Mariners are advised that Minesto UK Ltd has started commissioning operations for the Deep Green DG500 tidal energy converter off the coast of Anglesey, North Wales. Details of these operations and the vessels that will be involved with them are provided in a Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here and which is summarised below.
Installation complete
All sub surface components for the Deep Green project have been successfully installed on site, and an offshore support buoy has been installed. The location of these components is listed here:-
- MGS Offshore Support Buoy: 53° 17.7957′ N 004° 47.7582’W
- Gravity Base Structure: 53° 17.8309’N 004° 47.9558’W
The only part of the installation that is visible from the surface is the MGS Offshore Support Buoy. This is a yellow structure, 7m high and 6m in diameter with a draft of 10m. It is held in position by 3 x 800m mooring lines which are close to the surface out to 20m of the buoy.
The location of the buoy and a photograph showing its appearance is shown in the Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded here.
Vessels are strongly advised not to approach the MGS Buoy. Access to the MGS Buoy is strictly prohibited. CCTV is in operation to monitor the buoy.
Safety zone
A safety zone of 500m on the sea surface is established on the MGS Offshore Support Buoy. All vessels are asked to give a wide berth to the MGS Buoy and any vessels working on site.
The MGS Buoy will display a fixed, all round, white light during the hours of darkness.
Update – 12th July 2018: The MGS Buoy is showing a YELLOW FLASHING LIGHT Fl(4) 15s.
Commissioning Programme
Minesto have commenced a commissioning programme of the Deep Green DG500 tidal energy converter. Although the majority of the trials will take place within the 500m safety zone, initial trials may take place in an area to the north of Holyhead breakwater.
Vessels
The vessels that will be conducting the commissioning trials are listed below, along with a link to the vessel details on the MarineTraffic website:-
- Voe Vanguard: Tug | Call sign MBEN9
- Lynas Shuttle: Port Tender / Crew Transfer Vessel | Call sign GCHK
The Voe Vanguard will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre during these operations, and will display appropriate day marks and lights.
Background: Holyhead Deep Project
Holyhead Deep is the starting point for developing Minesto’s unique “Deep Green” marine technology at a commercial scale. It will be the first low-velocity tidal energy project in the world.
The development of tidal energy production at Holyhead Deep is due to be done in phases. The first step will be the installation of one 0.5MW “Deep Green” demonstrator during 2018. Following deployment and testing, the ambition is to install further Deep Green devices to a commercial demonstration array of up to 10MW installed capacity.
Further information about Minesto, the “Deep Green” technology and Holyhead Deep can be found on the Minesto website 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.