Diving and Cable Recovery Operations in the Eastern Solent January 2016

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN jointly by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that diving and cable recovery operations will be conducted from 4 January onwards to the east of the Portsmouth approach channel to recover two redundant cables prior to dredging operations in the areas.

2. The operations will take place near the main Portsmouth approach channel in an area to the east of a line drawn between Boyne Buoy and Horse Sand Buoy.

3. The operations will be carried out by the “YORKSHIRE LADY” which is a twin screw work boat (Landing Craft). She will be supported by a safety boat / support craft (RIB “MISTRAL”).

4. Diving operations will be conducted as required to support cable recovery operations which are expected to take no more than a few hours for each cable. During diving operations the “YORKSHIRE LADY” will be anchored and exceptionally the vessels are authorised to moor in this area. An exclusion zone of 150 metres is to be maintained during diving operations. If this is not possible for navigational safety reasons, then the vessel should be called on VHF in good time and where possible it should be passed at slow speed with minimal wash.

5. “YORKSHIRE LADY”will be continually watching channels 12 and 11 and will keep VTS Southampton and QHM Portsmouth fully informed of progress and position.

6. All mariners are requested to keep a good lookout and pass well clear. Operations will be indicated by the “YORKSHIRE LADY” displaying appropriate shapes (Ball-Diamond-Ball) or lights (Red-White-Red) along with Flag Alpha (when diving). All vessels involved will be listening to VHF Channel 11 and VHF Channel 12 throughout operations. Mariners are further reminded that “YORKSHIRE LADY” will be operating in the anchoring and fishing prohibited area and no other vessels are to be moored in this area.

7. Cancel this LNTM on 31 January 2016.