[Update – the information in this notice has been superseded by more recent notices.  The notice remains as part of the historical record of notices issued for this project.  Please refer to the most recent notice for an up-to-date record of the notices presently in place for this project.  This can be accessed via the project description page here.]

This notice provides an update on progress with the installation of the Western HVDC Link cable in the Irish Sea and North Channel.

Mariners are advised that additional works are being carried out to the section of the Western HVDC Link cable south of the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea  A revised Notice to Mariners detailing these operations is summarised below and can be downloaded here.

Additional Works

The additional works will require the presence of the support vessel Normand Flower.

The work is being carried out to the south of the Isle of Man at the following locations:

• From: 053° 53.684′ N 004°29.735′ W
• To: 053°53.722′ N 004°28.825′ W

As part of these operations,  sections of spare cable have been surface laid between the following locations:-

• From: 053°52.609′ N 004°21.044′ W
• To: 053°52.971′ N 004°22.898′ W

The locations of these sections of surface laid cable are illustrated and listed in the Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.

Vessel details

Details of the vessels involved in these operations, along with their present location can be found on MarineTraffic.com via the links below:-

• Normand Flower: Multi Purpose Offshore Vessel | Call sign SYBE

The vessel will be monitoring VHF Channel 16 throughout the operations.

The vessel involved in this work will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre and other vessels are reminded to pass at a safe speed and distance.  Fishing vessels are advised to remain a safe distance (approximately 1.5 nautical miles) from the free laid sections and the crossing sections.  Deployed Guard Vessels will monitor the exposed areas and advise of safe distances locally.

Exposed cable locations

Mariners are advised that all cable burial and protection works have been completed on the Western HVDC Link route, with the exception of the area identified above, where additional works are being carried out.

Guard vessels

A guard vessel is currently monitoring the area where additional works are being carried out to the south of the Isle of Man.  All of the guard vessels on the remainder of the cable route have been demobilised.  This guard vessel is monitoring the area listed above.

Vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance and fishing vessels are advised to remain a safe distance (approximately 1.5 nautical miles) from the areas identified. The Guard Vessel that has been deployed will aid in monitoring the area and advise of safe distances locally.

Notices to Mariners

The Notices to Mariners that are presently in place for this project are:-

• Western HVDC Link: Additional Works, Irish Sea – this notice is described above.  It was issued on the 13th August 2017 and provides information about additional work on the cable route being carried out to the south of the Isle of Man.  The notice can be downloaded here.
• Debris – this notice was issued on the 15th March 2017.  It informs mariners of the location of some debris that was found during the Pre Lay Grapnel Run along the cable route to the south of the Isle of Man.  The notice can be downloaded here.
• Concrete mattressing – along the cable route concrete mattresses have been laid at crossings of existing cables and pipelines.  A notice to mariners about the mattressing campaign conducted in 2015 can be downloaded here.

Earlier notices are all rescinded.