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Nearshore Survey - Cenos Offshore Wind Farm



Please be advised that a nearshore survey is due to be undertaken for the proposed CENOS Offshore Wind Farm project, starting 16th March 2024 for approximately 3 – 17 days depending on weather conditions. This survey aims to acquire additional data to support the ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment.


Please be advised that a nearshore survey is due to be undertaken for the proposed CENOS Offshore Wind Farm project, starting 16th March 2024 for approximately 3 – 17 days depending on weather conditions. This survey aims to acquire additional data to support the ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment.

The surveys will be undertaken from the support vessel ‘Seafast Don’.

The campaign will comprise: 1. Mapping the seabed (Multibeam Echo Sounder or MBES). a. This will be done with pole-mounted equipment to avoid any interaction with fishing gear or the seabed. The survey corridor is 150m wide and runs from landfall to 12nm (please see Figure 1 and Figure 2). 2. Identifying key habitats (Drop Down Video or DDV). a. Video surveys to be undertaken using a DDV to allow a live video feed to the vessel. This will ensure that any fishing gear can be located on scout runs before the survey begins and navigate around any obstacles if found. b. Survey will consist of transects between landfall and 12nm along the route shown on the chart, within a 500m corridor (please see Figure 1 and Figure 2).

The survey vessel will operate on a 12hr basis and display appropriate day shapes (mast head signals visually indicating the status of a vessel to other vessels on navigable waters during daylight hours) and lights at all times during operations.

Exact coordinates of survey locations can be provided via the Fisheries Liaison Officer. Please contact the Fisheries Liaison Officer if you feel the survey affects you and you have not been previously contacted.

A local Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard the survey vessel to provide advice to the survey contractors and facilitate liaison with the fishing industry. The contact details are provided in section 5.

Scouting will be undertaken each day before surveying begins on route to location, done at slack water, to identify fishing gear and locations. Surveys will not take place if fishing gear is present or if visibility is poor.

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Geophysical Survey - Stromar Offshore Wind Farm



Mariners are advised Stromar Offshore Wind Farm are continuing an offshore geophysical survey from the 02 April 2024 in the Moray Firth around 50 km offshore of Wick, Scotland. Survey completion for the wind farm Array Area and Export Cable Corridor survey works is anticipated by 10th May 2024,


The survey vessel Vos Gorgeous utilising hull-mounted and towed geophysical survey equipment which requires manoeuvring space.

The survey vessel will be deployed to locations within the survey area at times and positions determined by client requirements, weather and sea conditions.

 

Please refer to the attached Notice to Mariners for the further information. 

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Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) are planned out of Eyemouth and Arbroath



Operations of remotely piloted Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) are planned out of Eyemouth and Arbroath during January February and March 2024. The vessels will be engaged in geophysical survey activities associated in the North Sea 85km off the Angus coastline.


Dates: Operations will take place subject to weather and other operational factors from 16th October for 13 weeks. Up to 6 USVs are expected to be operational at one time.

A support vessel will escort the USVs from the active ports to clear water.

 

Although the vessel is uncrewed, it is crewed throughout the 24 hour operation, piloted remotely 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 USVs will transit from one of the named ports above 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.

 

Table 2: Vessel Details

Name

X-04 Uncrewed

X-08 Uncrewed

X-11 Uncrewed

X-16 Uncrewed

X-17 Uncrewed

X-19 Uncrewed

X-21 Uncrewed

X-22 Uncrewed

X-23 Uncrewed

MMSI

232023832

232027631

232033343

232039413

232039414

232039416

232042738

232044014

232044015

Length

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

4.5mm

Beam

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

2.2m

Speed

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

3.5knts

Draught

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m

Tonnage

750kg

750kg

750kg

750kg

750kg

750kg

750kg

750kg

750kg

Towed Equipment

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

 

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:

  • AIS
  • VHF
  • Navigation Lights & Sound Signal
  • Active Radar Reflector
  • 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:

Name (Role)

Telephone Number

Email Address

USV Supervisor (24/7)

+353 1 223 9950

usv.supervisor@xocean.com

Rhiannon Evans (Project Manager)

+44 7817 485935

Rhiannon.evans@xocean.com

Oliver Harris (Head of Projects)

+44 (0) 2080 982108

oliver.harris@xocean.com

Anthony O’Toole (Marine Superintendent)

+353 1 223 9957

Anthony.otoole@xocean.com

 

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Geotechnical Survey - Berwick Bank Wind Farm



Mariners are advised that SSE Renewables will be returning to Berwick Bank Wind Farm area to undertake further Geotechnical survey work. The survey will be within the proposed Berwick Bank Wind Farm site boundary. 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 guard vessel will also be contracted to work alongside each survey vessel. 


The survey work is being undertaken by Fugro and will be conducted from two vessels: the Scout and the Quest. The geotechnical survey is due to start on 27 October 2023. The scouting/guard vessel will be the Morning Dawn. 

 

Survey Duration  

The survey will mobilise 27 October 2023 lasting approximately 5 months. To account for all eventualities, we would like to extend the duration to 30 April 2024.  

 

Survey Tasks  

The survey will involve borehole sampling, using the Geobor-S coring system or similar, with the number and location of the boreholes yet to be finalised. 

 

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 500metres from the vessel(s). No towed equipment will be used.  

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Maintenance of Metocean Survey Equipment - MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm



A floating LiDAR buoy, surface metocean equipment buoys and seabed landers were deployed at two sites to assist with the development of MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm between 28th April–29th April 2023. Scheduled maintenance works on the metocean equipment will be undertaken by Fugro over a 7 day period from the 28th March, weather dependant from the Port of Kishorn. The Green Isle (Call Sign: 2IAV3) will be used to undertake the maintenance activities.


The surface metocean equipment buoys and seabed landers will be temporarily retrieved to the deck of the vessel to enable scheduled maintenance works to be completed. Equipment will then be redeployed as close to the initial deployment locations as possible. A revision of this notice to mariners will be distributed providing confirmation of the deployment coordinates following the maintenance works. The maintenance vessel will be stationary on site when undertaking the maintenance works.

 

The Floating LiDAR  buoy , Metocean Midi Buoy and Metocean Wavescan Buoy are all surface buoys, tethered to the sea bed with single mooring lines. The Seabed Lander is a frame anchored on the seabed, approximately 1.7 m diameter and 0.6 m high. 

 

The Floating LiDAR buoy, Metocean Midi Buoy and Metocean Wavescan Buoy have light marking characteristics comprising FI (5) Y 20s with a nominal range of 5 nautical miles.

 

Surface equipment at Site 1 and Site 2 are transmitting their locations via AIS.

 

Mariners are requested to maintain a distance of 500 metres from the deployed equipment and maintenance vessel

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Construction energy island - Princess Elisabeth Island in the Belgian part of the North Sea



Construction of the Princess Elisabeth Island. The exclusion zone around the construction site is marked by 4 cardinal buoys (ELI-N, ELI-E, ELI-S and ELI-W).


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. 

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Temporary Hazard - Sheringham Shoal Windfarm Export Cable Corridor



Potential that there are 2 separate lengths of export cable and ducting that have become exposed on the seabed ( Export cable route from Sheringham Shoal Windfarm - see locations in this notification for coordinates.). Potentially this may create an unguarded snagging hazard of approximately 20m for each of the cables/locations identified. A planned survey of the 2 areas is planned to commence on 8th April 2024. Further updates will be provided on completion of survey.


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Multibeam Bathymetric and side scan sonar survey - Walney 1 & 2 Export Cables



High-Resolution Multibeam Bathymetric and Side Scan Sonar survey of the Walney 1 & 2 Export Cables. Depending on weather and conditions Survey Operations are planned to commence shortly and can be expected to last for approx. 12 days. This survey will carried out by the 17meter catamaran ‘AMS PANTHER’ working on a 12hr daylight only basis from Fleetwood.


Survey is delayed due to continuing poor weather. Notice will be amended once conditions improve.

 

Attached is a Notice to Mariners issued by ULTRABEAM Ltd concerning a High-Resolution Multibeam Bathymetric and Side Scan Sonar survey of the Walney 1 & 2 Export Cables.

 

Depending on weather and conditions Survey Operations are planned to commence shortly and can be expected to last for approx. 12 days.

This survey will carried out by the 17meter catamaran ‘AMS PANTHER’ working on a 12hr daylight only basis from Fleetwood.

 

All MARINERS PLEASE NOTE that as these survey operations will consist of using high-resolution Multibeam Echo Sounders as well as the towing of Side Scan Sonar at lengths of up to 120m from the stern of the vessel, and along both Export Cables, a wide berth minimum 500 meters is requested whenever the vessel is on site and passing vessels are requested to reduce speed if possible.

 

A small chartlet showing the routes of the two Export Cables along the seabed, from the Sub-Station to the Landfall, as well as a picture of ‘AMS PANTHER’ is included with the NtM

 

In the lead up to and for the duration of this survey fishermen are requested and advised not to set any gear close to and along the whole length of the above-mentioned Export Cables and please re-locate any gear already in close proximity, if in doubt please contact: Tom Watson Mobile 07903 173 624

 

‘AMS PANTHER’ will keep a listening watch on VHF Channels 16 & 14 and can be contacted for information relating to vessel movements only.

PLEASE READ THE NOTICE

Page 1 : Shows a picture of ‘AMS PANTHER’

Page 2 ; Contents

Page 3 ; Project Summary along with small chartlet showing Export Cable Routes along with project information.

Pages 4 & 5 : Pictures and details of the Survey Vessel ‘AMS PANTHER’

 

Please note that the small chartlet on the attached NtM (Page 3) is provided for information purposes relating to this survey only and should not be used for navigation.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about any of the above or 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

 

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.

 

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 in any doubt please contact:

Tom Watson

Mobile 07903 173 624

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UXO Inspection - Hornsea Project Three



Mariners are advised that Orsted Hornsea Project Three (UK) Limited will be commencing a scope of UXO inspection works in Q2 2024. The surveys are being undertaken for the purposes of UXO investigations for the Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm project, located within the UK Sector of the North Sea.


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.

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Offshore Construction - Dogger Bank B Offshore Wind Farm



Offshore Construction of the Dogger Bank B Offshore Wind Farm commenced on the 21st of April 2023 with the installation of the OSP jacket foundation. This notice will be updated weekly, giving information on the progress and resources involved in the offshore project. The intention is to give an overview of activities and vessels involved. Should anyone have questions regarding the operations, we kindly ask you to put them forward well in advance.


There is currently no construction activity in the DBB site.  

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Metocean and Floating LiDAR Campaign extension - MarramWind Offshore Wind Farm



MarramWind Offshore Wind Farm Floating LiDAR (FLiDAR) Campaign will be extending a campaign to service FLiDAR Buoy WS198 between the 17th February and the 30th April. FLiDAR Buoy WS198 will remain mobilised until 30th September 2024. The Seawatch Midi Metocean buoy and FLiDAR Buoy SWLB56 were successfully demobilised on the 26th February 2024.


Mariners are advised that MarramWind Limited (a 50/50 Joint Venture company between ScottishPower Renewables UK Limited and Shell New Energies Holding Limited) will be conducting a service visit for the FLiDAR Buoy WS198 commencing from 17th February to the 30th April 2024 (depending on weather conditions).

 

Following servicing the FLiDAR Buoy WS198 will remain mobilised until the 30th September 2024.

 

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.

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Floating LiDAR Buoys - Campion Wind



CampionWind Offshore Wind Farm Floating LIDAR (FLiDAR) Campaign will be extending a campaign to service FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 between the 17th February and 30th April 2024. Following servicing the FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 will remain mobilised until the 30th September 2024.


