This is a progress report for mariners about the marine geophysical survey work being conducted in the North Channel over both of the Moyle Interconnector Cables and also the Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline.
This survey work started in September 2022 and is now expected to extend until 6th November 2022. The original Notice to Mariners describing the work can be downloaded here and progress is summarised below.
Survey work
Survey work has been carried out on the route of the Moyle Interconnector cables, the Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline (SNIP) in the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland; and also along the route of the Larne Lough Crossing and Belfast Lough Crossing pipelines.
The location of the survey area is illustrated in the Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.
Schedule
There were two aspects to this survey, one of which has been completed and the other that is still ongoing. They are summarised below
- Nearshore survey work – this survey has all been completed by the vessel Deep Marker between the shore (MHWS) to a depth of 15m below LAT in the North Channel and also within Lough Larne and Belfast Lough.
- Offshore survey – this survey is ongoing, and the vessel Noordhoek Pathfinder is conducting this work. It is surveying each asset individually. The vessel will survey inshore as far as a depth of 10m below LAT. Most of this work is now completed and the survey is due to be concluded on 6th November 2022.
All of these dates and durations may change, subject to weather and sea 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:-
- Nearshore survey: Deep Marker | Call sign PDXJ
- Offshore survey: Noordhoek Pathfinder | Call sign PBYN
All mariners are requested to maintain a safe distance (500m) from the survey vessels at all times.
The vessels will monitor VHF Channel 16 at all times and can be contacted on this channel.
Please contact Neil Johnston, who is the Moyle Cable project lead (neil.johnston@mutual-energy.com); or Ryan West, who is the SNIP project lead (ryan.west@mutual-energy.com) if you have any queries or concerns about this notice.