PORTCHESTER LAKE UNCREWED SURFACE VESSEL TRIALS 14 DECEMBER 2022

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the King’s Harbour Master Portsmouth that Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) trials will be conducted in the Portchester Lake area during the period 14-15 December 2022.

2. USV operations will be conducted in daylight only with a safety vessel in attendance throughout. A small USV “C-Worker 74” will be undertaking Sea Acceptance Trials (SATs) in Portchester Lake (South). C-Worker 74 is a 7 metre craft, is coloured yellow and has a top speed of 6 knots. C-Worker 74 will be accompanied by Valkyrie 6, which will tow the craft from/to Trafalgar Wharf to the operating area and will act as the safety vessel for the Sea Trial.  The trial staff operators embarked in Valkyrie 6 will intervene in the event of any safety issues. For the trials serials, C-Worker 74 will be remotely/automomously controlled, with the operator following the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times.

Valkyrie 6

3. Trials will take place from approximately 1300 to 1530 on 14 December in the Portchester Lake area as shown below. 15 December is available as a spare day but is unlikely to be used. C-Worker 74 will only be operated in remote/autonomous mode when in the area. The trial staff manning the safety boat have verified that the proposed mini Sea Acceptance Trial is safe to continue.

The Trials area will be the Southern portion of Portchester Lake bounded by the North and Southern Latitude lines and the yellow boxed areas. 

• N50 49.911
• N50.58.732

Additionally, dependent on the height of tide, the yellow boxed areas may be stretched laterally as navigable water for CW74 allows

Portchester Lake trials area (Chart not to be used for navigation)

4. The safety vessel Valkyrie 6 will be listening on VHF Ch 11, Ch 12 and 16. Where possible, trials vessels will maintain a 200-metre separation from other craft, and trial runs will be modified or aborted if a close-quarters situation is developing. 

5. All trials vessels will obey the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times. 

6. Cancel this LNTM on 16 December 2022.