The Trenching Support vessel (TSV) C-Installer will complete trenching and burial of the installed cables. All works will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

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, SUDRI ENABLER and GRAMPIAN TEES 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

DBB OSP Rock Armour installation

The fallpipe rock installation vessel Rollingstone will install rock armour at the DBB OSP 

The development of the windfarm is made up of several elements - current ongoing elements include:

Construction Support Activities

The Offshore Construction Support Vessels Edda Boreas, Grampian Derwent, Grampian Tyne IWS Skywalker and IWS Seawalker will carry out construction support activities within Dogger Bank A construction site.

The works will be performed in a single campaign, commencing on the 6th of November 2022 and continuing until approximately 30th September 2023. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) Installation

The Jack-up WTG Installation Vessel, Voltaire, will install wind turbine generators (WTG) within the Dogger Bank A construction area. the Voltaire has completed scheduled maintenance and has returned to WTG Installation operations.

The works commenced on the 18th of July 2023, continuing until approximately Q4 2024.  The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day.  A running list of the completed WTG installations and the next locations to be installed is presented in the Installation progress table in the WNoO.

The Subsea Viking continues supporting the Inter Array Cable Installation works via Survey, Cable Burial, Rock Bag Installation Works, as required.

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 Acta Orion and Acta Auriga continue to support Inter Array Cable works.

The SOV “Olympic Notos” is expected to commence operations on or around 31st January 2025 and will support the construction of the offshore windfarm on behalf of Van Oord Offshore Wind.

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

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

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

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

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.

The SOV “Olympic Notos” is expected to commence operations on or around 31st January 2025 and will support the construction of the offshore windfarm on behalf of Van Oord Offshore Wind.

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 restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

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

Echosounder and clump weight

A seabed mounted frame (1.6 x 1.6 m x 0.8 m, 350 kg) with echosounder inside was deployed in approx. 91 m water depth on 19th July 2024. The frame was connected with a ground line to a mooring weight/anchor (2,000 kg), which was attached to a standard spherical blue surface marker buoy with a riser to mark its position. The surface marker buoy was not visible at time of recovery operations so is thought to have broken free from the clump weight. 

Photos of the echosounder frame, clump weight and surface marker buoy are attached.

The frame was designed to be overtrawlable however the clump weight was not so could pose a snag hazard. 

FLiDAR 1 anchor

In April 2024, the FLiDAR buoy broke its mooring; the clump weight for this was made up of several ~1m long lengths of heavy chain bound together with a smaller chain (photo of similar set-up attached as an example). The buoy and mooring were recovered, and subsequent inspection onshore showed that the chain binding the links of heavy chain had come apart as the FLiDAR was dragged, leaving the heavy chain lengths on the seabed. These are expected to have sunk into the seabed sediment and/or have dispersed from original location. Consequently, these links of chain are not considered to pose a snag risk. 

Locations of these items are in table below but note that these are deployed locations and they could have moved/been dragged from these points. 

The geotechnical survey works will be conducted by the following 3 survey vessels.  “Connector”, “Geoquip Saentis”, and “Geoquip Seehorn” as well as one support vessel “GV Independent”, starting from 10th February 2025. The works are expected to last approximately 170 days, including weather downtime. The exact survey dates are subject to mobilisation time, weather and work progress.

Hornsea Four does not request any fishing gear to be cleared as the proposed activities intend to work around any fishing gear encountered. If gear is directly obstructing a sample location, Orsted may request gear relocation though this will be avoided where possible.

