STOKES BAY UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL (USV) 11-15 APRIL 2022

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King's Harbour Master Portsmouth

LNTM No 43/22

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) trials will be conducted in the Stokes Bay area during the period 11-15 April 2022.

2. USV operations will be conducted in daylight only, with a safety vessel in attendance throughout. A small USV “C-Worker 5” will be undertaking Sea Acceptance Trials (SATS) in Stokes Bay. C-Worker 5 is a 6-metre craft, is coloured yellow and has a top speed of 6 knots. C-Worker 5 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 5 will be autonomously/remotely controlled, with the operator following the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) at all times.

C-Worker 5 

Valkyrie 6 

3. Trials will take place from approximately 1000 to 1500 on each day in the Stokes Bay area as shown below. C-Worker 5 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/Stokes Bay area: 

50°46’.684N 001°09’.463W 
50°46’.362N 001°09’.647W 
50°46’.765N 001°11’.398W 
50°47’.085N 001°11’.196W 

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

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 16 April 2022. 

Friday 01 Apr 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.