1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the King's Harbour Master Portsmouth that an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) Test and Acceptance trial will be conducted in the Solent Areas during the period 30 January – 3 February 2023.
2. USV operations will be conducted in daylight only with a safety vessel in attendance throughout. A small USV “FAS 901” will be undertaking a Test and acceptance trial. FAS 901 is a 9 metre craft, is coloured red and has a top speed of 8 knots while undertaking survey works. FAS 901 will be accompanied by Valkyrie 8, which will tow the craft from/to Trafalgar Wharf to the operating areas and will act as the safety vessel for the demonstration. The staff operators embarked in Valkyrie 8 will intervene in the event of any safety issues. For the demonstration serials, FAS 901 will be remotely/autonomously controlled, with the operators following the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times.
Fig 1. FAS 901
Fig 2. Valkyrie 8
3. The Test and Acceptance trials will take place from approximately 0800 to 1600 on each day in the Solent area, off Browndown or the backup areas of Roway Wreck or Osborne Bay, as shown below. FAS 901 will be operated in remote/ autonomous mode only when in the area. For transit to and from the demonstration area FAS 901 will be taken under tow by Valkyrie 8 The trial staff manning the safety boat have verified that the proposed testing is safe to continue.
Fig 3.
Fig 3. Browndown/Stokes Bay area:
50°47’.35N 001°12’.00W
50°46’.85N 001°09’.55W
50°46’.40N 001°09’.75W
50°46’.90N 001°12’.20W
Fig 4.
Fig 4. Osbourne Bay Area:
50°45’.70N 001°14’.70W
50°45’.25N 001°12’.40W
50°44’.75N 001°12’.70W
50°45’.30N 001°14’.80W
Fig 5.
Fig 5. Roway Wreck Area:
50°46’.00N 001°03’.70W
50°46’.00N 001°01’.20W
50°45’.20N 001°01’.20W
50°45’.20N 001°03’.70W
4. The safety vessel Valkyrie 8 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 4 February 2023.
Friday 27 Jan 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.
