[Please note that this survey work was completed on the 6th January 2024 – the information below is presented as a record of information circulated prior to the survey operations.]
Mariners are advised that offshore 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 December 2023.
UPDATE, JANUARY 2024: stormy weather in December 2023 has delayed progress with this survey. All of the survey work in Irish waters has now been completed. The survey of the pipelines to the west and north of the Isle of Man is due to be completed in January 2024. This work is likely to continue until at least the 11th of January 2024.
If the stormy weather pattern persists then it is possible that the survey will not be completed until the 20th of January. The survey team are working hard to complete the survey as swiftly and safely as possible and to minimise inconvenience to mariners in the area.
A Notice to Mariners about these operations was issued in November. Although the dates have changed, the vessel details and area of operations are correct. This Notice can be downloaded here and is summarised below.
Offshore survey work
The survey vessel 4Winds will be conducting a geophysical and ROV survey of the pipelines in waters deeper than 10m below LAT. The survey campaign will include the Isle of Man “Tee” junction that is situated at a depth of 30m below LAT at this location:-
- Isle of Man “Tee”: 54º 20′ 30.83″N 004° 44′ 29.01″W
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 4th December 2023. The survey is due to be completed by the end of December 2023.
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:-
- 4Winds: Research / survey vessel | Call sign 3E6084
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.
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 500m 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
[Please note that all survey work is now complete – the information below is presented as a record of information circulated prior to the survey operations.]
The Notices to Mariners that have been issued for the survey of the GNI Pipelines are listed below:-
- Offshore surveys: December 2023 – this is the notice described above. It provides information on the offshore survey work that is due to take place during December 2023. The notice can be downloaded here.
- Shallow water surveys: November-December 2023 – this notice was issued on 3rd November 2023. It provides information on the pipeline survey work that is due to be carried out in shallow waters near to Scottish and Irish landfalls of the pipelines. A summary and link to the Notice can be accessed here.