Mariners are advised that CampionWind Limited (a 50/50 Joint Venture company between ScottishPower Renewables UK Limited and Shell New Energies Holding Limited) will be carrying out servicing activities on FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 between the 17th February and the 30th April 2024 (depending on weather conditions).

Following servicing the FLiDAR Buoy SWLB060 will remain mobilised until the 30th September 2024.

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.

 

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Dogger Bank C Export Cable Installation, Campaign 1



The cable laying vessel, NKT Victoria, will install the Dogger Bank C export cable in the Southern North Sea in three sections. In addition, concrete mattresses will be installed at the Langeled and SEAL pipeline crossings and the DBB power cable crossing.


The work will be performed in three Campaigns, with Campaign 1 covered by this NtM and starting approximately 09th April 2024 and continuing until approximately 29th April 2024. The work will be continuous, 24 hours a day. Coordinates and chart of the route are provided below. Campaign 1 will start with installation of concrete mattresses at the Langeled and SEAL pipeline crossings and DBB power cable crossing. The mattresses will be installed by NKT Victoria immediately prior to cable installation. A guard vessel will be placed at crossing locations as soon as the mattresses have been installed. Starting from KP91, cable lay vessel NKT Victoria will then simultaneously lay and burial the export cable in a seaward direction to approximately KP175. Cable will be surface laid at the start and end of this section as well as at the crossings and where seabed conditions are otherwise unsuitable for simultaneous lay and burial. The second and third campaigns will separately comprise cable installation between landfall at KP0 and KP91 (campaign 2), and then KP175 and the Dogger Bank C Wind Farm. These campaigns will take place in August 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. NOTICE TO MARINERS 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. To protect the cable in the 900m 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.

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Offshore Construction - Dogger Bank A Offshore Wind Farm



Offshore Construction of the Dogger Bank A Offshore Wind Farm commenced on the 18th of March 2022. The development of the windfarm is made up of several elements - current ongoing elements  are described below in the 'full notice' and in the attached file. This notice will be updated weekly, giving information on the progress and resources involved in the offshore project.


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

 

The Offshore installation vessel, HLV Seaway Strashnov has completed installation of all 95 monopile foundations, within the Dogger Bank A construction area.  

 

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 HLV Alfa Lift will continue TP installation in the Dogger Bank construction area.

 

Temporary lighting on 12 installed monopiles is currently inoperative (NtM LF500013-MIP-DOG-NOT-0026 NtM-DBA Monopiles unlit refers)

 

Construction Support Activities

 

The Offshore Construction Support Vessels, Edda Boreas, Norwind Breeze, Grampian Tees, Grampian Derwent, Grampian Tyne and Esvagt Froude 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.

 

IAC Installation and Post-lay Burial Operations

The Cable Lay Vessel (CLV), Viking Neptun, will perform the inter array cable installation works with the commencement around the 15th of March 2024. The works will continue over different campaigns until the 30th of June 2024. The vessel will further be assisted by the Walk to Work Vessel Esvagt Froude for the deployment of cable pull in teams. The works will be continuous, 24 hours of day.

 

The Multi-Purpose Offshore Vessel, Livingstone, is currently conducting Inter Array Cable Post-Lay Burial operations.

 

During operations, the Viking Neptun, Livingstone and Esvagt Froude, 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 vessels will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message.

 

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 is currently undergoing routine maintenance and is not on site until May 2024

 

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.

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Geophysical Survey - Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited



Mariners are advised that Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited (hereafter ‘Mooir Vannin’) will be commencing a scope of geophysical survey works in March 2024. The surveys are being undertaken for the purposes of geophysical investigation for the proposed Mooir Vannin Offshore Windfarm. They survey will be undertaken across the proposed Offshore Array area, Offshore Electrical Connection Corridor and surrounding area.


Please be advised that the operations, carried out by XOCEAN, are anticipated to mobilise from Whitehaven (UK) with investigations targeting the site during March 2024 and April 202., There is potential to overrun into May depending on weather and work progress. 

 

The survey will be undertaken by up to 6 Uncrewed Survey Vessels. Of these, two will be towing survey equipment and so will have reduced manoeuvrability whilst on site. Note that because of this it is requested that all vessels operating near the survey vessels maintain a safe distance.

 

Survey works will be undertaken 24/7 and the vessels will each be lit to allow night time operation. Each vessel is lit with one all around light and port/starboard lights.

 

A support vessel, Gallows Point,  will attend the site as required to support the vessels but will not remain on site full time.

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Offshore Geophysical Survey Operations - Eastern Green Link 2



The geophysical marine survey activities for EGL 2 are planned to recommence on 5 April 2024 , starting offshore in English waters before working south towards Bridlington in May following the route shown in Figure 1. It is proposed that the survey activities will then return to Scottish waters working south from Peterhead, Scotland at the end of May. The survey is due to be completed by the end of June 2024, subject to weather.


Mariners are advised about Marine Survey Works for the Eastern Green Link 2 Project.

 

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc and National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc are delivering the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL 2) Project.

The EGL 2 project will play a vital role in achieving the UK and Scottish Government’s net zero targets and significantly increase the UK’s capacity for clean, green renewable power.

 

The survey works for EGL 2 precedes the installation of an electricity transmission link from the East coast of Scotland (Sandford Bay, Peterhead) to the East coast of England (South of Bridlington/ Flamborough Head) due to be completed in 2029.

 

The EGL 2 marine survey works are being carried out by GeoXYZ with the survey vessel ‘Geo Ocean III’ and support vessel ‘GV Fortuna’.

 

The area of work, pertaining to this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is illustrated in Figure 1 and Table 1, with the survey and support vessel contact details found in Tables 2 and 3. Contact details for the project’s Fisheries Liaison Officers are detailed below.

 

The marine survey activities for EGL 2 are planned to recommence on 5 April 2024 , starting offshore in English waters before working south towards Bridlington in May following the route shown in Figure 1. It is proposed that the survey activities will then return to Scottish waters working south from Peterhead, Scotland at the end of May. The survey is due to be completed by the end of June 2024, subject to weather. 

 

The works consist of a detailed geophysical survey for the purposes of identifying potential unexploded ordnance. There are no intrusive works planned nor will there be any unexploded ordnance investigation or detonation works. The vessel will be towing equipment close to the seabed and will have restricted manoeuvrability.

 

All vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance, approximately 500 metres where possible (COLREGs Rule 16 & 18) from the areas identified during marine survey operations. The survey vessel will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre and shall deploy towed sensors during geophysical survey operations only. The survey vessels will monitor VHF Channel 16 at all times. Mobile contacts for the vessels are listed at the end of this NtM.

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Exclusion Zone established at H05 - Moray East Offshore Wind Farm



Please be advised that Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (Moray East) has established an exclusion zone of 500m around WTG (Wind Turbine Generator) H05. This is due to a section of fibreglass lifting on the roof of the Nacelle, which has the potential to become a dropped object.


Please be advised that Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (Moray East) has established an exclusion zone of 500m around WTG (Wind Turbine Generator) H05. This is due to a section of fibreglass lifting on the roof of the Nacelle, which has the potential to become a dropped object.

 

General Safety Advice

Advise all vessels to exercise caution when at or near the area of H05 ensuring a safe passing distance, extreme vigilance in case the fibreglass roof is dislodged and becomes a danger to navigation. Moray East Marine Coordination Centre will be monitoring the Moray East Wind Farm via AIS. If any further information is required, please contact via the details below.

 

Contact details

The following contact can provide more information if required. Please note that specific queries can also be addressed to the relevant vessel or shore-based representative.

CONTACT DETAILS

Marine Coordination Centre 24/7

Email mcc@morayeast.com

Richard Mutch – Lead Marine Coordinator Email richard.mutch@oceanwinds.com

Tel : +44 07884630427

For fisheries related matters

Alex Winrow-Giffin – Brown and May Marine Ltd. Email: alex@brownmay.com

Tel : +44 1379 872148 / +44 7760 160039

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Met Mast Special Mark light repair - Moray Offshore Windfarm (East)



Please be advised that Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (Moray East) will undergo repairs to reinstate the light at the special mark buoy around the remaining subsea structure at the meteorological mast (Met Mast) (See Figure 1 & Table 1) at the earliest opportunity. Due to weather and other restrictions, the works are still to be carried out and the Met Mast buoy is currently unlit. The next opportunity for Moray East to complete the repairs is now May 2024.


Please be advised that Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (Moray East) will undergo repairs to reinstate the light at the special mark buoy around the remaining subsea structure at the meteorological mast (Met Mast) (See Figure 1 & Table 1) at the earliest opportunity. Due to weather and other restrictions, the works are still to be carried out and the Met Mast buoy is currently unlit. The next opportunity for Moray East to complete the repairs is now May 2024. Another notification will be disseminated in due course once more precise dates and the vessel involved are confirmed.

 

Please be aware that while navigating the area to keep an extra look out for the unlit Met Mast Special marker buoy during the hours of darkness and reduced visibility, until such a time as the buoy is repaired. Please also note that the Met Mast is currently marked by a virtual AtoN.

 

Please be aware that, during the survey activities, by virtue of its mode of operation the 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 Vessel, their crew, and their ability to undertake its contracted works, fishermen who have static fishing gears deployed within 500 m from the Met Mast location (see Table 1 and Figure 1) are requested to provide the coordinates of such deployed gears in DMS and details of whether the surface markers used are visible at all states of visibility to Alex Winrow-Griffin (Brown & May Marine) using the contact information below (Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995). Fishermen who have static gears deployed beyond 12 nm are reminded that static gear must be marked in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011

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Construction of Wind Farm - Triton Knoll



Activities related to the development of the Triton Knoll wind farm continue, as detailed below. For background information visit: http://www.tritonknoll.co.uk. Mariners are advised that the asset installation phase of the Triton Knoll OWF is now complete.


Mariners are advised that the following vessels are expected to commence operations at the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm (TKOWF) as outlined within recently issued NtM's

 

Vessel Name

Type

Call Sign

MMSI

IMO

Operating Port

Commence Date

CRC Vulcan Support Vessel 2EAH2 235083437 - Grimsby

22/03/2024 -

28/03/2024

Lieutenant P Support Vessel 2HEO6 235103032 - Grimsby 04/04/2024

 

The CRC Vulcan will only be operating for a period of 1 – 2 days maximum over the period 22 – 28 March, weather dependant. Seabed surveys will be conducted around the following locations, to an extent of 300m around each asset:

53° 26.15' N x 000° 51.29' E

53° 31.87' N x 000° 48.13' E

 

The Lieutenant P will be conducting Drone Inspections for approx 4 weeks, weather dependant, across the whole Wind farm.

 

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:

Vessel Name

Type

Call Sign

MMSI

IMO

Operating Port

Commence Date

Windcat 11 Crew Transfer Vessel 2BIS9 235066459 N/A Grimsby 14/12/2020
Esvagt Havelok Service Operations Vessel OYFR2 219026496 9878981 Grimsby 25/09/2021
Njord Thor Crew Transfer Vessel 2ICE2 235108495 9751810 Grimsby 02/03/2024

 

All vessels can be contacted via VHF channel 16 when operational in field.

 

*** Note ***

 

All 90 WTG's have now been fully installed, whilst WTG commissioning and service continues.

All Export Cables are fully installed/buried and need to be deemed live/energised.

All Inter Array Cables are fully installed and buried and need to be deemed live/energised.

Whilst the main installation works have been completed, major construction commissioning works are continuing.