The contents of this notice are based upon our current understanding of Hornsea Four’s requirements

INCH CAPE OFFSHORE LIMITED - THE ENERGY ACT 2004 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR SAFETY ZONE SCHEME DURING CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE OF THE INCH CAPE OFFSHORE WIND FARM THE ELECTRICITY (OFFSHORE GENERATING STATIONS) (SAFETY ZONES) (APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND CONTROL OF ACCESS) REGULATIONS 2007 – STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 2007 NO 1948

Notice is hereby given that Inch Cape Offshore Limited (Company Number SC373173) having registered office at 5th Floor, 40 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2BY has applied to the Marine Directorate as set out in the Energy Act 2004 and the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Safety Zones) (Application Procedures and Control of Access) Regulations 2007 (SI No 2007/1948) for safety zones as follows, for the previously consented Offshore Renewable Energy Installation known as the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, during the construction and major maintenance phases. The following safety zones are being applied for:

• 500 metre (m) ‘rolling’ safety zones at each structure (Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) and Offshore Substation Platform (OSP)) and/or its substructures and foundations whenever construction is ongoing (as indicated by the presence of a construction vessel stationed at the structure); • 50m pre-commissioning safety zones at each partial or complete WTG / OSP and/or its substructures and foundations, where construction is not ongoing up until the point of commissioning of the wind farm, and • 500m safety zone around any WTG / OSP and/or its substructures where major maintenance is being undertaken during the operational phase (as indicated by the presence of a major maintenance vessel stationed at the structure, where “major maintenance” is as defined in the Electricity Regulations 2007 (SI No 2007/1948).

Further details are available in the safety zone application which is available for download direct from ICOL at www.inchcapewind.com, or alternatively from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate website at https://marine.gov.scot/ml/inch-cape-offshore-windfarm-revised-design

Alternatively, a request to receive a hard copy may be made in writing to info@inchcapewind.co.uk

Any person wishing to make representations on the application should do so in writing to the Scottish Ministers, c/o Marine Directorate – Licensing Operations Team, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB or MD.MarineRenewables@gov.scot stating the name of the proposal and nature of their representations, not later than 28 days from the date, or latest date of this notice.

Fair Processing Notice The Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team (“MD-LOT”) determine applications for marine licences under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the Marine and Coastal Act 2009 and section 36 consents under The Electricity Act 1989 (as amended). During the consultation process any person having an interest in the outcome of the application may make a representation to MD-LOT. The representation may contain personal information, for example a name or address. This representation will only be used for the purpose of determining an application and will be stored securely in the Scottish Government’s official corporate record. Representations will be shared with the applicant and/or agent acting on behalf of the applicant, any people or organisations that we consult in relation to the application, the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals should the Scottish Ministers call a PLI and, where necessary, be published online, however personal information will be removed before sharing or publishing. A full privacy notice can be found at: www.gov.scot/publications/marine-licensing-and-consenting-privacy-notice/

If you are unable to access this, or you have any queries or concerns about how your personal information will be handled, contact MD-LOT at: MD.MarineRenewables@gov.scot or Marine Directorate - Licensing Operations Team, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB.

The nearshore survey will include acquisition of Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) data and use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) mounted TSS440.

The work will mobilize 20 January 2025 until 03 February 2025. Work will be performed within the Export Cable (EC) route and will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Coordinates of the nearshore survey working area are provided within Table 1 and a chart of the works presented in Figure 1.

The extent of the planned nearshore survey is -/+15m along the route, however a wider working area (+/-450m either side of the route) is expected to account for turning radius. Coordinates and chart of the route are provided below.

It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum 1000m separation distance from the survey vessel and pass at reduced speed.

During operations Isle of Jura 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

The vessels will be limited in manoeuvrability therefore, vessels working in the area should proceed with caution and alert the vessel within 1NM from the cable ship during operations and all activity should remain clear 250m either side of the vessel, 500m corridor in total.

For a further breakdown of operations, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Post-lay burial operations will be undertaken throughout the full extent of the export cable, except for un-trenchable areas such as existing third-party crossing locations and inline joint location, or where ground conditions are unsuitable for trenching.

The work will mobilize 01 November 2024 until 28 February 2025. Work will be performed within the Export Cable (EC) route and will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

During post-lay burial operations, the construction working corridor will remain closed for any static fishing, anchoring or use of other equipment with seabed intervention. Grand Canyon III 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.

