Further to our previous notice, mariners are reminded that marine survey works were due to commence along the Moyle Interconnector cable route on 23rd March 2015 as part of preparations for repair work on the cable route later this year. Survey work has been delayed by bad weather, and is now expected to begin next week (commencing 30th March 2015), weather permitting.
The nature of the inshore and offshore survey work is summarised below, along with links to Notices to Mariners about this work.
Inshore Survey Work
Inshore Survey work is due to take place in the shallow waters close to Currarie Port (near Ballantrae, Girvan, Scotland) and Portmuck South (near Larne, Islandmagee, Northern Ireland). The survey will be carried out by the vessel Titan Explorer.
Survey operations will involve geophysical (sonar) work and the deployment of a towed side-scan sonar and magnetometer array.
A notice to mariners describing this work has been issued by the survey company Gardline. This can be downloaded here.
Details of the survey vessel involved in these operations, along with her present location can be found on MarineTraffic.com via the links below:-
- Titan Explorer: Survey vessel | Call sign MZUZ2
During survey operations the Titan Explorer will be towing survey equipment and will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. All vessels operating within this area are asked to keep clear of Titan Explorer, 500m ahead and 1000m abeam and astern of the vessel.
Offshore Survey work
Offshore Survey work is due to start continue along the route between Currarie Port (near Ballantrae, Girvan, Scotland) and Portmuck South (near Larne, Islandmagee, Northern Ireland). The survey will be carried out by the vessel Ocean Reliance. Survey work was due to start at the Scottish end of the survey route on the 23rd March 2015 and to continue for 10-14 days (weather and tidal conditions permitting).
Survey operations will involve geophysical (sonar) work and the deployment of an ROV. The duration of the survey will be affected by the number of targets found along the route that require visual identification from the ROV.
A notice to mariners describing this work has been issued by the survey company Gardline. This can be downloaded here.
Details of the survey vessel involved in these operations, along with her present location can be found on MarineTraffic.com via the links below:-
- Ocean Reliance: Survey vessel | Call sign J8B2707
During survey operations the MV Ocean Reliance will be towing survey equipment and will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. All vessels operating within this area are asked to keep clear of MV Ocean Reliance, 500m ahead and 1000m abeam and astern of the vessel.
Please contact Jim Andrews, Fishery Liaison Officer by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865) if you have any queries or concerns about this notice.