 

*** Note ***

 

Whilst TKOWFL is reopening the site to fishing from the 14th December 2021, TKOWFL kindly request that all fishermen intending to fish within the boundaries of the Triton Knoll wind farm, contact the Triton Knoll control room prior to entering and exiting the field, and inform them of their fishing intentions.

 

This precaution is requested to safeguard all vessels operational at the TKOWF site (including fishing vessels) and your cooperation, to ensure the safety of all parties is appreciated. The following contact details should be used when notifying the Triton Knoll control room of fishing activity:

 

Control Room Manager: Derek Whyte

Radio: VHF channel 16

Callsign: TK MCC

Phone: +44 1793 896250

Email: tkcr@rwe.com

 

*** Note ***

 

Application of Triton Knoll Wind Farm Safety Zones During Construction

The Secretary of State has granted the Application of Safety Zones on the Triton Knoll Wind Farm Project as follows:

  • 500m “rolling” safety zones around any structure where construction is being undertaken (as indicated by the presence of construction vessels).
  • 50m pre-commissioning safety zones surrounding partial structures or completed structures prior to commissioning.

Mariners are advised that all foundations monopiles have been installed and all inter-array and export cables have been installed.

 

Navigation Warning - 08th January 2021

 

Mariners are advised that the remnants of a Wave Rider Buoy sinker weight and partial rigging are located within the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Construction site at the following location;

 

53° 30.442N 000° 50.564E

 

It is advised that the partial rigging could potentially be floating up to 9.7m above the seabed, reducing the navigable safe water in the immediate area to 10m LAT.  Mariners are advised to avoid the indicated position by 250 metres.

 

Possible Dangers to Navigation - Properties of the polypropylene show that the rope is buoyant, this makes the line sensitive for thruster currents. Taking the site water depth into consideration (19.7m LAT) and the maximum expected height above seabed of the rope 9.7m the line is expected to be floating submerged at approximately -10m LAT. In addition, it is noted that over time sediments will be trapped between the fibres and the heavier rope may finally sink. The polypropylene rope may impose a risk to foul propellers / propulsion of vessels due to the buoyant nature of the rope. As the rope is submerged at a depth of ~-10m LAT the risk is considered minimum for vessels with a shallow draught (<5m) and medium for a vessel with a deeper draught (>5m). Over time sediments will be trapped between the fibres and the heavier rope may finally sink thereby reducing the risk to propellers/propulsion of vessels. The clump weight itself (chain) is expected to have sunk into the seabed and has no significant height above seabed. In addition, the edges of the clump weight are mostly rounded (chain), the risk the clump weigh imposes to fishing activities/gear is therefore considered to be minimal.

 

Navigation Warning - 16th March 2021

 

Mariners are advised that two UXO targets have been confirmed within the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Array.

 

Mariners are advised that the two confirmed targets are located within 20 metres water depth (LAT) and a 10 metre radius exclusion zone is required around each target.  The following table provides the coordinates and a description for each target.

 

 

 

Description of Target Latitude Longitude

Water Depth

(LAT) Metres

Required Exclusion

Zone (Metres Radius)

Archaeological - The item is thought to be an air-delivered bomb.  It appears to be in a stable condition and is resting on the seabed.  Marine growth and concretion cover the body, indicating it has been in situ for a significant duration. The tail section of the bomb is missing, which is typical of unexploded bombs from WWII found in these circumstances and there is a significant hole in the case. The dimensions and characteristics gathered are consistent with a 500kg German bomb. Considering the state of the bomb the Net Explosive Quantity of the bomb is likely to be <5kg. 53°31'50.249"N 00°47'45.908"E 20 10
Archaeological - The item is thought to be an air-delivered bomb.  It appears to be in a stable condition and is resting on the seabed.  Marine growth and concretion cover the body, indicating it has been in situ for a significant duration. The tail section of the bomb is missing, which is typical of unexploded bombs from WWII found in these circumstances and there is a significant hole in the case. The dimensions and characteristics gathered are consistent with a 500kg German bomb. Considering the state of the bomb the Net Explosive Quantity of the bomb is likely to be <5kg. 53°31'49.895"N 00°47'45.115"E 20

10

 

Mariners are advised that the following works are planned in and around Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm in 2024:

• Subsea Surveys – Approx dates between May/June 2024 for 30 days, weather permitting. Multi-beam Echo Sounder and Towed Side Scan Sonar will be used.  Further information is deatiled within the attached Notice to Mariners (TK 002:2024).

 

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Navigation Warning Off Station Cardinal Buoy - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



Mariners are advised that the an East Cardinal Buoy (E4) marking the perimiter of the Sofia OWF array was reported off station and has since been recovered.


It is expected that the mooring remains in position at the as built location. All components are expected to be on the seabed, however please avoid the area by 100m until further notice.  Water depth at this location is 27m LAT.

 

Further details are detailed below.

 

Buoy ID Latitude Longitude Characteristics
East Cardinal E4 54° 55.08’ N 002° 26.63’ E
  • Pillar shaped with an east cardinal shaped top mark
  • Exhibiting a V Q (3) 5s light character

 

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Array Boulder Clearance and Pre-trenching Works - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



All Mariners are advised that that the ASSO Subsea vessel “TSV Aethra” continues with boulder clearance and pre-trenching works within the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Array. The TSV Aethra departed for dry dock on the 18th March 2024 and will return circa 14th April 2024.


The works are scheduled to be deployed during four visits to site (from Port of Blyth). Vessels are requested to leave a wide berth during the installation operations of at least 0.5 Nm.

 

The length of the boulder clearance and pre-trenching 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.

 

The table above provides the coordinates of the total working area of the boulder clearance and pre-trenching works at the SOWF array. 

 

The TSV Aethra shall be monitoring VHF 77 during the scope of the works and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes and night lights for a vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

 

**Note: In the exclusion zone, temporary reduction by approx. 1 meter in navigable depth might be created from the pre-plough spoil heaps.

 

Vessel Name Vessel Type Length Beam Draft Gross Tonnage Call Sign MMSI Number
TSV Aethra Boulder Clearance and Pre-Trenching Vessel 94.10m 22m 7.1m 7,082 SVDM6 241831000
Enterprise II Guard / Scout Vessel 26.00m 9.2m 4.7m 421 MPFN7 232006130

 

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Post-Lay Cable Burial Works - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



All Mariners are advised that the Normand Pacific continues with post-lay cable burial works on the Sofia Export Cable. The exact finish dates will be dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress. The Normand Pacific is expected to depart the project circa. 24th March 2024 until further notice.


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 above.  Guard vessels will remain be onsite 24 hours per day to monitor the export cable until approximately the end of Q2 - 2024.

 

Exclusion zone coordinates for the 2023 to 2024vpost-lay burial works are identified within the table above and remain the same for those during cable lay works as outlined in NtM 11 (rev 02).

 

The coordinates of the guard vessel locations for the post-lay burial works for Campaign 1 are detailed within the table above and attached NtM.

 

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).

 

Vessel Name Vessel Type Length (m) Beam (m) Draft (m) Gross Tonnage (T) Call Sign MMSI Number
Normand Pacific Post-Lay Cable Burial Vessel 122 23 7.0 9778T LAXI7 257743000
Sancta Maria Guard Vessel 20.37 6 3.03 106 2FOV7 235093015
Inge Guard Vessel 29.7 6.2 3.1 192 YJSN5 577097000
Jason II Guard Vessel 26.02 6.01 3.21 127 MJFY4 232036020
Dolfijn Guard Vessel 27 6.2 3.1 99 YJQL8 576697000
Mary Ann Guard Vessel 32.7 7 3.6 53 YJTV2 577256000
Venus II Guard Vessel 24 7.4 3.15 145 HP9337 370046000
Walvis Guard Vessel 27 6.4 3.32 108 YJQG3 576448000
Flamingo Guard Vessel 31 7 3.5 159 YJVW2 576259000
Haulbowline Guard Vessel 22.3 7 2.7 88 MEZW9 232021354
Star of Hope Guard Vessel 23.9 7.2 3.4 101 MKDN2 232038483
Karima Guard Vessel 26.10 6.0 4.0 88 MPKV5 232006310
Enterprise II Guard / Scout Vessel 26 9.2 4.7 421 MPFN7 232006130
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Benthic Survey - Thistle Wind Partners proposed (NE2) Offshore Wind Farm



Please be advised that Ocean Ecology Ltd (OEL), on behalf of Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), is undertaking a benthic survey of the proposed Ayre (NE2) Offshore Wind Farm array area and export cable corridor. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is to outline the working area for the survey vessel, as well as the scope of work. The survey will utilise the vessel DSV Curtis Marshall.


Ocean Ecology Ltd (OEL) will be undertaking a benthic characterisation survey inclusive of a drop-down camera assessment, seabed grabs and water sampling. The survey operations do not involve towed survey equipment. The works will be completed by personnel from OEL onboard the vessel DSV Curtis Marshall. Works will be carried out on a continuous basis, 24-hours per day, seven days a week.

The vessel will be restricted in their ability to maneuver and will display the appropriate lights and shapes prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Other vessels are requested to provide a minimum clearance of 500 m from the survey vessel during marine operations and pass at a safe speed. Regular security messages will be issued on VHF Channel 16 and this Channel will be always monitored by the vessel. The vessel will also transmit regular Automatic Identification System (AIS) messages.

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FLS2 Redeployment - West of Orkney Windfarm



*UPDATE* All equipment has now bee removed and returned to shore. There is no residual footprint in at these locations


A vessel will be conducting a recovery visit within the N1 PO (see Figure 1) over approximately three days to the below locations:

  • FLS1 - Floating Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Systems (FLS)
  • FLS2 - Floating Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Systems (FLS), residual mooring

Coordinates of all the deployed metocean equipment locations are provided in Appendix A1 of the attached notice.

Mariners are advised to keep a safety clearance of the vessel and metocean equipment of no less than 500m.

 

All previously deployed equipment and moorings associated with SBM 1 and WBS1 (including previously left mooring anchor) have now been removed to shore (Stromness).

 

Onshore FLO: phone: +44 (0) 7926 418 820, email: OWPLFisheries@xodusgroup.com;

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Geophysical and Geotechnical Surveys - Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm



Please be advised that a geotechnical and unexploded ordnance identification survey (geophysical) is due to be undertaken for the proposed Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm. The geophysical and geotechnical survey will be undertaken across the windfarm site, and a section of the export cable route, to provide an overview of ground conditions near surface and at depth across the site. The survey will start on 1st April 2024 at the earliest, for approximately 17 weeks depending on weather conditions


The scope of work involves a UXO survey at intrusive test sites to reduce the risk of encountering UXO during the geotechnical investigations.

 

The scope of works for the Generation Assets includes deep geotechnical investigations:

• 35 Piezocone Penetration Test (PCPT) and 18 collocated sampling Boreholes at the potential WTG locations up to 50-60m depth

 

Shallow geotechnical investigation will include the following:

• Up to 24 vibrocores and CPTs to 5m depth below the seabed along the potential inter-array cable (IAC) route.

• 11 vibrocores and CPTs to 5m depth below the seabed along the ECRC

 

Survey operations will be conducted by the following vessels:

• Ocean Observer – Offshore UXO and Shallow Geotechnical survey • Titan Discovery – Nearshore UXO survey

• Forth Warrior – Nearshore Shallow Geotechnical survey

• Ocean Vantage – Offshore Deep Geotechnical survey

• Horizon Geodiscovery – Offshore Deep Geotechnical survey Vessel details are provided in section 4.

