1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the King's Harbour Master Portsmouth that during the period 20 - 22 September 2023 that various craft will be engaged in a MOD and industry partners Marine Trials in the Solent area.
2. Trials in the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth are planned in two areas: Browndown Beach and the approaches to Portsmouth Harbour, out to the vicinity of No Man’s Land Fort (see chartlet).
Trials Areas 20-22 September 2023
3. A variety of vessels will participate in the trials, including MAST-9, MAST-13, two Bladerunner 35s, KEV-IV, a number of Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and KITT and either Valkyrie 6 or 8 (the latter two acting as support craft). Vessels will be crewed at all times and will not be operating in any autonomous modes.
MAST-9
MAST-13
BLADERUNNER 35
KEV-IV
KITT
VALKRIE (6 or 8)
4. Trials at Browndown involve beach landings using RHIBs, and are planned to take place on 20 September, with a spare day on 21 September. All craft participating in the trial will obey the COLREGS throughout. Mariners are requested to keep clear of the beach zone during landing operations.
5. Trials in the Portsmouth Harbour approach area are planned for 21 and 22 September. These trials will involve vessels proceeding to and from the Fort Blockhouse and No Man’s Land Fort areas, both singly and in various formations. At all times, all participating craft will obey the COLREGS and observe the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth speed limit of 10 knots within 0.5 nautical miles of the Mean Low Water Springs line. Outside of the speed limit area, craft may proceed at higher speeds. For formation trials, the trials organisers will take care to plan courses that do not interact with other shipping. In the event of a formation developing a risk of a close-quarters situation with other craft, the formation lead will take early action to deconflict, if necessary aborting the trial.
6. For all trials, a number of small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) or “drones” will be used to record video data. These will remain clear of all non-involved vessels at all times.
7. Support boats will listen on VHF Channels 11 and 16 at all times, and all participating vessels will listen on VHF Channel 16 when underway.
8. Cancel this LNTM 25 September 2023.
Thursday 14 Sep 2023
N J RANDALL
King's Harbour Master
Owners, Agents, Charterers, Marinas, Yacht Clubs and Recreational Sailing Organisations should ensure that the contents of this Notice are made known to the masters or persons in charge of their vessels or craft.
