1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) with an embarked Falcon Remote Operated Vessel (ROV), will be undertaking sea trials in the Stokes Bay area during the period 7-11 March 2022.
2. USV/ROV operations will be conducted in daylight only and at one hour before to one hour after High Water, with a safety vessel in attendance throughout. A small USV C-Worker 74 will be undertaking Sea Trials with an embarked ROV. C-Worker 74 is a 7-metre craft, is coloured yellow and has a top speed of 6 knots. C-Worker 74 will be accompanied by Valkyrie 6, which will tow the craft from/to Trafalgar Wharf to the operating area and will act as the safety vessel for the Sea Trial. The trial staff operators embarked in Valkyrie 6 will intervene in the event of any safety issues. For the trials serials, C-Worker 74 will be autonomously/remotely controlled, with the operator following the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times.
C-Worker 74 Falcon ROV Image of ROV deployed
Valkyrie 6
3. Trials will take place from approximately 1200 to 1630 on each day in the Stokes Bay area as shown below. C-Worker 74 will be operated in remote/autonomous mode when in the trials areas. The trial staff manning the safety boat will verify that the proposed Sea Trial is safe to continue.
Browndown trials area at Stokes Bay (Chart not to be used for navigation)
50°46.860N 001°11.115 W
50°46.654N 001°10.398 W
50°46.271N 001°10.530 W
50°46.532N 001°11.657 W
Gilkicker trials area at Stokes Bay (Chart not to be used for navigation)
50°46.300N 001°09.000W
50°46.300N 001°08.600W
50°46.200N 001°09.000W
50°45.204N 001°08.600W
4. The safety vessel Valkyrie 6 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 12 March 2022.
Monday 28 Feb 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.