 

The offshore vessels; Ocean Observer, Ocean Vantage and Horizon Geodiscovery will operate on a 24hr basis while the nearshore vessels Titan Discovery and Forth Warrior will operate on a 12hr basis. All vessels will display appropriate day shapes (mast head signals visually indicating the status of a vessel to other vessels on navigable waters during daylight hours) and lights at all times during operations.

 

Exact coordinates of survey locations can be provided via the Fisheries Liaison Officer. Please contact the Fisheries Liaison Officer if you feel the survey affects you and you have not been previously contacted.

 

An Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer will be onboard the Ocean Observer for the UXO and shallow geotechnical element, and the Horizon Geodiscovery or the Ocean Vantage for the deep geotechnical element to provide advice to the survey contractors and facilitate liaison with the fishing industry.

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Calibration Test - Thistle Wind Partners proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm



Please be advised Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), will be undertaking a Geophysical survey of the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm export cable corridor in the comings weeks. Prior to the survey being undertaken the survey vessel will be required to undertake calibration tests of its survey equipment. The purpose of this notice is to outline the working area required for the survey vessel to undertake the calibration. The pre-survey calibration test will utilise the MV Ondine Jule.


Ondine will be conducting pre survey calibration tests. During the tests the Ondine Jule will be deposit calibration equipment on the seabed prior to carrying out test survey lines over the top of the in-site calibration equipment, operating at approximately 4 knots with equipment being towed at a distance of up to 300 m astern of the vessel. The vessels calibration will take up to 48hrs to complete, however, additional time has been acknowledged to accommodate weather and operational delays.

 

The vessel will be restricted in their ability to maneuver and will display the appropriate lights and shapes. Other vessels are requested to provide a minimum clearance of 500m from the survey vessel during marine operations, and pass at a safe speed. The survey vessels will monitor VHF Channel 16 at all times.

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Geotechnical Survey Campaign - Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm



Horizon Geobay conducting a Geotechnical survey within the Caledonia OWF area - boreholes, CPTs, P-S Logging


Scope Overview: The purpose of the Detail Design investigation is to collect data at the Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) location and to identify local stratigraphy and geological units. The aim of the surveys is to acquire high quality data to inform the Company of the seabed and underlying ground and environmental conditions and in particular to identify the presence or otherwise of any geohazards and risks to the project.

 

2024 Campaign:

3 x  CPT/oversampling boreholes with PQ3 Coring from Bedrock locations

4 x  CPT Sampling boreholes

1 x  Seismic CPT including PS Logging

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Subsea Cable Installation - 2Africa Project



Vessel Ile De Batz - IMO 9247041 will perform the installation of the 2Africa cable within the waters of the United Kingdom. Ile De Batz will be landing 236km in UK Waters from BMH Widemouth Bay.


Operation: The C/S Ile de Batz will enter into Territorial Waters (TW) and Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) for shore end Landing, surface lay and burried section installation.  As the area is deemed low risk for cable damage, the cable and associated cable equipment (repeaters) are laid on the surface of the seabed. The cable is simply deployed off the stern of the vessel.  Max speed during surface lay is 7 kt. Dedicated software allows paying out the proper length of cable in order the cable closely follows the bottom contour.

 

Continuous  video & sonar monitoring of the plough operation from the vessel allows the plough to avoid hazards or features of interest, whether these are pre-identified or unexpected. The cable laying vessel will comply with any requirements from local authorities, during installation operations; she will be linked to the bottom by the cable and will have poor manoeuvrability capacities.  She will signal that she has restricted ability to manoeuvre with shapes and/or lights as required by international regulations.  All vessels are requested to keep a clear distance from the cable laying vessel of at least ½ Nautical Mile. The cable laying vessel will broadcast regular safety messages giving current position and activity, and will notify the relevant authorities of the same. 

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Galloper Wind Farm - Turbine Paint Repair Campaign (O&M 01-2024)



Please be advised Galloper Windfarm will be carrying out a paint repair campaign, using the site service CTV "Seacat Liberty". The vessel will be operating in the daytime only.


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Western HVDC Link: Offshore survey work (April-May 2024)



Mariners are advised that survey work is due to be carried out along the Western HVDC Link cable route by the vessel MV Ivero. The work is due to start in April and to be completed in May.


The survey will extend along the full 390km length of the WHVDC cable route, from Hunterston in the Firth of Clyde, through the North Channel, to the west and south of the Isle of Man and then towards the Wirral coast.  The location of the survey work is illustrated in a map in the Notice to Mariners.

 

During the survey the vessel MV Ivero will carry out a detailed geophysical inspection survey using a multi aperture sonar data acquisition.  The vessel will be mapping a series of parallel lines along sections of the route using this equipment.  Marine mammal observations and passive acoustic monitoring will be recorded during these operations.

 

Survey Route & Timing

The survey will begin at a depth of approximately 20m below CD at each end of the cable, abutting the shallow water surveys that were completed in August 2023.  The survey will take place within a working area of +/-100m from the published route.

 

The operations are due to begin as early as the 15th of April 20242 and could extend until the 15th of May 2024.  These dates are subject to weather and sea conditions over this period.

 

Vessel details

The MV Ivero is a 34m survey vessel.  It has a blue hull and a white superstructure.  Information about the vessel, including its current location, can be found at the Marine Traffic website using the link below:-

  • MV Ivero: Survey vessel | Call sign MCJO3

The survey vessel will operate on a 24 hour basis.  Possible ports of call include Troon, Campbeltown and Liverpool.

 

The MV Ivero will be towing equipment approximately 1000m from its stern.  Fishing vessels operating in the area are asked to deploy static fishing gear in a manner that will minimise the risk of entanglement during the survey period.

 

The vessel involved in this work may be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre and other vessels are reminded to pass at a safe speed and maintain a wide berth of at least 0.5 nautical miles distance.

 

Vessels operating in the area are asked to contact MV Ivero on VHF Channel 16 to obtain information on planned activity and to allow coactivity and cooperation.

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Hornsea Three - Notification of Geophysical Survey Commencement



Mariners are advised that Orsted Hornsea Project Three (UK) Limited will be commencing a scope of geophysical survey works in Q2 2023. The surveys are being undertaken for the purposes of geophysical investigations for the Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm project, located within the UK Sector of the North Sea.


Proposed survey activity:

Two survey vessels will be used for the survey, the Geo Ocean IV and the Geo Ocean VI. The work will start with mobilisation in Eemshaven, Netherlands on the 3rd of April 2024 and survey works will begin shortly after. The works will last approximately until the end of September 2024, 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 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.

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Metocean Survey - Salamander Offshore Wind Farm



FLiDAR 2 buoy SWLB086 successfully recovered and attached to mooring of FLiDAR 1 buoy SWLB079. FLiDAR 1 buoy is currently ashore for repair. The old mooring for FLiDAR 2 buoy is not visible from sea surface so the clump weight anchor is assumed to be on seabed as per coordinates in attached NtM report; it could present a snagging hazard. There is a technical issue with the AIS of metocean buoy WS164 which is not transmitting. Repair attempt planned during redeployment of FLiDAR 1 (w/c 18 Mar).


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.

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.
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Route Clearance & Pre-Lay Grapnel Run - 2 Africa Cable Project - Bude



Vessel 'Cable Vigilance' will carry out Route Clearance & Pre-Lay Grapnel Run ahead of the next phase of 2Africa Project. Vessel speed for RC / PLGR is approx. 17km / day. Vessel will be towing grapnel therefore will have limited manoeuvrability.


Vessel - Cable Vigilance IMO - 9329930  

Operations: Route Clearance Operations will be conducted to the laying and buria operations. This operation is to ensure that as far as practically possible, the burial operation will not be interrupted.  RC will be performed at specific locations, in areas with planned burial where old Out-of- Service (OOS) cables are known to cross the cable route. The vessel will remove a suitable section of this old cable to ensure safe ploughing. The cable ends of any cut out-of-service cables will be laid onto the seabed and weighted, in accordance with ICPC recommendations. PLGR is required in planned burial areas prior to cable installation (approx 221km). The PLGR operation will be to industry standards employing towed grapnels; the type of grapnel being determined by the nature of the seabed. This process will remove all debris on the seabed surface (e.g. old fishing net, rope/wire, anchor chain) that may obstruct the ploughing process. Sea bed debris can damage cable and burial equipment. The PLGR vessel will operate as close to shore as possible. Divers will remove debris near shore or adjust the cable route if debris cannot be removed. Any debris recovered during these operations will be discharged ashore on completion of the operations and disposed of in accordance with local regulations. RC and/or PLGR operations can be performed by the cable ship or by a vessel of opportunity specifically fitted with winches and grapnels. The vessel will be equipped with navigation and positioning system to the same specification as the main lay vessel.

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Dropped Object - BB17 - Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm



There has been a dropped object from turbine BB17 at the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm. Mariners are requested to maintain a distance of 500m from the turbine at all times and until further notice.


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Subsea Cable Bell Mouth and Concrete Mattresses - Kilbrannan Sound



Mariners should be aware of the presence of subsea structures to the north of Port Crannaich where the Carradale to Arran subsea power cable enters a directionally drilled duct by means of a bell mouth.


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.

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Asset Preservation Campaign - Dogger Bank A Offshore Wind Farm



The Offshore Supply Vessel, VOS Start, will carry out Asset Preservation operations within Dogger Bank A construction site. The works will be performed in a single campaign, commencing on the 6th of November 2022 and continuing until approximately 5th January 2024. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day. The operations will include visual inspections and maintenance at installed wind turbine foundation locations.


During operations, the VOS Start will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights. The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 500m separation distance from the Offshore Supply Vessel and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working area.

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Export Cable Guard Vessel Deployment - Dogger Bank C Export Cable Route



Installation of the Dogger Bank C Offshore Windfarm Export Cable will commence on the 19th of March 2024. Guard vessels will be deployed to protect the cable bundle from the start of cable lay until the cable is adequately protected by means of trenching or rock placement.


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.

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IAC Post-Lay Burial Operations - Dogger Bank A Offshore Wind Farm



The Cable Lay Vessel (CLV) VIKING NEPTUN will perform the inter array cable installation works with the commencement around the 15th of March 2024. The works will continue over different campaigns until the 30th of June 2024. The vessel will further be assisted by the Walk to Work Vessel ESVAGT FROUDE for the deployment of cable pull in teams


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 separate spread are performed.

 

During operations, the VIKING NEPTUN and ESVAGT FROUDE 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.

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Pre-Lay Grapnel Run and Route Clearance - Dogger Bank C Export Cable Route



The vessel, Sima, will conduct Pre-Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR) and Route Clearance (RC) operations along the Dogger Bank C export cable corridor in the Southern North Sea, between 19 March 2024 and approximately 06 April 2024


The PLGR is to be performed within the central section (Section 2) of the cable route. The expected duration to cover this section is 6 days.

 

The RC operations will be performed following PLGR and will consist of OOS cable clearance within Sections 1 and 2 of the cable route and boulder clearance within the nearshore area of Section 1. The expected duration of RC operations is 8 days.

 

A wider working area (+/-450m either side of the route) is expected to account for turning radius, pipeline crossings and approaches to the nearshore locations. Coordinates and chart of the route are provided below.

 

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

 

During operations the Sima 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.

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Inter Array Cable Installation - Dogger Bank A Offshore Wind Farm



The Cable Lay Vessel (CLV) Viking Neptun will continue the Inter Array Cable laying operations in the Dogger Bank A OWF, with the third cable installation campaign. The offshore support DP2 vessels Esvagt Froude and Norside Cygnus will assist with cable installation and termination works.


