EASTERN SOLENT ASV TRIALS 31 JANUARY – 9 FEBRUARY 2022

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King's Harbour Master Portsmouth

LNTM No 22/22

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) trials will be conducted in the eastern Solent between 31 January and 9 February 2022.

2. ASV operations will be conducted in daylight only with a safety vessel in attendance throughout. Two ASVs, callsigns MAST 9 and MAST 13 will be used for the trials. MAST 9 will be used on 31 January and both craft will be used in the period 8-9 February. MAST 9 is a 8.8m long craft, and MAST 13 is a 12m long craft. Although both vessels will be operated in remote and autonomous control as part of the trial, they will both be manned at all times. Embarked crew will be able to intervene at any time to ensure safety of the vessels and other craft in the vicinity. The vessels will be accompanied by the VALKYRIE 8, which will act as the control vessel for the trials as well as acting as safety vessel.

MAST 9

MAST 13

VALKYRIE 8

3. Trials will take place from approximately 1100 to 1500 on each day. Three areas have been designated as shown in the diagrams and area selection will depend on weather conditions and traffic density. VALKYRIE 8 will report to QHM which area is to be used. Each area is approximately 1.5km x 1.5 km, the corners of which are as follows:

Area 1 – Osborne Bay

50 45.461N 001 13.717W                   
50 45.200N 001 12.250W
50 44.745N 001 12.850W
50 45.028N 001 14.000W 

Area 2 – Hayling Bay

50 45.974N 001 03.717W                   
50 45.974N 001 02.230W
50 45.322N 001 02.230W 
50 45.322N 001 03.717W 

Area 3 – Ryde

50 45.350N 001 11.587’W
50 45.350N 001 10.258’W
50 44.551N 001 10.258’W
50 44.551N 001 11.587’W

4. The safety vessel will be listening on VHF Ch 11, Ch 12 and 16. Where possible, trials vessels will maintain a 400m separation from other craft, and trials runs will be modified or aborted if a close-quarters situation is developing. During trials, the MAST vessels will be limited to 10kts. Higher speeds may be used when on transit when the vessels are more than 1000 yards from shore.

5. All trials vessels will obey the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times. 

6. LNTM 21/22 is hereby superseded. Cancel this LNTM on 10 February 2022

 

Monday 31 Jan 2022

N J RANDALL
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.