Mariners are advised that rock placement work on the Moyle Interconnector cables is due to start in September 2015. A Notice to Mariners has been issued for this work, detailing the schedule of work. This notice can be downloaded here and is briefly summarised below.
Rock Placement
The first of the two Moyle Returns cables was installed between the 4th and 13th August 2015. Cable burial work was carried out after installation. Rock placement is being used to protect the cable at locations where cable burial has not been possible, in accordance with the cable protection plan for the project.
The schedule for rock placement was announced in the previous Notice to Mariners issued in July, and can now be confirmed:-
Nearshore rock placement
Survey work by the vessel Smit Neyland is due to commence near the Scottish landfall on 9th September 2015. Rock placement works are due to start on 11th September 2015, weather permitting. This work is due to be completed by the 10th October 2015.
Rock placement works will be carried out by a split barge, with a rock coaster and works boat supporting the rock placement activities.
Offshore rock placement
The fall-pipe vessel Seahorse is due to commence operations on or around the 13th September, and due to finish work on or around the 25th September 2015.
Vessel details
Details of the vessel involved in these operations, along with their present locations can be found on MarineTraffic.com via the link below:-
- Seahorse: Rock Placement Vessel | Call sign PCAP
- Smit Neyland: Survey vessel | Call sign VQGN5
Whilst the vessels working on this project are conducting the rock placement and supporting operations, they will be Restricted in the Ability to Manoeuvre. All vessels operating within the area are asked to keep clear of the vessels, 500 metres ahead, 1000 metres abeam and astern of the vessel to maintain a safe distance.
During operations the vessels will display the appropriate day shapes/signals and at times of reduced visibility the appropriate lights as required by the IRPCS. The vessels will also actively transmit an AIS signal. A continuous listening watch will be maintained on VHF Channel 16 and 12 DSC.
Guard vessels
Guard vessels will be stationed as appropriate along the cable routed during installation and burial to ensure the safety of marine users. These vessels are being supplied by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO).
Future work
Work on the protection of the first (north) cable is due to be completed by the 10th October 2015.
The laying of the south cable is currently scheduled to start on the 18th October 2015 and all protection work on this cable is due to be completed by 13th January 2016 (weather and conditions permitting). An update on this second phase of the project will be provided in future bulletins.
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. (Between the dates of 22nd July and 8th August, please contact Eric Houston, either by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7771-373109).