Irish Sea Gas Interconnector: Shallow Water Surveys, July-August 2021

[Please note – this work has now been completed.  The Notice to Mariners has been withdrawn.  This information has been left on the website as part of the archive of published information for the project.]

Mariners are advised that shallow water survey work is due to be carried out along the two high pressure gas interconnector pipelines running between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man during July-August 2021.  A notice to mariners about these operations can be downloaded here and is summarised below.

Shallow water survey work

The survey vessel MV Titan Discovery will be conducting a detailed Multibeam Echosounder (“MBES”), Sidescan sonar (“SSS”) and Sub Bottom Profiler (“SBP”) inspection of the pipeline landfalls in Scotland (Kirkcudbright), Isle of Man (Glen Mooar) and Ireland (Loughshinny/Gormanston).  This shallow water survey will extend to a depth of approximately 10m.  Precise locations of the survey extent are provided in the Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded here.

The survey work is due to start on the 5th July 2021 at the Scottish landfall for a period of approximately 10 days.  The Isle of Man Spur landfall at Glen Mooar will be surveyed in late July, and the survey will finish in Ireland in August 2021.

All dates are subject to sea and weather conditions.  Updates on the schedule will be provided as the survey progresses.

Vessel details

Information about the location of the vessel carrying out this work can be found at the Marine Traffic website using the link below:-

The survey vessel will be displaying the relevant day shapes and night lights as specified by the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (“IRPCS”).  Towed gear will be operated from the vessel at a distance of approximately 50m from the vessel.

The vessel involved in this work may be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre and other vessels are reminded to pass at a safe speed and maintain a wide berth of at least 200m distance.

Further details about the survey vessel are given in the Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded here.

Additional information

The two Irish Sea Gas Interconnectors (“IC1” and “IC2”)are operated by Gas Networks Ireland (“GNI”).  A map of the GNI gas pipeline network is available here.  The two Irish Sea Interconnectors and the Isle of Man Spur were installed between 1992 and 2003.

GNI have produced a High Pressure Subsea Gas Pipeline Awareness leaflet (available here).  This leaflet shows the route of the pipelines, describes their structure and presents advice on hazards associated with them.

Notices to Mariners

The Notices to Mariners that have been issued for the survey of the GNI Pipelines are listed below:-

  1. Shallow water surveys: July-August 2021 – this is the notice described above.  It was issued on 29th June 2021.  It provides information on the pipeline survey work that is due to be carried out in shallow waters near to Scottish, Manx and Irish landfalls of the pipelines.  A link to the Notice can be accessed here.
  2. Offshore surveys: July-August 2021 – this is notice was issued on 9th July 2021.  It provides information on the offshore survey work that is due to take place between July and August 2021.  A summary and link to the Notice can be accessed here.
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