The Esvagt Froude and Norside Cygnus will carry out pull in preparation and continue installation and termination works until approximately 30th of June 2024. The Viking Neptun will commence cable lay works from the 15th of March 2024. The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day.

 

During operations, the Esvagt FroudeNorside Cygnus and Viking Neptun will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre as defined under COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972) and will display the appropriate day shapes and lights.

 

The vessel will also transmit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) message. It is requested that all vessels maintain a minimum of 1.5Nm separation distance from the vessels and pass at reduced speed. Fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention should not be deployed when approaching the working corridor.

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Navigational Warning - Demarcation Buoys - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



Mariners are advised that a number of the Perimeter Buoyage that demarcates the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm as an area under construction have the Top Marks missing. There are also now 3 (three) perimeter buoys that have extinguished lights.


Those demarcation buoys that are now an unlit hazard during hours of Darkness are outlined below;

 

  • N1 - 55° 08.13’ N x 002° 09.52’ E
  • SP2 - 55° 06.57’ N x 002° 05.76’ E
  • E5 - 54° 51.52’ N x 002° 20.71’ E

As N1 & SP2 are adjacent to each other, the Guard Vessel “Enterprise II” will position themselves in this vicinity during the hours of darkness (weather permitting) to monitor vessel traffic movements in the area and direct any vessels away from the unlit hazard.

This will be supplemented with regular safety broadcasts from the Enterprise II. The Guard Vessel will also monitor the array via AIS and Radar.

 

Sofia MCC will also monitor the Sofia Offshore Array remotely via AIS and has initiated triggered guard zones within areas of concern.

 

It is expected that the remedial programme will commence in approx. 7 days (weather permitting).

 

 

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Damaged Blade - Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm



Mariners are advised that there are reports of a damaged blade on one of the WTG's located within the Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm (HGOWF). A 500m exclusion zone is applied around C12 at the moment. Following inspection, approx. 20m of the damaged blade has fallen from the tower and has likely adrift or submerged. Drift analysis has identified that part of the damaged blade had likely drifted offshore, Westerly, between 15 and 92Km with a windspeed of 22-28Knots, over the initial 24 hrs.


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Cable Landfall and Cable Lay Works - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



All Mariners are advised that all works to reinstate the HDD trenches out to KP3 are suspended until May 2024. This means that the spoil heaps from 2023 back hoe excavation works will now remain in situ works resume, although a level of natural backfill is expected over this period.


The 2 Export Cables & 1 Fibre Optic Cable (all bundled) have been installed into the HDD ducts at Landfall (Marske by The Sea). 

 

Guard vessels will remain be onsite 24 hours per day to monitor the export cable until approximately the end of Q2- 2024.

 

Exclusion zone coordinates for 2023 cable pull-in and cable lay works are detailed within the table above and attached Notice to Mariners (NtM).

 

The coordinates of the guard vessel locations for the cable pull-in and cable lay works for Campaign 1 are detailed within the table above and attached NtM.

 

Mariners are requested to remain where possible 500m from the vessels and leave a wide berth during the installation operations. Fishing vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and remain outside of the exclusion area identified.

 

Vessels will be monitoring VHF 16 during the scope of the works and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes/ lights and flag for vessels engaged in diving operations and restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

 

Special Marker Buoys (SMB) will be in place to mark the HDD works area and will remain in place until completion of the export cable landing activities. The locations of these SMBs are detailed in the above table and attached NtM.

 

***Within the working area there may be a temporary reduction in navigable depth up to 2m due to excavated material being placed in spoil heaps***

 

***Please note that the Ocean Energy (Multicat) has recovered 3 of the 4 (A / B / D) anchors from the seabed nearshore HDD Pits and only one anchor remains in situ on the seabed at the HDD Pit in position “C”***

 

The Ocean Energy (Multicat) may attempt to recover the remaining anchor (C) from the seabed nearshore HDD Pits.

 

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

 

Vessel Name Vessel Type Length (m) Beam (m) Draft (m) Gross Tonnage (T) Call Sign MMSI Number
Sancta Maria Guard Vessel 20.37 6 3.03 106 2FOV7 235093015
Inge Guard Vessel 29.7 6.2 3.1 192 YJSN5 577097000
Jason II Guard Vessel 26.02 6.01 3.21 127 MJFY4 232036020
Dolfijn Guard Vessel 27 6.2 3.1 99 YJQL8 576697000
Mary Ann Guard Vessel 32.7 7 3.6 53 YJTV2 577256000
Venus II Guard Vessel 24 7.4 3.15 145 HP9337 370046000
Walvis Guard Vessel 27 6.4 3.32 108 YJQG3 576448000
Flamingo Guard Vessel 31 7 3.5 159 YJVW2 576259000
Haulbowline Guard Vessel 22.3 7 2.7 88 MEZW9 232021354
Star of Hope Guard Vessel 23.9 7.2 3.4 101 MKDN2 232038483
Karima Guard Vessel 26.10 6.0 4.0 88 MPKV5 232006310
Enterprise II Guard / Scout Vessel 26 9.2 4.7 421 MPFN7 232006130

 

The table below also provides the position and description of any equipment/asset/item that will remain in place following demobilisation of the Ievoli Ivory.

 

Location Equipment and Description Latitude Longitude Approximate Depth (LAT)
A

Concrete mattresses

3 of 5.95 m x 2.95 m x 0.30 m

54°38.544’ N 000°35.147’W 55m
B

Concrete mattresses

1 of 5.95 m x 2.95 m x 0.30 m

54°38.572’ N 000°35.142’W 55m
C

Concrete mattresses

2 of 5.95 m x 2.95 m x 0.30 m

1 of 5.55 m x 2.95 m x 0.50 m

54°48.144’ N 000°37.515’E 74m
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Demarcation / Met-Ocean Buoys - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



The Kingdom of Fife commenced and continues with Met-Ocean & Demarcation maintenance works within the Sofia Export Cable Route and also within the Sofia Offshore Array. Works will last for approx. 14 days (weather permitting). Note: Vessel is currently off location, but is expected to return week commencing 11th March 2024.


The Met-ocean buoys at KP2 has already been removed and those metocean buoys at KP8 and KP40 on the Export Cable Route will also be permanently recovered during March 2024. There will also be an additional three Met-ocean buoys installed within the Sofia Offshore Windfarm Array as well as an additional met-ocean buoy at KP180 along the export cable route.

 

The Kingdom of Fife will be working daylight hours only and shall be monitoring VHF 16 during the scope of the works and shall also be exhibiting the correct day shapes and night lights for a vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

 

Mariners are requested to refrain from entering and transiting through the construction area as demarcated by these demarcation buoys.

 

The table below provides a summary of each Cardinal and Special Mark Buoy deployed at the SOWF array, including target coordinates in WGS84 Degrees Decimal Minutes and a description of top mark and lantern characteristics. The Demarcation Buoys will be deployed for a period of approximately three years.  

Buoy ID Latitude Longitude Lantern Characteristics Lantern  Colour
North Cardinal N1 55° 08.133’ N 002° 09.518' E

VQ 0.5s

White
North Cardinal N2 55° 08.436’ N 002° 13.418’ E

Q 1s

White
East Cardinal E1 55° 06.480’ N 002° 16.929’ E  

Q(3) 10s

White
East Cardinal E2 55° 02.571’ N 002° 23.925' E

VQ(3) 5s

White
East Cardinal E3 54° 59.043’ N 002° 30.269’ E

Q(3) 10s

White
East Cardinal E4 54° 55.085’ N 002° 26.631’ E

VQ(3) 5s

White
East Cardinal E5 54° 51.523’ N 002° 20.709' E

Q(3) 10s

White
South Cardinal S1 54° 49.725’ N 002° 16.726' E

Q(6) + LFL 15s

White
West Cardinal W1 54° 51.829’ N 002° 12.194' E

Q(9) 15s

White
West Cardinal W2 54° 56.229’ N 002° 03.867' E

VQ(9) 10s

White
West Cardinal W3 55° 00.623’ N 001° 56.196' E

Q(9) 15s

White
West Cardinal W4 55° 04.648’ N 002° 02.498' E

VQ(9) 10s

White
Special Mark SP1 55° 02.741’ N 001° 59.756' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP2 55° 06.569’ N 002° 05.756' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP3 55° 04.525’ N 002° 20.428' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP4 55° 00.617’ N 002° 27.418' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP5 54° 56.871’ N 002° 29.602' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP6 54° 53.324’ N 002° 23.621' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP7 54° 54.030’ N 002° 08.026' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow
Special Mark SP8 54° 58.427’ N 001° 59.703' E

FI Y 5s

Yellow

 

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

 

Site Location Buoy Position Latitude Longitude Deployment Date Recovery Date
Export Cable KP2 (From Shore) 54 36.508N 001 00.175W June 2023 Now recovered
Export Cable KP8 54 36.584N 000 54.674W June 2023 Will be recovered permanently
Export Cable KP40 54 40.524N 000 26.735W June 2023 Will be recovered permanently
Export Cable KP130 54 50.543N 000 54.689E June 2023 Will remain in position until further notice
Export Cable KP180 TBC TBC March 2024 Will remain in position until further notice
SOWF Array North 55° 5.392' N 002° 12.993' E June 2023 Will remain in position until further notice
SOWF Array South 54° 54.987' N 002° 15.585' E June 2023 Will remain in position until further notice
SOWF Array East 54° 58.160' N 002° 22.521' E March 2024 Will remain in position until further notice
SOWF Array West 55° 01.528' N 002° 04.052' E March 2024 Will remain in position until further notice
SOWF OCP 55° 00.439' N 002° 14.798' E March 2024 Will remain in position until further notice

 

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UXO Identification Works - East Anglia 3 Offshore Wind Farm & Export Cable Route



UXO Identification using the vessel 'Glomar Wave' will take place at the East Anglia 3 (EA3) OWF & ECR. Work will begin inside the OWF site on approx 17 March 2024. The vessel will mobilise and initially transit from Gt Yarmouth to the site and will pause enroute to perform some trials and calibrations. A work class ROV and onboard survey and positioning equipment will be used. In the event any UXO's are located, the vessel will mobilise with a demolition spread at a date TBD (likely May/Jun)


The whole scope is expected to complete approx. August 2024.

 

More details to follow. 

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Array Cable Installation - Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited



This notice to mariners is to inform that Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (Moray West) will be carrying out array cable installation and ROV survey operations from the vessel Seaway Aimery supported by the Olympic Orion at the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm site.


Scope of work includes installation of subsea power cables into the Wind Turbine Generator foundations and Offshore Substation foundations. Followed by lay subsea power cables on the seabed (a separate NtM will be issued for cable burial operations in the future) Also an ROV survey of the array cable routes, and monitoring of the operation will be conducted.

The work will be performed by the Seaway Aimery supported by the Olympic Orion.

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Offshore Site Investigation - Awel y Môr Proposed Wind Farm



A Geotechnical Site Investigation of the proposed Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is due to be conducted off the North Wales coast between 11th November 2023 and May 2024.


The jack-up barge Seafox 7 is due to start geotechnical site investigations on the 11th November 2023 and to continue the survey until May 2024.  This estimate includes delays likely to be caused by bad weather. During the survey, Seafox 7 will drill 60 boreholes at discrete locations in the project site.  The vessel will operate for 24 hours per day during the survey.  The survey area is illustrated in the Notice to Mariners and bounded by the coordinates below:-

  • NE Marker: 53° 29.460’N 003° 35.220’W
  • SE Marker: 53° 29.532’N 003° 44.760’W
  • SW Marker: 53° 26.700’N  003° 51.600’W
  • NW Marker: 53° 29.280’N 003° 51.600’W

Seafox 7 will be supported by the vessels Elisa and Fairplay 32 in its daily operations, and these vessels will tow the barge between sampling locations.  The tugs will standby at anchor on the project site, and will also be transiting between the site and nearby ports. The vessel MCS Boreas will be assisting the Seafox 7 with crew transfer operations to shore on a twice-weekly basis.

