Western HVDC Link: Shallow water survey work, August-September 2021

Mariners are advised that shallow water survey work is due to be carried out along the Western HVDC Link cable route in shallow waters of Ardneil Bay in the Firth of Clyde and off the Wirral in Liverpool Bay during August  – September 2021.  A notice to mariners about these operations can be downloaded here and is summarised below.

Shallow water survey work

A geophysical survey of the shallow water extent of the installed Western Link cables is due to be carried out by Fugro GB Marine Ltd using the survey vessel Valkyrie in the shallow water as follows.

  • Ardneil Bay, Firth of Clyde – survey work is due to start on the 26th August 2021 and to be completed by the 6th September 2021 (subject to weather conditions);
  • Liverpool Bay, off the Wirral – survey work is due to start on 6th September and to be completed by 15th October 2021 (subject to weather conditions).

Full details of the location and extent of this work can be found in the Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.

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:-

  • Valkyrie: Research / survey vessel | Call sign 2BWA9

The survey vessel will operate on a 12 hour basis, and during survey work may be towing equipment up to 100m behind the vessel.  Throughout survey operations the vessel will be displaying the appropriate lights and shapes as required under the COLREGS Rule 27(b).

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 300m distance.

Notices to Mariners

The Notices to Mariners that are presently in place for the Western HVDC Link project are:-

  • Western HVDC Link: Shallow water survey work – Firth of Clyde, & Liverpool Bay August-September 2021 – this notice is described above.  It was issued on the 18th August 2021 and provides information about upcoming survey work on the shallow water cable in Ardneil Bay, Firth of Clyde and off the Wirral in Liverpool Bay.  The Notice to Mariners can be downloaded here.

Earlier notices are all rescinded.

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