Mariners are advised that survey operations are due to be carried out in the are between Rhyl and the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm off the North Wales coast during July 2021. A Notice to Mariners has been issued, which is summarised below and can be downloaded here.
Survey operations are due to start on the 26th July 2021 and to last for 7 days until 2nd August 2021, weather permitting.
Location
Hydrographic Survey work is due to be conducted between the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Windfarm and the coast. A map of the survey area is provided in the Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded here.
A map of the windfarm and export cable route is available from the Kingfisher website here.
Vessel details
The survey is to be carried out by the Unmanned Survey Vessel X-03 Uncrewed. The vessel details, including a link to its present location, are given below:-
- X-03 Uncrewed: Unmanned Survey Vessel (“USV”) | MMSI 232019976.
The USV is 4.5m long, has a beam of 2.2m, and an operating speed of up to 3.5 knots. A picture of the USV is provided in the Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.
The support RIB Maverick will escort the USV throughout the operations from the harbour entrance and will then continue transiting towards the survey site until the area is safe & clear of hazards.
The USV sends real time images and data over satellite to a team of operators keeping watch and controlling the vessel remotely 24 hours per day. It is equipped with AIS, navigation lights and sounds, an active radar reflector and has a yellow superstructure.
Seafarers are asked to avoid contact with the vessel and to be aware of the operational area during this period.
Further information about the survey vessel including emergency contact information is provided in the Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded here.
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.