6.3. Operation and Maintenance Phase

  1. Similar vessels are likely to be required, at various times, to those described for construction in section 6.2.

7. Numbers and Movements of Vessels

7.1. Construction Vessels

  1. The number of vessels within the Array at any one time will vary during the construction period, with peaks in vessel activity reflecting the timing of major installation works.
  2. For each vessel type anticipated to be entering the Array, Table 7.1   Open ▸ presents the indicative number of vessels involved in construction, the main construction activities they will be involved in, and the anticipated number of return journeys (a transit to the Array, and then back to port) they will make (if available). It should be noted that the number of transits given is a best estimate based on the available information at the time of writing, and the actual numbers may differ during the construction phase.

 

Table 7.1:
Construction Phase Vessel Activities Summary

Table 7.1: Construction Phase Vessel Activities Summary

 

7.2. Operation and Maintenance vessels

  1. The number of vessels within Array at any one time will vary during the operation and maintenance phase, with peaks in vessel activity reflecting the timing of major maintenance works. Consequently, it is not possible at this time to provide precise numbers of vessel movements during the operation and maintenance phase. Estimates based on current information are provided in Table 7.2   Open ▸ .

 

Table 7.2:
Operation and Maintenance Phase Activities Summary

Table 7.2: Operation and Maintenance Phase Activities Summary

 

8. Indicative Transit Route Corridors

  1. The indicative transit corridors for the major construction vessels between the Array and the relevant construction ports are presented in Figure 8.1.
  2. Note the indicative transit routes presented in Figure 8.1 are not intended to be prescriptive and are unlikely to be followed precisely by every vessel, however they are designed to give an indication to other users of the areas within which they may expect to encounter additional project construction vessels. Navigational safety and compliance with COLREGs shall remain the navigational priority at all times.
  3. All vessels shall passage plan as per the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) (IMO, 1974). In addition, vessels may take alternatives from these indicative routes for a variety of reasons, at the discretion of the vessels’ Master, including:
  • compliance with COLREGs as required;
  • prevailing weather, tidal, or sea state conditions;
  • navigational hazards as indicated on charts, or notified through NtMs or other such sources;
  • vessels originating from or bound for a destination not indicated by the indicative transit routes;
  • instructions from the Marine Coordination Centre or other responsible persons in charge of coordinating and managing construction vessel traffic; and
  • any other reason the Master of a vessel may deem relevant for the purpose of ensuring the safety of theirs or another vessel.

 

[Indicative transit route figure to be added post consent].

Figure 8.1: Indicative Transit Routes