1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN jointly by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth and ABP Southampton that as a requirement of the IFAC2 Cable Project the Route Survey remains ongoing, using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), in the eastern Solent and progressing to the English Channel. (Op previously issued on Portsmouth LNTM 54/18) The duration of the works will last up to approximately 31 October 2018 (weather permitting).
2. The survey works, carried out by MMT, will be 24 hours a day, using the 85 meter survey vessel ‘Edda Fonn’, call sign LMER3, and the ROV ‘Innovatum Smartsearch Gradiometer’. The ROV survey location is shown at figure 1.
Figure 1 – ROV Survey location
3. The Edda Fonn will undertake two separate tasks. For the initial 1-2 weeks the vessel will be towing ROV equipment along pre-determined survey lines within a 25m corridor of the main proposed route. The vessel’s speed will be approximately 1.5 knots and will have restricted manoeuvrability due to the in-water equipment. The ROV will be towed approximately 1-2m above the seabed.
4. The second phase of the project is to undertake video and magnetic searches of seabed targets identified by the survey campaigns. The Edda Fonn will remain stationary (on DP) during the investigation where the ROV shall be flown approximately 1-2m above the seabed, around an area of approximately 10 x 10m to identify the seabed target.
5. If the target is located below the seabed the ROV will start excavation operations – approximately 1m below the seabed.
6. Due to the restriction in the Edda Fonn’s ability to manoeuvre when conducting under-water survey operations, mariners are reminded of their responsibilities under the COLREGS and are requested to remain at a safe distance when passing.
7. The vessel will maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 11 (QHM Harbour Control) and 12 (VTS Southampton) throughout. QHM and VTS can be contacted over VHF or by calling 023 9272 3694 (QHM) or 023 8048 8800 (VTS).
8. Cancel this LNTM on 1 November 2018.
Thursday 18 Oct 2018
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.
