Rampion Offshore Wind Farm

Transcription

1 Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Application for Safety Zones Submitted to DECC for approval November 2015 PREPARED REVIEWED SUBMITTED Date: 01/11/15 Name / signature A Sidford Organisation / Division: ROW Date: 16/11/15 Name / signature: E Owen Organisation / Division: ROW Date: 17/11/15 Name / signature: A Sidford Organisation / Division: ROW 1

2 Rev. Purpose of Issue** Remark/Description Init. Date 0A Prepared First Draft AS 01/11/15 0B Modifications EO 16/11/15 00 Application Submitted to DECC AS 17/11/15 **Purpose of Issue: for information, for review, for checking, issue to Relevant Authority 2

3 Contents 1 Introduction Project Background This document Application for Safety Zones LegIslative Context Safety Zone Statement Relevant legislation pursuant to this application Project Description Overview of the Offshore Site and Location Proposed Safety Zone Locations Main Project Components Construction Programme and Phasing of Installation Construction Programme Installation phasing Aids to Navigation Requirements Aids to Navigation during construction Aids to Navigation during operation Navigation Risk Assessment Vessel Traffic Survey Implementation of Safety Zones Mangement and Monitoring of Safety Zones Marine Co-Ordination Notices to Mariners ROW Exclusion Zones ROW Marine Co-ordination Reporting Process Guard Vessels Safety Management Systems

4 Appendix 1: ROW Development Coordinates Appendix 2: Indicative distances between turbines Appendix 3: Foundation installation Method Appendix 4: Proposed Installation Sequence Appendix 5: Site Markings Plan Appendix 6: Navigational Risk Assessment Appendix 7: Vessel Traffic Survey

5 Abbreviations AIS CAA DECC ES HAT IALA IMO kv LAT MCA MGN MHWS MLWS MSL MW nm NRA OREI ROW THLS Automatic Identification System Civil Aviation Authority Department of Energy and Climate Change Environmental Statement Highest Astronomical Tide International Association of Lighthouse Authorities International Maritime Organisation Kilovolts Lowest Astronomical Tide Maritime and Coastguard Agency Marine Guidance Notes Mean High Water Springs Mean low water springs Mean Sea Level Megawatt Nautical Miles (1nm 1,852 metres) Navigation Risk Assessment Offshore Renewable Energy Installation Rampion Offshore Wind Limited Trinity House Lighthouse Services (Trinity House) The Order The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 TP VTS WTG Transition Piece Vessel Traffic Survey Wind Turbine Generator 5

6 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Background The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order (SI 2014/1873) (the Order) was made by the Secretary of State on 16 July The Order grants development consent to Rampion Offshore Wind Limited (ROW) for an offshore wind farm and ancillary works to be built in the English Channel off the Sussex Coast The Project will have a capacity of 400MW and consist of 116 wind turbine generators (WTG), their foundations, array cables and a single offshore substation. The WTGs will be constructed within an area of 72km2 off the English Channel. Some 13km off the coastline, located approximately 7 nautical miles (nm) off the Sussex coastline on the south of England Connections will be made between the offshore wind farm and the National Grid transmission system through buried offshore and onshore export cables and a new electricity substation (onshore) constructed for the Project adjacent to the existing national grid substation at Bolney in in Mid Sussex. 1.2 This document The document presents an overview of the planned activities; the reason for the application of safety zones during the construction phase, a summary of the shipping activities and vessels in the area, as well as the planned monitoring and policing procedures for the planned safety zones The document has been prepared in accordance with the appropriate guidelines, and publicised as required in parallel to ROW s Application to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. 6

7 APPLICATION FOR SAFETY ZONES ROW is applying for Safety Zones around each offshore WTG and the offshore substation during the construction of the structures, and during exceptional or major maintenance activities, in order to ensure the safety of the wind farm infrastructure, individuals working therein, construction vessels, and other vessels navigating in the area whilst work takes place During construction, ROW are seeking Safety Zones of 500 metre radius around each monopile foundation, WTG, jacket foundation and the offshore substation whilst construction is undertaken, as clearly indicated by the presence of construction vessels During the construction phase, several installation activities may take place simultaneously. Consequently, safety zones are sought for each of these activities as they take place within the wind farm site Prior to commissioning, a 50 metre radius safety zone is sought around each WTG, offshore substation and their associated foundations structures whether whist they are installed, either completely or incompletely but awaiting commissioning. 7

