[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.]
Mariners are advised that operations for the Western HVDC landfall at Ardneil will commence in early April 2015. A Notice to Mariners advising about the timetable for operations can be downloaded here and is summarised below. The previous Notice to Mariners about these works (issued on 10th November 2014) is superseded.
Installation of pipe
Two large plastic pipes (620m long and 450mm in diameter) will be used to route the HVDC cable under the beach and golf course at Ardneil. One of these pipes was successfully installed in November 2014, and the other pipe will be installed in April 2015.
On the 4th or 5th April 2015 (weather permitting) a work barge, the LM Constructor (MMSI 8522559, Call Sign MHUJ2), will take up station in Ardneil Bay. The LM Constructor’s tow tug is the Green Chief (MMSI 235075142, Call Sign 2CRL5).
The pipe will be towed from Hunterston to Ardneil Bay using the vessel Vital (MMSI 235075142, Call Sign 2AAD3) as the lead tug and the Jetstar (MMSI 235022933, Call Sign MKFU5) will take control of the tail end of the pipe. The pipe is painted front end and tail and every 50m in between with a 500mm wide yellow “ribbon” of radar reflecting yellow paint.
The pipe will be positioned alongside the LM Constructor prior to being installed into a pre-drilled borehole from Ardneil Bay to an onshore position landwards of West Kilbride Golf Course.
The LM Constructor will demobilise to Troon after installation of the pipe and during periods of bad weather.
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:-
- Vital: Tug | Call sign 2AAD3
- Jetstar: Tug | Call sign MKFU5
- LM Constructor: work barge | Call sign 2G519
- Green Chief: Tug | Call sign 2CRL5
Vessels will be monitoring VHF Channel 12 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 Hunterston Port.
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.