2. Navigational Safety Measures During Construction

  1. The following sections present the navigational safety measures that will be implemented during the construction phase of the Array.

2.1. Temporary Lighting and Marking

  1. The Lighting and Marking Plan (LMP) (outline LMP provided in volume 4, appendix 26) sets out the precise details of the lighting and marking of the Array.
  2. [Details of statutory sanction to be noted here post-consent (if applicable)].

2.2. Guard Vessels

  1. Guard vessels may be required for the Array, at particular times, for example when vessels are particularly vulnerable due to partially completed works or a particular construction activity. During these periods, the construction area will be monitored by guard vessel(s) to further protect the area and to provide additional information to third-party vessels.
  2. The decision(s) on when to use a guard vessel will be informed by a risk assessment of the activities.
  3. A guard vessel may also be required to monitor safety zones noting this will be further assessed as part of the safety zone application (see section 2.3).

2.3. Construction Safety Zones

  1. Section 95 and Schedule 16 of the Energy Act 2004 set out the basic requirements for applying for a safety zone to be placed around or adjacent to an Offshore Renewable Energy Installation (OREI). The Electricity (Offshore Generating Substations) (Safety Zones) (Applications Procedures and Control of Access) Regulation 2007 clarify the requirements for applications which applies to territorial waters in or adjacent to Scotland and within the Renewable Energy Zone.
  2. It is noted that as of 1 April 2017, the application process for safety zones within Scottish waters has been devolved from the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) (now Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)) to MD-LOT. An application will be made to MD-LOT accompanied by a layout plan, a summary of the construction programme and construction method statement documents, and the proposed methodologies for notifying relevant stakeholders and monitoring safety zone compliance.

2.4. Marine Coordination

  1. [Specific details of the marine coordination function to be included here post-consent].

2.5. Cable Laying and Other RAM Operations

  1. Restricted in their ability to manoeuvre (RAM) vessels will be utilised during inter-array and interconnector cable installation works, heavy lifting operations and for the towing of integrated floating wind turbines from port to the Array. RAM vessels are those restricted in their ability to manoeuvre as a result of the nature of the work they are undertaking and therefore are restricted in avoiding an approaching vessel(s). All RAM vessels involved in the construction of the Array will comply with the Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) (International Maritime Organization (IMO), 1972/77). All vessels, regardless of their nationality, are required to comply with this convention to ensure that they do not interact with vessels that are restricted in their navigational ability.
  2. RAM vessels will display lights and shapes to indicate their restrictions. They will transmit safety warnings on Very High Frequency (VHF) to inform other vessels of their actions using the ‘Securité’ message if the messages contain important information relating to navigation. Communications between RAM vessels and the Marine Coordination Centre will be ongoing throughout the operations.
  3. RAM vessels will comply with vessel type regulation information transmitted through Automatic Identification System (AIS) and show current navigational status at all times to ensure other vessels equipped with AIS can identify that they are RAM.
  4. Cable laying activities will also be promulgated through the notification procedure, and, if necessary, following internal risk assessment, guard vessels may be employed during the cable laying period.

2.6. Emergency Response Cooperation Plan (ERCoP)

  1. As required under Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 654 (Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), 2021a), The Applicant will produce an ERCoP in liaison with the MCA.
  2. The Applicant will also prepare an internal Emergency Response Plan (ERP) which will detail the emergency planning and response control measures to be implemented during the construction phase.

2.7. Injury, Destruction, or Decay of The Array

  1. The Applicant will notify the Licencing Authority, in writing, in the case of injury to, destruction, or decay of the Array during the construction phase. The Licencing Authority will advise of any remedial action to be taken and any Aids to Navigation (AtoN) to be displayed following consultation from the MCA, Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), or any such required advisors.

3. Navigational Safety Measures During Operation and Maintenance

  1. The proceeding subsections set out the navigational safety measures to be implemented by the Applicant during the operation and maintenance phase of the Array.

3.1. Marine Coordination

  1. [Specific details of the marine coordination function to be included here post-consent].

3.2. Operational Lighting and Marking

  1. The LMP will set out the precise details of the lighting and marking of the Array.

3.3. Safety Zones During Operational Phase

  1. [Details of any operational safety zones to be added post-consent (likely for major maintenance only)].

3.4. RAM Operations

  1. RAM vessels may be used during inter-array and interconnector cable maintenance, heavy lift operations and for the towing of floating wind turbines to port for major maintenance – these vessels will comply with COLREGs. These vessels will transmit safety warnings on VHF to inform other vessels of their actions, using the “Securité” message if their message contains important information relevant to navigation.
  2. Cable maintenance will be promulgated through the notification procedures (see section 4) and, where necessary, guard vessels will be deployed during the cable maintenance period.

3.5. ERCoP and ERP

  1. The approved ERCoP for the construction phase (see section 2.3) will be updated and amended for the operation and maintenance phase, noting that the MCA required template (MCA, 2021b) will be used.
  2. The Applicant will also prepare a separate ERP which shall detail the required emergency planning and response control measures to be implemented across the construction and operation and maintenance phases of the Array by all project personnel and Contractors.

3.6. Injury, Decay, and Destruction of The Array

  1. The Applicant will notify the Licencing Authority, in writing, in the case of injury to, destruction, or decay of the Array during the operation and maintenance phase. The Licencing Authority will advise of any remedial action to be taken and any AtoN to be displayed following consultation from the MCA, NLB, or any such required advisors.