Mariners are advised that geophysical survey operations are due to be carried out by the vessel Ramform Vanguard for the proposed Awel y Môr Offshore Windfarm off the coast of North Wales from May to July 2026. A Notice to Mariners about these operations is summarised below and can be downloaded here.
Survey operations
The vessel Ramform Vanguard is due to be carrying out geophysical survey works within and around the proposed array area for the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm between the 25th of May and 25th of July 2026, subject to weather and sea conditions.
During this survey the Ramform Vanguard will deploy towed equipment that may extend approximately 350m behind the stern of the vessel.
The area of operations includes a deployment and recovery corridor that extends to the north west of the survey area. The extent of this corridor is show in the Notice to Mariners. This corridor will be used occasionally, for initial deployment of equipment, incidental troubleshooting, and recovery of equipment.
Vessel details
Ramform Vanguard is a Research / Survey Vessel and is sailing under the flag of the Bahamas. Her length overall (LOA) is 86.2 metres and her width is 39.63 metres. She has a red hull and a white superstructure. The vessel details and a link to its present location are given below:
- Ramform Vanguard: Survey vessel | Call sign C6JF5
When operating at the survey locations the vessel will be manoeuvering and engaged in recovering and deploying equipment so will be restricted in the ability to manoeuvre.
Mariners are requested to observe a safe working distance of 1000m when the Ramform Vanguard is performing towed survey activities, and to observe a distance of at least 500m when the vessel is manoeuvring into position to prevent negative interactions with sea users or their equipment.
All mariners are requested to contact project Marine Coordination and monitor VHF CH16 when navigating or operating in the vicinity of the survey area.
Further information about the survey area and vessel details are available in the Notice to Mariners which can be downloaded here.
Notices to Mariners
The notices to mariners relating to the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm that are currently active are listed here:-
- Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm: Geotechnical Survey Operations, May-June 2026: this notice was issued on April 30th. It provides information on the geotechnical survey operations (Cone Penetrating Tests, Seismic Cone Penetrating Tests and Vibrocoring) that are being carried out by the survey vessel Connector between the 12th of May and 15th of June 2026. The notice to Mariners can be accessed here.
- Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm: Geophysical Survey Operations, May-July 2026: this is the notice described above. It was issued on 8th of May 2026 and describes the geophysical survey operations due to be carried out by the survey vessel Ramform Vanguard between the 25th of May and 25th of July 2026. The notice to Mariners can be accessed here.
Please contact Jim Andrews, Fishery Liaison Officer by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865) if you have any queries or concerns about this notice.