STOKES BAY UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL TRIALS 7-11 MARCH 2022

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King's Harbour Master Portsmouth

LNTM No 39/22

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) sea trials will be conducted in the Stokes Bay area during the period 7-11 March 2022.

2. USV operations will be conducted in daylight only with a safety vessel in attendance throughout. A small USV “Fugro FAS 902” will be undergoing Sea Acceptance Trials (SATs). Fugro FAS 902 is a 9-metre craft and is coloured Red/Black and has a top speed of 9 knots. Fugro FAS 902 will be accompanied by the Valkyrie 8, which will tow the craft from Trafalgar Wharf to/from the operating area and will act as the safety vessel for the Sea Trials and will intervene in the event of any safety issues. For the trials serials, Fugro FAS 902 will be remotely controlled, with the operator following the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times.

Fugro FAS 902

Valkyrie 8

3. Trials will take place from approximately 1100 to 1500 on each day in the Stokes Bay area as shown below. Fugro FAS 902 will only be operated in autonomous mode when in the area and the vessel operators have verified that the proposed trials are safe to continue.

Browndown/Stokes Bay area:
1. 50°46’.684N 001°09’.463W
2. 50°46’.362N 001°09’.647W
3. 50°46’.765N 001°11’.398W
4. 50°47’.085N 001°11’.196W

Stokes Bay trials area (Chart not to be used for navigation)

4. The safety vessel Valkyrie 8 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.

 

Friday 04 Mar 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.