To protect the cable in the 500m working corridor, guard vessels will be deployed along the route (described in a separate NtM LF700013-ESI-DOG-NOT-0008). 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

On the 3rd of June 2023, Fugro deployed a Floating Seawatch LiDAR buoy within the Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm site for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data. The buoy is 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 buoy 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).

Any action taken to rectify the unlit navigation buoy will be communicated via future Notice to Mariners.

Buoy Maintenance to be carried out by the Vessel known as Green Isle Estimated start date of 18th January - pending further details

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.

UPDATE: The Mar Fortune will be mobilised on 17th January (weather permitting) to recover the mooring system. Further updates will be issued via a revised Notice to Mariners when available. 

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 25th February 2025 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.

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

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.

The work will commence on 12 November 2024 and continue until 7 January 2025. Work will be performed within the Export Cable (EC) route and will be continuous, 24 hours a day. 

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

Dates of survey to be confirmed.

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

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 currently operating at the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF) for this scope.

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 of the following vessels currently operating at the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (SOWF) for this scope.

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.

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.

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.

Export Cable Route Preparation Works

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 multicat vessel C-Force will operate out of Cullivoe marina, completeing works on site during daylight hours only (coordinates can be found below). Four temporary yellow mooring buoys will remain on site throughout the operations and will be marked clearly by flashing yellow lights. The yellow buoys may not always be visable during onsite operations. During operations the vessel will be restricted in the ability to maneuvre. It is requested that all vessels operating in the area pass to the east and keep speeds to a minimum.

The vessel will display the appropriate day marks, as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and/or lights for vessels having their ability to manoeuvre restricted. All vessels and buoys will comply with all aspects of COLREGS where applicable.

During the work period, underwater operations with an ROV, divers or other equipment may be conducted. The construction vessel will fly an Alpha flag during ROV or diving operations.

The vessel involved will be keeping continous listening watch on channel 16.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

See detailed map on our bulletin website

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.

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 installed monopiles are marked with temporary lighting with the following characteristics:

•           Flashing (Fl) Yellow (Y) 2.5 seconds (s)

•           IALA Availability Category 2 (not less than 99.0%)

•           360° visibility – up to two lights per structure may be used to achieve this

•           At least 2 nm range.

a Statutory Safety zone of 50m radius is in place around the installed monopiles.  The safety zones are 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

Perform a Service on the 12 Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Stations that had been deployed on the seabed in and at locations around the East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Area.

The Jenny-D is expected to mobilise for a day to relocate the Wave Rider buoy. The start date is dependant on weather however the works are estimated to start between the 6th of January 2025 to the 18th January 2025, not including weather contingency. The contents of this notice are based upon our current understanding of Hornsea Three’s requirements. Any amendents to the information contained within this notice will be communicated accordingly.

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.

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. 

The survey will consist of a Multibeam Echo Sounder (MBES) and Side Scan Sonar (SSS) of the following: ï‚· 95 WTG foundation locations (170m radius) ï‚· Offshore Converter Station (300m radius) The MBES is hull mounted and SSS is towed from the stern of the vessel 6.5 to 10m above the seabed.

Survey will consist of geophysical data collection from towed sensors operated by Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). Survey continuing through December and on through all of January 2025 when weather allows. Upto 2 vessels will be operational at any one time during this period. The USVs will be operating out of both Eyemouth Harbour.  A crewed Support Vessel will be based in this port at all times to assist the USVs in escorting in out of the harbour and 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.

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.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

Mariners are advised that all overwater geophysical surveys conducted by Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd (on behalf of SHEPD) contained in this document have been postponed until early 2025. Once commenced in January, the surveys in the West Highlands and Argyll marine areas are expected to last until the end of February. 

Given the different conditions and water depths anticipated at each site, a range of vessels will be available for the project. 

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.

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 be demobilised between January and March 2025. 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.

The cable lay vessel will deploy the cable trenching vehicle (trencher) over the surface laid inter array cable installed by VIKING NEPTUN. Additionally, the vessel will have its ROV in the water for further monitoring/survey works.

During operations, the LIVING STONE will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. 

It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 1.5Nm separation distance from the vessels and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.

