This is a summary of the weekly notice of operations for the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Windfarm issued on 25th March 2013 to harbour masters and sea users. This notice describes progress with construction, recent operations, work planned for the next 7 days, and provides a list of vessels operating on the site with their contact details.
Wind Farm Construction Status
Progress with construction is illustrated in a map here, and summarised below:-
- Monopiles: 80 installed, 80 remaining
- Transition pieces: 62 installed, 98 remaining
- Export cables: 1st cable (East) laid, due to be joined from 1st April 2013 (see notice here). 2nd cable (East) due to be laid from 1st April 2013 (see notice here).
- Array cables: work commenced on laying of first cable on 17th March 2013 (turbine H13G – J12G).
Navigation Hazards
There are presently a number of navigation hazards in and around the windfarm area. These include:-
- Unlit objects – there are presently 12 unlit monopiles within the windfarm boundary. Information about these hazards can be accessed here.
- Exposed monopiles – there are currently 18 exposed monopiles, which may be submerged at certain states of tide. These are detailed in our previous notice here.
The location of these hazards is shown in a map here.
Work carried out over past 7 days
The following work has been carried out in the past week:
- Friederich Ernestine has been continuing with drill, drive and transition piece installation after a port visit to base harbour, Birkenhead. Friederich Ernestine is currently at G71E.
- Penrhos Bay, Penrhyn Bay, Caernarfon Bay, Gardian, Gaillion, Chinook and Scirocco utilised as Crew Transfer Vessels when required and sailed from Liverpool Marina and Canada Dock 3.
- Colwyn Bay and Kinmel Bay utilised as Crew Transfer / Stand by vessel as required and based at Liverpool Marina.
- Isadale has continued to guard the export cable south of Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm.
- Fleur de Lys is currently standing by in Alexandra Dock.
- Normand Tonjer has continued diving operations and installed some pull-in frames ready for cable installation; she is currently in Liverpool due to poor weather over the past few days.
- Seatruck Pace continued deliveries of wind turbine generator parts to Mostyn.
- Polar Prince has been carrying out ROV surveys at the inter-array cable routes; she is currently in Liverpool due to the poor weather over the last few days.
- Whalsa Lass and support vessels continued installation of CTV pontoon at Base Harbour, Birkenhead.
Work planned for next 7 days
The work planned for the next 7 days on the site is:
- Friederich Ernestine will continue drill, drive and TP installation at G17E.
- Tremadoc Bay, Colwyn Bay, Kinmel Bay, Penryn Bay, Penhros Bay, Caernarfon Bay, Gardian, Gaillion, Chinook and Scirocco will be utilised as Crew Transfer / Stand by vessels running out of Liverpool Marina and Canada Dock, Liverpool.
- Normand Tonjer will continue diving operations including work with the Polar Prince to aid installation of array cables.
- Isadale will continue to guard the export cable south of Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm.
- Fleur de Lys will continue with Marine Mammal Observeration / guard duties as required.
- Polar Prince will continue with cable laying operations at Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm.
- Whalsa Lass and support vessels will continue installation of CTV pontoon at Base Harbour, Birkenhead.
List of vessels at site for next 7 days
The vessels that will be operating on the site over the next 7 days and their contact details are given below. We have linked up the vessel names to MarineTraffic.com so that with just one mouse click you can find out more about their current location and recent activity.
- Caernarfon Bay: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2FHG7
- Chinook: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2FFH2
- Colwyn Bay: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2CYE6
- Fleur de Lys: Marine Mammal Observation vessel | Call sign 2CRS3
- Friederich Ernestine: multi purpose offshore vessel | Call sign DIPC2
- Gaillion: Crew Transfer vessel | Call sign 2EON7
- Gardian: Crew Transfer vessel | Call sign 2DMP7
- Kinmel Bay: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2FDF9
- Normand Tonjer: Multi purpose offshore vessel | Call sign 2BEC9
- Isadale: Guard vessel | Call sign GPIV
- Penrhos Bay: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2DLB8
- Penrhyn Bay: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2EBK5
- Polar Prince: Offshore supply ship | Call sign LALX5
- Scirocco: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2FDR4
- Tremadoc Bay: Crew transfer vessel | Call sign 2FHG8
- Whalsa Lass: Utility vessel | Call sign 2EZQ4
All vessels will monitor VHF Channel 16.
Port Arrivals
The planned port arrivals over the next 7 days are:-
- Cammel Laird Birkenhead/Port of Liverpool.
- Coasters Joerg N, Bente, Marlene and Manual Access Platform (MAPs) delivery vessels will continue to deliver components to Base Harbour at Birkenhead on a regular basis.
- Construction vessels and support vessels may enter Liverpool at short notice to change crew and collect stores.
- Mostyn.
- Seatruck Pace will be arriving & departing on a regular basis delivering turbine components.
- Liverpool marina / Cammell Lairds wet basin / Canada Dock
- Tremadoc Bay, Colwyn Bay, Kinmel Bay, Penrhyn Bay, Penrhos Bay, Malltraeth Bay, Caernarfon Bay, Gardian, Gaillion, Chinook & Scirocco on a daily basis.
Please contact Jim Andrews, Fishery Liaison Officer by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865) if you have any queries or concerns about these activities.