[Update – the work described below has now been completed. This 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 force for this project. This can be accessed via the project description page here.]
Work on the installation of the first deep water cable of the Western HVDC Link in the Irish Sea between the Wirral and the Firth of Clyde recommenced in July 2015. This notice provides a further update to mariners about progress with this project.
A Notice to Mariners was issued in May and an updated version can be downloaded here. A summary of the notice and an update on the cable laying schedule is provided below.
Cable Installation Schedule
Cable installation recommenced on the 6th July 2015. This work is being carried out by the cable laying vessel Giulio Verne, accompanied by the vessel Go Pegasus. During cable laying operations, the Go Pegasus will follow the Giulio Verne at a distance of approximately 500m, and will tow a cable burial plough, providing for simultaneous burial.
When operations recommenced, a section of cable was joined to the cable that was layed in 2014 to a distance approximately 37km from the Wirral. Now that the cables are joined, work is progressing towards the Isle of Man for about 120km, and is due to be completed in September 2015. This cable laying campaign is the first of two along this route. The next cable is due to be layed along this route between November – December 2015.
The cables will not be buried where they cross existing cables or pipelines. At these crossings, guard vessels shall monitor the cable until appropriate post-lay protection (with concrete mattresses or rock placement) can be installed. The cable crossing locations are:-
- Hibernia Cable: 53°45.058’N 003° 48.853’W
- Sirius South Cable: 53° 43.574’N 003°48.733’W
- ESAT2 Cable: 53° 42.492’N 003° 48.646’W
- PL1030 Pipeline: 53° 31.491’N 003° 34.852’W
- PL1032/1033 Pipeline: 53° 31.490’N 003° 34.840’W
(Note: all positions referenced to WGS84 datum).
Mariners shall be advised of any other locations where cable burial is not possible due to seabed conditions.
Please note that installation dates are approximate and could be affected by project progress and weather conditions.
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:-
- Giulio Verne: Cable layer | Call sign IBPU
- Go Pegasus: Tug / supply vessel | Call sign V7CE4
Vessels will be monitoring VHF Channel 16 throughout the operation.
The vessels involved in this work will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre and other vessels are reminded to navigate with caution in their vicinity and pay strict attention to instructions issued to them by navigation authorities.
Guard vessels
Guard vessels will be stationed as appropriate along the cable route during installation and burial to ensure the safety of marine users.
Notices to Mariners
The Notices to Mariners currently issued for this project are:-
- Deep Water Cable Installation – this is being carried out by the vessel Giulio Verne, starting in July 2015. The Notice to Mariners 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 earlier this year can be downloaded here.
If you have any queries about the Western Link project, please contact Jim Andrews, Fisheries Liaison Officer by e-mail or by phone on +44(0)7908-225865.