 

Vessel details

Seafox 7 is a jack-up barge with a red hull and white superstructure.  It measures 55.5m long with a beam of 32.2m.  Details for this barge and its support vessels are provided below:-

  • Seafox 7: drilling vessel | MMSI 235065812 | Call sign 2BGC6
  • Elisa: Support vessel / tug | MMSI 236745000 | Call sign PBZP
  • Fairplay 32: Support vessel / tug | MMSI 210447000 | Call sign 5BAM6
  • MCS Boreas: Crew Transfer Vessel | MMSI 235096501 | Call sign 2GDR8

Operations will be conducted on a 24 hour basis.  A continuous listening watch will be conducted on VHF Channel 16.

 

Other vessels are requested to keep their distance, maintaining at least a 500m distance.

 

Full details of all of the vessels can be found in the Notice to Mariners.

 

About the proposed windfarm

The Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm would be built around six miles off the North Wales coast, to the west of the existing Gwynt y Môr windfarm.  Awel y Môr would be connected to the National Grid by an export cable coming ashore between Rhyl and Prestatyn.  The proposed windfarm would include up to 50 wind turbines.  It could generate enough power for up to half a million homes, and it will be the largest renewable energy investment in Wales in this decade. Full project details and maps of the windfarm location are available at the project website awelymor.cymru.

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Geophysical Survey - Thistle Wind Partners proposed (E3) Offshore Wind Farm



Thistle Wind Partners are developing the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm. Please be advised that G-Tec, on behalf of Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), is undertaking a Geophysical Survey of the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm Array Area. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is to outline the working area for the survey vessel, as well as the scope of work. The survey will utilise the vessel Karina.


G-Tec will be undertaking a geophysical survey over Bowdun (E3) Area Area utilising towed sensors. During the survey the vessel will be operating at approximately 4 knots with equipment being towed at a distance of up to 300m astern of the vessel.

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Seawatch Wind Lidar Buoys - Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm



Deployment of two (2) Floating Seawatch Wind LiDAR buoys in the Moray Firth for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a period of 24 months.


*SWLB-075 currently unlit (04/03/2024) - AIS remains active*

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 (V8).

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Benthic Survey - Thistle Wind Partners proposed (E3) Offshore Wind Farm



Thistle Wind Partners are developing the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm. Please be advised that Ocean Ecology Ltd (OEL), on behalf of Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), is undertaking a benthic survey of the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm Array Area and Export Cable Corridor. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is to outline the working area for the survey vessel, as well as the scope of work. The survey will utilise the vessel DSV Curtis Marshall.


Ocean Ecology Ltd (OEL) will be undertaking a benthic characterisation survey inclusive of a drop-down camera assessment, seabed grabs and water sampling. The survey operations do not involve towed survey equipment. The works will be completed by personnel from OEL onboard the vessel DSV Curtis Marshall. Works will be carried out on a continuous basis, 24-hours per day, seven days a week.

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220-04 Spare



Two spare cables are wet-stored on the indicated location. Both will be de-buried, and one will be picked up by a cable lay vessel to execute a cable repair on another location. The second spare cable will remain unburied during the duration of the repair. Afterwards, the second spare cable will be picked up and brought onshore. 


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Exposed Cable - Shefa-2 (Segment 7)



Shefa-2 Segment 7 cable break has been repaired and the Post Repair Inspection and Burial (PRIB) operation has been completed. Hence, minor sections of wet stored cable is sensitive to any external impacts and constitutes a snagging risk for anchoring, fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention.


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Exposed Cable - Shefa-2 (Segment 7)



Shefa-2 Segment 7 cable breaks occurred 14 October 2022 and 11 May 2023. The Post Repair Inspection revealed that, due to rocky seabed, cable burial is not possible and other cable protection measures are being evaluated. Hence, a section of 2600m cable is exposed to seabed and poses a high risk to fishing activity. Please pay attention to this section of wet stored cable which is sensitive to any external impacts and constitutes a snagging risk for fishing, anchoring or other seabed equipment.


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Scour Protection Installation Works - Sofia Offshore Wind Farm



All Mariners are advised that the Fallpipe Installation Vessel 'Nordnes' commenced scour protection works at various Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) locations within the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Array until approximately the end of March 2024.


The Nordness will transit to and from site to replinish rock when required.

 

Two layers (armour & filter) are foreseen to be installed for the scour protection: The armour layer will be installed at all 100 WTG locations and the filter layer will be installed at 88 of the WTG locations.

 

All Mariners are requested to remain outside the works area are identified within the table above and pass at a safe speed and distance. Mariners should be aware there will be a reduction in navigable depth of up to 9% at all 100 WTG locations following the installation of the scour protection.

 

Vessel information in relation to these scope of works are outlined below;

 

Vessel Name Vessel Type Length (m) Draught (m) Call Sign MMSI Number
Nordness Subsea Rock Installation Vessel 166.70 10.51 PHOG 244962000
Enterprise II Guard / Scout Vessel 26

4.7

MPFN7 232006130

 

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SHEPD Subsea Inspections - Orkney Islands



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


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

 

The inspection works will be centred on a 50m cable corridor, defined by the start and end coordinates listed in the attached NtM.

 

 

VESSEL DETAILS

The vessel [Offshore Sensor] to be used during the survey and inspection campaign is owned and operated by Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd. Operations will be limited to daylight hours only.

Offshore Vessel will be restricted in its 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.

The vessel will monitor VHF Channel 16 throughout survey operations.

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Metocean buoy at Bellorck Offshore Wind Farm site



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


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).

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EXC Geophysical Survey - Thistle Wind Partners Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm



Thistle Wind Partners are developing the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm. The MV Ondine Jule, on behalf of Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), is undertaking a Geophysical survey of the proposed Bowdun (E3) Offshore Wind Farm Export Cable Corridor. The purpose of this Notice to Mariners (NtM) is to outline the working area for the survey vessel, as well as the scope of work. The survey will utilise the vessel MV Ondine Jule.


The MV Ondine Jule will be conducting a Geophysical survey over Bowdun (E3) Export Cable Corridor Area utilising towed sensors. During the survey the vessel will be operating at approximately 4 knots with equipment being towed at a distance of up to 300m astern of the vessel.

 

The vessel will be restricted in their ability to maneuver and will display the appropriate lights and shapes prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Other vessels are requested to provide a minimum clearance of 500m from the survey vessel during marine operations and pass at a safe speed. Regular Security Messages will be issued on VHF Channel 16 and this Channel will be always monitored by the vessel. The vessel will also transmit regular Automatic Transmission Identification System (AIS) Messages.

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Research Buoy Recovery - Morlais Demonstration Zone.



Notification of the recovery of scientific research buoy in the Morlais Demonstration Zone to the Port of Holyhead.


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Exposed and Free Span - Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm



Results of the Greater Gabbard OFTO export cable survey. The chart lists the changes to the exposures on the three export cables, on the inshore section between KP 3 and KP 5 with a free span remaining around KP 4. Between KP 36 and KP 38 there are some exposed sections as the cables enter the site. In addition, although listed as exposures on the chart, there are areas of shallow burial at KP10 and a cable exposure on the interconnector cable within the site.


Please find attached a chart showing the results of the Greater Gabbard OFTO export cable survey. The chart lists the changes to the exposures on the three export cables, on the inshore section between KP 3 and KP 5 with a free span remaining around KP 4. Between KP 36 and KP 38 there are some exposed sections as the cables enter the site. In addition, although listed as exposures on the chart, there are areas of shallow burial at KP10 and a cable exposure on the interconnector cable within the site.

 

The exposed/shallow burial areas are shown as the coloured dots on the cable route highlighted in a black box.  Equitix (Greater Gabbard OFTO) have asked that all Fishermen operate with caution when fishing anywhere on the cable route and particularly the areas that are shallow buried around KP10.’

 

Coordinates of exposed/shallow burial areas are shown on the attached chart.

 

The OFTO is updating its risk assessments to determine the extent of remedial measures that may be required. Equitix intend to provide an update on remediation after the risk assessment exercise is complete.’

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Project Marine Survey Geotechnical Operations - Eastern Green Link 3



Mariners are advised that a marine geotechnical survey is planned for the Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) project. The marine survey activities for EGL 3 are planned to commence late-November 2023 and are expected to complete around the end of May 2024.


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 shallow cone penetration tests (CPTs) and vibrocores (VCs) to a maximum of 6 m below seabed at approximate 1 km 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.

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Eastern Green Link 3 Geophysical Survey



Mariners are advised that a nearshore marine geophysical survey continues for the Eastern Green Link3 and 4 (EGL3 /4) projects, utilising towed equipment. The marine survey activities for EGL 3 / 4 commenced mid-August 2023 and are expected to complete around the end of March 2024.


The geophysical vessels being utilised for this survey are the 'DEEP Seapal' and 'SV Miranda'.

 

  • Eastern Green Link 3 is a HVDC electricity transmission interconnector between Scotland and England, a joint venture between National Grid and Scottish & Southern Electricity Transmission (SSEN).
  • Eastern Green Link 4 is a HVDC electricity transmission interconnector between Scotland and England, a joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power Transmission (SPT). The EGL 3 / 4 projects will play a vital role in achieving the UK and Scottish governments net zero targets and significantly increase the UK’s capacity for clean, green renewable power.
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Geophysical Survey - Berwick Bank Wind Farm



Mariners are advised that SSE Renewables will be returning to Berwick Bank Wind Farm area to undertake further geophysical survey work. The survey will be within the proposed wind turbine array area. The survey vessel will arrive on site on approximately 28 February 2024. To account for weather and all eventualities, we would like to extend the validity of this notice to 15 April 2024. A guard vessel will operate ahead of the survey vessel.


The survey will focus upon the north west quarter of the site with possible survey in the southern half of the site pending weather and survey progress. SSE Renewables are engaging with static gear fishers operating within the north western quarter of the site to arrange relocation of gear. A guard vessel with an onboard fisheries liaison officer (OFLO) will be present to work alongside the survey vessel. The survey work is being undertaken by Green Rebel and will be conducted by the Roman Rebel vessel. Pending weather conditions vessels are due to be on site from 28 February 2024. The scouting/guard vessel will be the GV Courage SH170 (up to 14th March) and the Shemarah II LH65 (from 13th March onwards).

 

The survey is anticipated to take approximately 2 weeks. To account for all eventualities including weather delays, we would like to extend the duration of this notice validity to 15th April 2024.

 

Please note that towed equipment will be used. The survey will involve towing and deployment of: • Multi Beam Echosounder – to 3D map seafloor and calculate water depths; • Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) – to provide data on conditions beneath the seabed; • Side Scan Sonar – to detect seabed objects; • Sub-bottom profiler – to provide data on conditions beneath the seabed; • Magnetometer – to detect any ferrous metal objects (wrecks / unexploded ordnance); • Ultra Short Baseline – to assist in positioning of the subsea equipment being towed / submerged.

