Mariners are advised that survey work is due to be carried out along part of the Western HVDC Link cable route by two XOCEAN Uncrewed Survey Vessels (USVs), X-05 Uncrewed and X-29 Uncrewed. The work is due to start in September 2026. A Notice to Mariners detailing these operations is summarised below and can be downloaded here.
Survey Work
XOCEAN will undertake a geophysical inspection survey of approximately 127km of the Western Link HVDC cable system from the south of the Isle of Man to its landfall at the Wirral, England.
The survey will be completed using two XOCEAN Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) equipped with Multibeam Echo Sounder (MBES) and towed Side Scan Sonar (SSS) systems.
The objective of the survey is to monitor cable burial status, seabed mobility, rock berms, concrete mattresses, cable crossings and associated seabed features identified during previous inspection campaigns
The location of the survey work is illustrated in a map in the Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.
Timing
The operations are due to begin on the 10th of September 2026 for a duration of 2 to 4 weeks. These dates are subject to weather and sea conditions over this period.
Vessel details
The two XOCEAN USVs measure 4.5m LOA, with a beam of 2.2m. Each USV is equipped with the following to make it conspicuous to other marine traffic:
- AIS
- VHF
- Navigation Lights & Sound Signal
- Active Radar Reflector
- Active monitoring from XOCEAN Operations Centre (XOC)
- Superstructure Painted Yellow
- Support vessel assistance when required
The USVs send real time images and situational awareness data over satellite to a team of operators keeping watch and controlling the vessel remotely 24/7. Seafarers are asked to avoid contact with the USVs and be aware of the operational area during this period.
Details of each USV and a link to its current location are provided below:
The USVs’ operations will be supported by crewed Support Vessels, the MV Elysse and Discovery. The support vessels will assist with navigating port limits and be on call to assist and potentially tow, in the unlikely event of a technical failure. The vessels will be based in the operational Carlingford or Beaumaris Port for the duration of survey activities and will be used for the following purposes:
- Providing an escort for the USV to exit and enter the harbour or port
- Assistance with manoeuvring in congested / heavily trafficked locations
- Site reconnaissance, checking for presence of fishing gear etc
- Carry out a tow of the USV back into port in the event of an emergency/technical issue
Details of each support vessel including a link to its current location are provided below:
- MV Elysse: support vessel | 11.02m LOA | white hull & superstructure | Call sign MEHW5
- Discovery: support vessel | 11m LOA | white hull & superstructure | Call sign EIYR4
Seafarers are kindly asked to provide a clearance of >500m from the USVs at all times when they are in operation. Particular caution should be exercised where towed survey equipment is deployed.