Towed Array Deployment 14 March 2016

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King's Harbour Master Portsmouth

LNTM No 20/16

  1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that a Towed Array Sonar will be deployed in the Spithead area during the morning of 14 March 2016.
  2. The sonar is a 400 metre long neutrally buoyant large diameter cable that is trailed behind a submarine. Once deployed to the client submarine, the total length of the unit will be close to 500 metres.
  3. The foreign submarine is due to sail from Portsmouth at 0900 on 14 March, and will transit to the vicinity of “Charlie” Anchorage in the eastern Solent. It will then turn and make a slow transit to the south east at approximately 2 kts. The sonar will then be deployed from a Serco Tug, supported by various smaller support craft. It is expected that the deployment will take approximately one hour.
  4. Once deployment is complete, the submarine will depart the Solent to the east, transitting on the surface. Support craft will return to Portsmouth.
  5. Mariners are to keep well clear of the submarine and its support craft during the deployment operation and ensure that wash is minimised. Throughout the deployment, vessels are to avoid passing close astern of the submarine, maintaining at least 600 yards clearance astern. All vessels involved will be listening on VHF Channels 11 and 12 throughout the operation. QHM may be contacted on 02392 723689 for the latest information.
  6. Cancel this LNTM on 15 March 2016.


S O Hopper
Queen'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.