 

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). There will be an Offshore Fisheries Liaison Officer on board the guard vessel as well as an Onshore Fisheries Liaison Officer to account for 24 hour survey operations

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Offshore Export Cable Routes – OEC-2 and OEC-1 Remedial Protection Campaign February 2024



This notice to mariners is to inform that Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (Moray West) are planning to introduce a new vessel (Simon Stevin) to complete remedial protection works over SHET and TINV (Beatrice) crossing and over any areas where targeted depth of lowering was not achieved for offshore export cable routes after trenching campaign. Simon Stevin vessel is expected to arrive to site circa 24th February 2024.


The ‘Simon Stevin’ vessel is expected to arrive on site circa 24th February 2024 to complete offshore export cable (OEC) remedial protection using rocks over pre-laid and pre-trenched offshore export cables OEC-2 and OEC-1. The overall duration is expected to be approximately 1 month.

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Metocean Buoy Deployments - Ossian Offshore Wind Farm



Partrac Ltd. deployed FLS200 Floating LiDAR buoys at two sites within the Ossian Floating Offshore Wind Farm off the East coast of Scotland in August 2022. Partrac is planning to redeploy the LiDAR Buoy at Site 1, and recover the LiDAR Buoy at Site 3 to Montrose for maintenance, from 14/02/2024. The works are estimated to be carried out over two days, weather permitting. The vessel to be used for the works is the Voe Earl with call sign 2FEP6, MMSI Number 235090599 and IMO 9639983.


FLOATING LIDAR BUOY The floating LiDAR buoys deployed at sites 1 and 3 record meteorological data and are anchored to the seabed by means of a mooring chain and a ground weight. The buoy has dimensions of 4m x 4m, and when deployed the tallest mast on the buoy sits approx. 4m above the water line. The lantern has a flash sequence Fl (5) Y 20s. Please maintain a 500m exclusion around each buoy.

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Offshore Geophysical Survey - Eastern Green Link 4



Mariners are advised that a marine geophysical survey is planned for the Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4) project. The marine survey activities for EGL 4 are planned to commence mid-February 2024 and are expected to complete by late March 2024


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Navigational Hazard due to cable exposure - AEC-1



AEC-1 Cable System break has been repaired but the Post Repair Inspection and Burial (PRIB) operation has not been completed. Hence, a section of approx. 1.5km of cable is sensitive to any external impacts and constitutes a snagging risk for anchoring, fishing gear or other equipment with seabed intervention. Please keep a distance of 500m.


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Greenlink Interconnector from Great Island, County Wexford to S.W Wales



Greenlink Interconnector Ltd. is developing an electricity interconnector between the South-east of Ireland, from Great Island, County Wexford to South-west Wales, at Pembroke, Pembrokeshire. Offshore cable installation is complete from the Freshwater West to the median line between Wales and Ireland. Operations have been paused due to poor weather and a requirement for maintenance and upgrades on the construction vessel. Guard Vessels remain on site to protect the laid cable.


Operations at site have been paused due to poor weather and a requirement for maintenance and upgrades on the construction vessel. Guard Vessels remain on site to protect the laid cable. Which is not fully protected in some small sections. Protection operations will resume in the first week of April 2024,

 

Trenching operations will resume, performed by Grand Canyon III (Call Sign: LACJ8 / IMO N° 9695963 / MMSI N° 257010590), a DP2 offshore support vessel presented in below Figure 4-1. The vessel has a length of 127 m and a breadth of 25 m. The draft is approximately 6.5 m.

 

The vessel will have the trenching vehicle deployed either over the side or the stern, or an ROV for survey activities deployed over the side. During these operations, it will be restricted in manoeuvrability. All vessels operating within this area are requested to keep a 0.5 nm distance and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash. The vessel will always be listening to VHF channel 16 and can set any other channel as required

 

 

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Benthic Characterisation Survey - Llyr Floating Offshore Wind Farm



Please be advised that from the 5th February 2024 Ocean Ecology Ltd (OEL), on behalf of Ll?r Floating Wind Limited will be undertaking a benthic characterisation survey inclusive of a drop-down camera assessment and seabed grab sampling within the areas detailed in the attachement. The works will be completed by personnel from OEL onboard the vessel Argyll Explorer, which will mobilise from Milford Docks in Milford Haven.


The survey is scheduled to be completed by the 30th March 2024. Works will be carried out on a continuous daily basis working 12-hours per day pending on weather and access restrictions imposed by the Castlemartin Firing Range.

 

Upon adverse weather conditions, if the Argyll Explorer is not able to hold on position, it will seek shelter or return to Milford Docks in Milford Haven.

 

This notification is intended for circulation to all interested parties undertaking or managing activities in the vicinity of the planned survey works. If you would like further details regarding the surveys, please contact the OEL Head of Survey, Ashley Kirby using the contact details at the head of this communication.

 

 

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Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Notice To Mariners: Risk of cable exposure within the Rampion Wind Farm



Following the most recent subsea survey carried out in August 2023, updated information of inter-array cable exposures are listed and illustrated below. Analysis of survey data at the wind farm indicates the locations of exposures of sections of inter-array cables are subject to change resulting from dynamic movements of the seabed but are primarily focused within the South-South East of the wind farm area.


Following the most recent subsea survey carried out in August 2023, updated information of inter-array cable exposures are listed and illustrated below. Analysis of survey data at the wind farm indicates the locations of exposures of sections of inter-array cables are subject to change resulting from dynamic movements of the seabed but are primarily focused within the South-South East of the wind farm area.

 

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.

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Risk of cable exposure within the Galloper Offshore Windfarm



Galloper Windfarm, RWE - NTM: GWFL-O&M 03-2020 v2 Risk of cable exposure within the Galloper Windfarm


Please be advised that the subsea survey carried out in 2020, identified seven cable routes with 10 exposures in total. The below table provides the locations of the identified exposures.

 

As cable exposure is a known risk at Galloper and across the offshore wind industry, we would remind Mariners of the safety information found on the KIS-ORCA website ‘The risks of fishing near cables and renewable energy structures. To avoid crossing cables when towing equipment follow the cable corridors- locations of the cables can be found on the Galloper awareness charts via KIS-ORCA.

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Marine Mammal Monitoring Passive Acoustic Monitoring Deployment - East Anglia Offshore Windfarm



Seiche limited has deployed 12 Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Stations on the seabed in the East Anglia Offshore Windfarm Area on the 16th of May 2023. The PAM stations will remain on the seabed till the 31st of October 2027. The PAM stations have 12 m height above the seabed, they weigh 600 kg and their location will not be marked by a surface buoy. All marine traffic is advised to maintain 500 m exclusion zone around these PAM locations for their safety.


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Marine Mammal Monitoring - Passive Acoustic Monitoring Baseline Deployment

 

Seiche Limited

Passive Acoustic Monitoring at the East Anglia Three Offshore Windfarm

NTM:  PAM-EA3- 007                                                                                   Date of issue: 09 January 2024

 

Dear Owners, Ships Agents, Masters, Pilots and Fishermen,

 

Please, be advised that Seiche Limited will 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, starting from the 27th of January 2024. The service is expected to be completed on the 10th of February 2024.

 

Seiche will utilise the Reykjanes vessel for the deployment.

Reykjanes

Scope: PAM stations deployment

Vessel: Reykjanes

LOA: 40.16 m

Call sign: OVSI2

IMO: 7392311

MMSI: 219329000

Phone: +45 (0) 8213 6973

Mobile: +45 (0) 2614 9844

 

The PAM stations will remain on the seabed until approximately the 31st of October 2027.  The PAM stations have 12 m height above the seabed, they weigh 600 kg and their location will not be marked by a surface buoy.

All marine traffic is advised to maintain 500 m safety zone around the Reykjanes or any other vessel at these locations during deployment or servicing for their safety.

 

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.

 

/Locations of the PAM stations in WGS-84 coordinates:

Date Deployed

Location Number

Latitude

Longitude

 

For general enquiries, please, contact via e-mail:

environmental@seiche.com

https://www.seiche.com/

Tel: +44 (0) 1409 404050

 

 

Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO):

Name: Jonathan Keer // Freya Sandison

Email: jonathan@brownmay.com // molly.jones@brownmay.com

Telephone: +44 (0) 7850 604851 //

+44 (0) 7857 500609

16 May 23

EA3_01

52°

39.757'

N

002°

50.892'

E

16 May 23

EA3_02

52°

43.944'

N

002°

56.888'

E

16 May 23

EA3_03

52°

43.323'

N

002°

48.350'

E

16 May 23

EA3_04

52°

39.478'

N

002°

43.975'

E

16 May 23

EA3_05

52°

33.833'

N

002°

43.954'

E

16 May 23

EA3_06

52°

29.218'

N

002°

33.556'

E

16 May 23

EA3_07

52°

23.948'

N

002°

27.678'

E

16 May 23

EA3_08

52°

19.731'

N

002°

21.606'

E

16 May 23

EA3_09

52°

37.079'

N

002°

50.340'

E

16 May 23

EA3_10

52°

31.734'

N

002°

49.630'

E

16 May 23

EA3_11

52°

24.449'

N

002°

45.480'

E

16 May 23

EA3_12

52°

17.573'

N

002°

52.304'

E

 

This notification supersedes all previous notifications issued in relation to this activity.

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Anchor on Seabed - Dogger Bank A Offshore Windfarm



8 tonne anchor and part of shaft dropped to seabed


An anchor and part of the shaft remains on the seabed at a depth of 26m at 'spare' WTG location on the periphery of Dogger Bank A Offshore Windfarm

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Surface Laid Cable - The Whitley Bay Stub Route (2)



The installation of the Havhingsten fibre optic telecommunication Whitley Bay Stub Route has been completed. Due to challenging soil conditions and rocky seabed, there are sections of surface laid cable and areas with shallow burial. No further operations to bury this section of cable are planned due to the presence of rock. The cable is protected by the armoured cable type and from the BMH up to kilometre point (KP) 0.474 the cable is additionally protected by Articulated Pipe.


Please be advised that installation of the Havhingsten fibre optic telecommunication Whitley Bay Stub Route has been completed.

 

The supplier of the Havhingsten cable is Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). Intertek are the environmental and permitting consultants.

 

The Whitley Bay Stub Route has been installed between the Beach Man Hole (BMH) and the territorial sea limit but it will not yet be connected to the telecommunication network. This cable is to provide infrastructure for the network to expand relatively easily when demand is required within the next 10 - 15 years.

 

Due to challenging soil conditions and rocky seabed, there are sections of surface laid cable and areas with shallow burial (less than 0.20m burial depth), coordinates can be found below. No further operations to bury these sections of cable are planned due to the challenging soil conditions. The cable is protected by the armoured cable type and from the BMH up to kilometre point (KP) 0.474 the cable is additionally protected by Articulated Pipe.

 

Coordinates for the surface laid cable and shallow burial areas are provided in the attached Notice to Mariners.

 

Post-Lay Inspection & Burial (PLIB) by jetting for the section of surface laid cable close to the territorial sea limit was completed on the 1 November 2022.

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Foundation Installation Campaign - Dogger Bank A



The Offshore installation vessel, HLV Seaway Strashnov, and the Heavy Lift Crane Vessel, Seaway Alfa Lift will install offshore wind turbine foundations, within the Dogger Bank A construction area.


The works  will commenced on the 26th of September 2022, continuing until approximately Q1 2024 The works will be continuous 24 hours a day.  A running list of the next locations to be installed and completed foundation locations are presented in the Weekly Notice of Operations.

 

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

 

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

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

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

•           At least 2 nm range.

 

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

 

During operations, a Statutory Safety zone of 500m radius will be in place around the HLV Seaway Strashnov and the Seaway Alfa Lift during the installation of foundations.  The safety zones will be monitored by a guard vessel. The primary response will be to warn passing traffic of the ongoing works and any active safety zones, and to alert any vessels where an infringement may occur or has occurred.