8 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT 1.3 Safety Zone Statement ROW submitted a Safety Zone Statement as part of the Application for development consents submitted to the Secretary of State for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm in March 2013, pursuant to Regulation 6(1)(b)(ii) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed forms and procedure regulations 2009, indicating ROW s intention to apply for Safety Zones prior to the offshore construction of the Project. 1.4 Relevant legislation pursuant to this application This Application is being made under Section 95 and Schedule 16 of the Energy Act 2004, which sets out the process for applying to the Secretary of State for a safety zones to be established around an Offshore Renewable Energy Installation (OREI) The Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Safety Zones) (Applications Procedures and Control of Access) Regulations 2007 (SI No 2007/1948) were introduced in August 2007, clarifying the process for applying for a safety zone and advertising such applications The following policies, guidance notes and recommendations have also been applied in relation to the application: DECC Guidance notes, Nov Applying for Safety Zones around offshore renewable energy installations; Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 371 Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) - Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Response Issues; MCA MGN 372 Offshore Renewable Energy Installations Guidance to Mariners Operating in the Vicinity of UK OREIs; IALA Recommendation O Marking Man-Made Offshore Structures (Ed. 2 Dec 2013); and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Navigation Order and Regulations, Part 28 Lights and Lighting, Article 220 8

9 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.5 Overview of the Offshore Site and Location The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm will have a capacity of 400MW and will consist of 116 Vestas V MW WTG, a single twin circuit 33kV to 150kV substation and associated array cables. The Project will be constructed within an area of 72km 2 of the English Channel, some 13km off the Sussex coast Connection will be made between the offshore wind farm and the National Grid transmission system through buried offshore and onshore export cables and connecting to a new electricity substation adjacent to the existing National Grid substation at Bolney in Mid Sussex. Figure 1 Rampion Offshore Wind farm WTG Array, offshore substation and indicative cable layout The co-ordinates for the locations of the WTGs in Figure 1 are presented in Appendix 1. The indicative distances between the turbines are shown in Appendix 2. 9

10 4.1.4 Each WTG will be mounted on a monopile foundation, with a separate transition piece that will form the supporting structure between the foundation and the turbine tower. Scour protection may be placed around some foundation locations prior to construction, or once the transition piece has been affixed The electricity produced by the wind turbines will be transmitted through 33kV subsea array cables to an offshore substation, mounted on a jacket foundation. The offshore substation will step up the voltage it receives from the turbines to 150 kv Two export cables connect to a landfall at Worthing, where they will be brought ashore by Horizontal Directional Drilling under the beach and A259 to surface at the Par 3 golf course at Brooklands Pleasure Park. 1.6 Proposed Safety Zone Locations As described in Section 2, ROW is applying for standard 500m safety zones to be applied around the foundations, WTGs and the offshore substation during construction Figure 2 (below) shows an example of a single 500m Safety Zone around the Offshore Substation; Figure 3 depicts the cumulative application of 500m Safety Zones around each of the WTGs and Offshore substation. It is extremely unlikely that 500m Safety Zones would be applied across the entire site at any given time, however the figure demonstrates how these Safety Zones may interact across the site. 10

11 Figure 2 - Rampion Offshore Wind Farm application of a single 500m Safety Zone 11

12 Figure 3 - ROW Array layout and Substation depicting cumulative 500m Safety Zones 12

13 1.7 Main Project Components Monopile Foundations Each WTG will be mounted on a monopile foundation, with a separate transition piece that will form the supporting structure between the foundation and the turbine tower. Scour protection may be placed around some of the foundations prior to installation or once the transition piece is in place The monopiles will be driven or drilled into the seabed and the transition piece bolted and grouted to the monopile. Detailed installation details for the monopile foundations are provided in Appendix Installation of the monopile foundations is expected to commence predominantly in the north western area of the site and progress to the deeper southern and eastern areas. The installation sequence has been developed in order to maintain maximum flexibility throughout the programme in order to minimise the delay impact as a result of unforeseen weather conditions, vessel breakdown or pile refusal requiring drilling. The monopile foundations will be shipped directly from the Port of Vlissingen, Holland. They will be transported (in sets of 3 or 4 monopiles and 3 or 4 TPs per loadout, dependent on the vessel used) directly to the installation site. Wind Turbine Generators The Rampion Offshore Wind farm will consist of 116 Vestas 3.45MW WTGs with the following specification: Turbine Size Max hub height (above MHWS) Max hub height (above LAT) Max rotor diameter Max height (above MHWS) 3.45MW 84.82m 85.32m 112m m Table 1: WTG specification Each WTG has three blades attached to a nacelle housing the generator, gearbox and other operating equipment. The unit cast resin transformer will also be located in the nacelle The nacelle and hub have dimensions in the order of 17m x 5m x 8m. The total weight of both the nacelle and the hub area total approximately 170 tonnes. The blades are 55 metres long and weigh 12.3 tonnes each. The Tower sections themselves make up the bulk of the approximate 178 tonne complete weight The WTG and foundation schematic diagram in Figure 4 below shows the dimensions, depicting above and below water level (provided for illustration purposes). 13

14 Blade tip (highest) Hub Tower top Blade tip (lowest) Blade tip to MHWS Interface HAT 7.36 MHWS 5.02 MSL 3.48 LAT 0.00 Any reference to height or depth is with respect to lowest astronomical tide. Figure 4 - ROW WTG and foundation schematic diagram depicting above and below water level The installation of the wind turbines for the offshore wind farm will be performed by the same, or similar jack-up vessel as used for the foundation installation. The final installation process will depend on the capability of the selected installation vessel. Offshore Substation The offshore substation will consist of a topside structure with integral cable deck; supported on a jacket foundation. The base design of the jacket foundation is a four-legged steel jacket with skirt piles grouted into pile sleeves, with the following characteristics: 14

