9.6.2 Incidents Involving Non-UK Offshore Wind Farms
- It is acknowledged that collision and allision incidents involving non-UK offshore wind farm developments have also occurred. However, it is not possible to maintain a comprehensive list of such incidents.
- One high profile non-UK incident of note is that involving a bulk carrier in January 2022 which dragged anchor during a storm in Dutch waters and collided with another anchored vessel. The vessel began to take on water, leading to all crew members being evacuated by helicopter. The vessel then continued to drift towards shore, including though an under-construction offshore wind farm, where it allided with a wind turbine foundation and a platform foundation before being taken under tow.
9.6.3 Incidents Responded to by Vessels Associated with UK Offshore Wind Farms
- From news reports, basic web searches and experience at working with existing offshore wind farm developments, a list has been collated of historical incidents responded to by vessels associated with UK offshore wind farm developments, which is summarised in Table 9.2.
- Table 9.2 comprises known incidents that were responded to by a wind farm vessel. Additional incidents associated with the construction or operation of offshore wind farms are also known to have occurred. These incidents typically involve an accident to person which requires medical attention (including emergency response) but does not affect the operation of the vessel involved.
Table 9.2: Historical Incidents Responded to by Vessels Associated with UK Offshore Wind Farm Developments
Incident Type | Date | Related Development | Description of Incident | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Capsize | 21 June 2018 | Walney Offshore Wind Farm | HMCG issued mayday relay broadcast following trimaran capsize. Support vessel for Walney arrived and recovered two persons from the water who were then winched onboard a SAR helicopter. | Web search (4C Offshore, 2018) |
Capsize | 05 November 2018 | Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm | Fishing vessel capsized resulting in two persons in the water. Vessel operating at the nearby Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm reported to have assisted with the rescue which also involved a Belgian military helicopter and the RNLI. | Web search (British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 2018) |
Vessel in distress | 15 May 2019 | London Array Offshore Wind Farm | Yacht in difficulty sought shelter by tying up to a wind turbine but suffered damage and a person in the water. Support vessel for London Array Offshore Wind Farm identified and secured the casualty vessel and recovered the person in the water. The support vessel raised the alarm to HMCG. HMCG later instructed the support vessel to return to port and seek medical assistance for the casualty vessel’s occupant. | Web search (The Isle of Thanet News, 2019) |
Drifting | 07 July 2019 | Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm | Speedboat suffered mechanical failure stranding four persons. Support vessel for Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm responded to an ‘all-ships’ broadcast from the HMCG and prevented the casualty vessel drifting into the Gwynt y Môr array. The support vessel later towed the casualty vessel back towards port. | Web search (Renews, 2019) |
Machinery failure | 28 September 2019 | Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm | Fishing vessel suffered mechanical failure and launched flares. Guard vessel and SOV for Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm both immediately offered assistance until the MCA’s arrival on-scene. | Internal daily progress report received by Anatec |
Vessel in distress | 13 December 2019 | Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm | Passing vessel got into difficulty and guard vessel for Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm was requested to assist. The HMCG later requested that the guard vessel tow the casualty vessel into port. | Internal daily progress report received by Anatec |
Search | 21 May 2020 | Walney Offshore Wind Farm | HMCG contacted guard vessel for Walney Offshore Wind Farm reporting red flare sighting at the offshore wind farm. Guard vessel proceeded to undertake search but did not find anything to report. | Internal daily progress report received by Anatec |
Aircraft crash | 15 June 2020 | Hornsea Project One | United States (US) jet crashed into sea during routine flight. CTV and SOV for Hornsea Project One joined the search for the missing pilot. | Web search (4C Offshore, 2020) |
Fire/ explosion | 15 December 2020 | Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm | Fishing vessel experienced explosions on board with crew injured. SOV for Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm deployed its Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) and evacuated the casualty vessel. | Web search (Offshore WIND, 2020) |
Vessel in distress | 03 July 2021 | Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm | Wind farm CTV fire alarm sounded, with the engine then shut down. A support vessel for Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm was able to assist in escorting the vessel to port. | Web search (Vessel Tracker, 2021) |
Drifting | 17 July 2021 | Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm | Small dinghy with two children aboard drifted offshore due to strong winds. A guard vessel associated with Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm was able to retrieve the children. | Web search (Edinburgh Evening News, 2021) |
Allision | 09 June 2022 | Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm | Fishing vessel allided with a wind turbine at Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm. A supply vessel was among the responders as a RNLI lifeboat escorted the vessel under its own power to port. | Web search (Vessel Tracker, 2022) |