HS1, HS3, HS4. Are all without navigational lights due to fault. Whilst navigational lighting is out of service, flood lights on the TP will remain on to ensure visibility.

HS1, HS2, HS3, HS4 & HS5 - all WTGs are without AIS connectivity. Fault due to be repaired 2025

Please be advised that Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking subsea inspections of several cables across the Clyde 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.

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.

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 6-months after the servicing is complete.

Partrac plans to conduct service works on the following moorings:

• PDA1, Site 1A: Floating LiDAR

Additional works maybe undertaken at the Metocean array at:

• PDA2, Site 3A
• PDA3, Site 4A

The maintenance is due to take place at PDA1, Site 1A: Floating LiDAR on Friday 13th December 2024, over an estimated period of 1 day, weather permitting, with Briggs Marine Vessel, Cameron, call sign MYEK6.

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 NR Jaguar is expected to commence a short seabed survey following Rock Dumping operations. Commencement date is approximate and dependant on weather. Work is expected to last around 12 Hours and will be performed using MBES around the following location:  53 27.04N x 000 53.38E

Mariners are requested to ensure a 500m exclusion zone is maintained whilst the Survey is taking place.

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.

A scheduled service from an assigned pool of Platform Supply Vessels 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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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).

Seabed preparatory works took place in spring and summer 2024. Further installation works will proceed from spring 2025. The exclusion area remains in force at all times. 

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

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

FAULT HAS BEEN RECTIFIED AND ALL NAV AIDS NOW FULLY FUNCTIONAL - 28.11.2024

Due to a unplanned outage a number of the perimeter NAV aids are currently not functioning. We hope to have this issue resolved within 48 hours, however care should be taken when navigating in this area.

Southern and eastern part of windfarm is affected.

K1, K5, K8, F8

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.’

7.1T CPT with 2 Beacons attached to the top. A CPT is a geotechnical piece of equipment which allows substrate profiling.  A cable and wire attached to top of CPT but are jubilee clipped together. Both cable and wire are laying together on the seabed (wire is 90m and umbilical cable is 50m). Approximately 90m away from the CPT is the end of the 22mm wire. At the end of the 22mm wire there is a rope (135m) with two orange buoys attached. Buoys are at the surface to mark location. Two UBSL beacons are on the CPT for underwater positioning. CPT Position: Lat 57° 31.95487 N, Long 006°39.70673 W. Position at the end of the 22mm wire: Lat 57° 31.99260 N, Long 006°39.65095 W. Position of marker buoys: Lat 57°32.04543 N, Long 006°39.57214 W. 

See detailed map on our bulletin website

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 

The Floating LiDAR buoy is tethered to the seabed 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 Bommelbas will temporarily remove the Floating LiDAR buoy for servicing. A temporary marker buoy will be deployed in its place whilst maintenance activities are being undertaken. The Floating LiDAR buoy will be redeployed at Site 1 (shown on the figure below) once maintenance activities are completed. A revision of this notice to mariners will be distributed providing confirmation of the redeployment coordinates for the Floating LiDAR buoy.

The Floating LiDAR buoy is tethered to the seabed 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 Floating LiDAR buoy was first deployed on April 28th 2023 and is expected to remain deployed and on position until April 28th 2025. A Notice to Mariners will be published in April 2025 providing information on decommissioning of the Floating LiDAR buoy.

Installation of scour protection by fallpipe vessel "Rockpiper" at the WTG and OFCS foundation locations within the offshore wind farm site, preventing removal of sediment around the base of structures once they have been installed.

During the period of scour protection installation works, vessels are advised to navigate with caution and are requested to keep a 500m safety distance from all offshore construction vessels.

Confirmed Unexploded Ordnance within the East Anglia Three CDM boundaries of the offshore windfarm array and export cable route.

Servicing of the equipment is scheduled to take place between the 4th - 7th of November 2024.

See detailed map on our bulletin website

See detailed map on our bulletin website

See detailed map on our bulletin website

See detailed map on our bulletin website

See detailed map on our bulletin website

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.