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Passive Acoustic Monitoring Device - Spiorad na Mara Offshore Wind Farm



The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) using the Seatrek vessel Lochlann has successfully deployed a Passive Acoustic Monitoring Device (PAM) on behalf of Spiorad na Mara Ltd. The PAM will be deployed on site over a period of 12 months within the Spiorad na Mara offshore wind farm site.


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

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Metocean Equipment - Spiorad na Mara



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. The original seabed mooring remains without a surface buoy attached. there is approximately 100m of rope attached. Please keep clear.


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Monopile / Transition Piece Offshore Installation - Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited



This notice to mariners is to inform that Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (“Moray West”) will be commencing with the installation of Transition Pieces (TP) at the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm (Windfarm Marine License MS-00009774) from around 23 January 2024. The work comprises of the installation of 60x TPs on the already installed Monopiles. The TPs will be installed by the Jack up vessel Apollo.


The scope of TP installation with Apollo comprises of the installation of 60x WTG TPs and the scope of works for the MP installation with Orion comprises of the installation of approx. 30x MPs.

 

The TP installation will be carried out with the dynamically positioned installation Jack Up Vessel (JUV) Apollo. The MP installation will be carried out by the dynamically positioned installation vessel Orion in addition to the Bokalift 2.

 

 

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WTG Installation Campaign - Dogger Bank A



The Jack-up WTG Installation Vessel, Voltaire, will install wind turbine generators (WTG) within the Dogger Bank A construction area.


The works will commence on the 05th of July 2023, continuing until approximately Q2 2024.  The works will be continuous, 24 hours a day.  A chart of the DBA construction area boundary coordinates and a table of WTG location coordinates is provided below. A running list of the completed WTG installations and the next locations to be installed is presented in the Weekly Notice of Operations.

 

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

 

During operations, a Statutory Safety zone of 500m radius will be in place around the Voltaire during the installation of WTGs.  The safety zone will be monitored by a guard vessel. The primary response will be to warn passing traffic of the ongoing works and any active safety zones, and to alert any vessels where an infringement may occur or has occurred. 

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Temporary Marker Buoy - Dogger Bank B Export Cable Burial Operations



Rock placement works are currently ongoing for the DBB export cable corridor (please see NtM LF600013-ESI-DOG-NOT-0006). Rock placement is required at KP1.557 to KP1.606 (approx. 49m in length), this will reduce the water depth at that location by up to 20%. A temporary marker buoy will remain in position to the north of the rock berm to mark the area until navigational charting has been updated to reflect the as-built rock berm.


The marker buoy vessel, Bright Blue, will transit to the work site and deploy the temporary marker buoy at the location set out in Table 1. The total duration of this activity will be one working day. Figure 2 below shows the type of marker buoy that will be installed.

 

It is requested that all vessels give Bright Blue a wide berth and pass at reduced speed when the vessel is engaged in deployment activities.

 

All vessels will monitor VHF CH16 and VHF DSC Ch70 continuously throughout.

The marker buoy vessel, Bright Blue, will transit to the work site and deploy the temporary marker buoy at the location set out in Table 1. The total duration of this activity will be one working day. Figure 2 below shows the type of marker buoy that will be installed.

 

It is requested that all vessels give Bright Blue a wide berth and pass at reduced speed when the vessel is engaged in deployment activities.

 

All vessels will monitor VHF CH16 and VHF DSC Ch70 continuously throughout.

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Abandoned fishing equipment/seabed fastener - Exa Hibernia Segment C



Fouled fishing equipment. Following on from a repair completed to the Hibernia/Exa Dublin – Southport cable, abandoned trawl equipment fouled on the seabed and very close to the submarine cable has been identified in position 53 48.2166N  04 28.7343W


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.

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Site Investigation Survey - Norfolk Windfarm Boreas, Vanguard West, Vanguard East



Please be advised of this notice advising mariners of the site investigation survey of the Norfolk Boreas, Vanguard East and Vanguard West windfarms and export cable. The Noordhoek Pathfinder and Geo Ranger will be completing survey operations in UK waters. The surveys started in March 2023 and are scheduled to last until the end of April 2024 (subject to weather and additional scopes).


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Cable exposures - IFA2000 Interconnector



A recent survey has detected a section of cable with intermittent exposures and potential free spans in the UK sector of the IFA 2000 Interconnector. These exposures are found across all four cables west of 001° 17.2’E . Fishing vessels are advised to keep clear of this area.


A recent survey has detected an area where the cable is intermittently exposed with some free spans a possibility. The exposures are present intermittently across all four cable routes in the area bounded by: 

51° 5.23’N 001° 17.20’E

51° 3.33’N 001° 17.20’E

51° 5.00’N 001° 11.67’E

51° 4.88’N 001° 11.67’E

 

A remedial plan is being formulated. Fishermen are requested to stay well clear.

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Moorings and Scientific Equipment Installed - Beatrice, Moray East, Moray West & Caledonia Windfarms



Mariners are advised that the University of Aberdeen has installed 52 moorings and PAM equipment within the Beatrice, Moray East, Moray West and Caledonia Offshore Windfarm sites, at the locations listed in this notice. The moorings support acoustic loggers that record echolocation clicks of dolphins and porpoises and broad-band sound recorders. They will remain in place for approximately 6 months. All are subsurface moorings that extend no more than 6 m vertically from the seabed.


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Floating LiDAR and Metocean Survey Deployment - MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm



A floating LiDAR buoy, surface metocean equipment buoys and seabed landers have been deployed at two sites to assist with the development of MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm. The floating LiDAR buoy and metocean equipment was deployed between 28th April – 29th April 2023 by Fugro from the Port of Burntisland. The Forth Warrior vessel deployed the floating LiDAR and Metocean survey equipment. Mariners are requested to keep a distance of 500 metres from the Site 1 and Site 2 deployment locations.


The floating LiDAR buoy, surface metocean equipment buoys and seabed landers have been deployed at two separate locations. The equipment deployed will gather wind and metocean data which will be used to inform the development of the Project.

 

The Floating LiDAR  buoy , Metocean Midi Buoy and Metocean Wavescan Buoy are all surface buoys, tethered to the sea bed with single mooring lines. The Seabed Lander is a frame anchored on the seabed, approximately 1.7 m diameter and 0.6 m high. 

 

The Floating LiDAR buoy, Metocean Midi Buoy and Metocean Wavescan Buoy have light marking characteristics comprising FI (5) Y 20s with a nominal range of 5 nautical miles.

 

Surface equipment at Site 1 and Site 2 are transmitting their locations via AIS.

 

Equipment details and mooring designs of the floating LiDAR buoy, metocean buoys and seabed lander are provided in this notice to mariners.

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Installation of Monopile foundations - Moray West offshore wind farm



This notice to mariners is to inform that Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited (Moray West) will be commencing Monopile, Transition Piece and Offshore Substation installation works at the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm


(Windfarm Marine Licence MS-00009774) installation from and no earlier than 1 October 2023. The first work scope, which will be undertaken, is the installation of Monopiles from the 1 October 2023.

 

Please be aware that, during the Monopile installation works, the Bokalift 2, by virtue of its mode of operation the vessel, will be Restricted in its Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM). Masters of vessels are requested to maintain their vessels and gears at a minimum safe passing distance from the vessel of 500 meters when it is undertaking work and showing the appropriate shapes and lights in accordance with COLREGs Rule 27 (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, Rule 3).

 

The scope of work includes the installation of Monopiles and Transition Pieces at 62 foundation locations, and the installation of two Offshore Substations. The installation of Monopiles and Topsides will be carried out with dynamically positioned installation vessels.

The installation of the Transition Pieces will be carried out from a jack-up vessel. A separate Notice to Mariners will be issued ahead of the start of Offshore Substation installation and ahead of the Transition Piece installation works.  

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Marine Hazard and Archaeological Exclusion Zone - Dogger Bank C Export Cable



A new marine hazard has been identified during UXO identification and investigation operations in the Dogger Bank C export cable corridor.


The marine hazard is located on the seabed in the near vicinity of the intended route of the DBC export cable and is a group of metallic objects associated with military (probably WW2) activity in nature.

 

A 50 metre Archaeological Exclusion Zone (AEZ) has been implemented under the terms of the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced and agreed with Historic England as per Licence condition in accordance with 16(g) of dML 1 and Condition 13(g) of dML 3.

 

Fishing vessels and other vessels engaged in the deploying of sub-surface and bottom interacting gear should avoid the area.

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Nearshore Works Temporary Marker Buoy - Dogger Bank C



The nearshore works to prepare for installation of the Dogger Bank C export cable have now been completed. The temporary marker buoy will remain in position in the vicinity of the Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) North and South exit points as shown in the graphic inlcuded with this notice with a chart of the general area where the temporary marker buoy is located. The characteristics of the temporary marker buoy are included in this notice.


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Potentially exposed cable - Caithness Moray HVDC link



Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc has become aware of two areas of potential cable exposure on the Caithness Moray HVDC link, and request that a 500m safety zone is observed


Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc has become aware of two areas of potential cable exposure on the Caithness Moray HVDC link, and request that a 500m safety zone is observed centred on the co-ordinates below.

 

KP

Longitude (WGS 84)

Latitude (WGS 84)

99.240

-2.8633908494

58.4590588736

105.282

-2.9656976221

58.4615448756

 

Mariners are requested not to anchor or tow equipment inside the 500m safety zone surrounding the potentially exposed cable, as this would pose a risk of both snagging and / or damage to vessels, gear and the Caithness Moray HVDC link.

 

This email serves as notification under condition 35 of licence 04368/18/2

 

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Floating LiDAR and Metocean Survey - Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm



Metocean instrumentation and a floating LiDAR system (FLS) have been deployed within the boundary of the proposed Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm Project site. All instrumentation was deployed by Green Rebel from the Port of Aberdeen to the site in February 2023 via the vessel BB Ocean (IMO 9196503, MMSI 258825000). MARINE USERS are requested to maintain a safe clearance distance of 500m from all assets. May 2023: Northern Guard Buoy no longer present, replacement process is ongoing.


All instrumentation is deployed at a single deployment location within the project site. The purpose of the instrumentation is to gather Metocean and wind data to inform the proposed Muir Mhor Offshore Wind Farm Project.

 

The FLS mooring comprises of a surface visible buoy moored to the seabed via a two-point mooring system constructed using a combination of rope and chain.  Two guard buoys are located at approximately 30m from the main FLS buoy in a North/South orientation, with the mooring spread covering an approximate 315m radius. There is also a seabed frame for current measurements contained within the overall deployment footprint, approximately 30m East of the main FLS buoy. Note: there are 2x orange polyform marker buoys located above the northern anchor position (detailed below) which will be removed during the first planned maintenance visit.

 

The FLS light characteristics are Fl (5) Y 20s with 5nm range. The guard buoys’ light characteristics are FI Y 5s with 3nm range and include a yellow St. Andrew’s Cross topmark. The FLS is designated as “Muir Mhor Floating Lidar” on AIS, with MMSI number 992351400.

 

Details of the surface visible buoy, guard buoys, seabed frame and mooring arrangement are provided in the attachments.

 

MARINE USERS are requested to maintain a safe clearance distance of 500m from all assets.

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Metocean buoy - Broadshore Offshore Wind Farm Site Investigation



Eolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 12 months.


Eolos has deployed two (2) Floating LiDAR Devices offshore Scotland for the acquisition of Wind and Metocean Data for a minimum period of 12 months.

 

The units deployed are:

  • 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.

 

 

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