15 Jacket Foundation Characteristics Max. Width Max. Length Height Net weight Principal dimensions of the piles are (approx.) Max. Diameter Max. Thickness Length Net weight Pile 22.5 m (excluding pile sleeves) 18 m (excluding pile sleeves) 41.7 m approximately 824T (excl. contingency) 2200 mm 50 mm up to 40m approximately 90T (excl. contingency) Table 2: Offshore Substation Specification The jacket foundation and topsides for the offshore substation will be transported from Scotland The substation foundation will be loaded on to the installation vessel and transported direct to site for installation with driven piles. In a separate operation the topside will be loaded to a vessel, transported to site and lifted on to the foundation for fixing, cable pull through and terminations. The substation will be energised and following this each WTG in turn The substation will be installed in two phases by the same installation contractor using the same installation vessel. 15

16 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME AND PHASING OF INSTALLATION 1.8 Construction Programme The key construction dates and durations are summarised below: Key Construction Activities Start Date Finish Date Onshore Construction August 2015 August 2017 Site Preparation Works August 2015 January 2016 Monopile Foundation Installation January 2016 December 2016 Array Cable Installation July 2016 October 2017 Offshore Substation Foundation and Topside Installation September 2016 March 2017 WTG Installation December 2016 February 2018 WTG Commissioning and Take-Over (COD) March 2018 Table 3 - ROW Construction Activities and Key Dates 1.9 Installation phasing The offshore foundation installation programme is planned to commence on 16th January The piling operation activities are constrained by environmental limitations restricting piling operations to two (2) periods throughout the year. This dictates the requirement for two installation vessels to enable completion primarily in 2016, with the option to extend. Campaign Period (if required) Operational Window 16 th Jan until 14 th April st Jul until 19 th Nov th Jan until completion Installation vessels utilised 1 (MPI Discovery) 2 (MPI Discovery and SBO Pacific Orca) 1 (MPI Discovery or SBO Pacific Orca) Table 4: Proposed timings of installations of Monopile foundations All the time periods indicated above are provisional and subject to change based on environmental restrictions, progress offshore and opportunities to maximise vessel utilisation and efficiency. 16

17 1.9.3 The installation sequence of structures across the Wind Farm area will be predominantly determined by water depth, ground conditions, pile weight, vessel capability and inter array cable installation programme Installation of the monopile foundations is expected to commence predominantly in the north western area of the site and progress to the deeper southern and eastern areas; The installation sequence has been developed in order to maintain maximum flexibility throughout the programme in order to minimise the delay impact as a result of unforeseen weather conditions, vessel breakdown or pile refusal requiring drilling Details of the proposed installation sequence are set out in Appendix 4. 17

18 AIDS TO NAVIGATION 1.10 Requirements In accordance with the Deemed Marine Licence Array (Schedule 13), ROW has been consulting with Trinity House and the MCA with regards to the lighting, marking, sounds, signals and Aids to Navigation required to be undertaken during the construction and operation of the Rampion Offshore Wind farm Full details of the agreed approach to Site markings are included in the site Markings Plan (Appendix 5) This section outlines the proposed Aids to Navigation which will be deployed, as agreed with Trinity House and MCA Aids to Navigation during construction During the construction and decommissioning of an offshore wind farm, working areas will be established and marked in accordance with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System Trinity House has advised that temporary marking shall be applied in the form of Cardinal Markers. Cardinal Buoys A cardinal mark is a sea mark (a buoy or other floating or fixed structure) used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water. Cardinal marks indicate the direction of safety as a cardinal (compass) direction (north, east, south or west) relative to the mark The table below sets out the location and signature of cardinal markers to be deployed at the Rampion Site, both during construction and as permanent markings, in accordance with Trinity House requirements. Cardinal Name North 1 North 2 North 3 Light Signature Q V Q Q UTMN31N Easting UTM31N Northing Construction / Permanent Construction Construction Construction 18

19 East 1 South 1 South 2 South 3 Q (3) 10s Q (6) + L Fl 15s V Q (6) + L Fl 0s Q (6) + L Fl 15s Construction Construction Construction Construction West 1 Q (9) + 15s Construction North X Fl Y 5s Permanent South X Fl Y 5s Permanent Upon handover from Construction to Operations 2 marker buoys will be situated as follows: Permane North X Fl Y 5s nt 1 South X Fl Y 5s Permane nt Table 5 ROW Cardinal Buoys Identification Table The above markers shall all have a range of 5 nautical miles and meet the following IALA Availability standards: Position Category 2 (not less than 99%) Light Category 2 (not less than 99%) Daymark Category 3 (not less than 97%) Topmark Category 3 (not less than 97%) The locations relative to the site can be seen in Figure 9.1 of Appendix 5. Construction Marking During construction of the WTG foundations the periphery foundations will be lit by a single solar powered light. The marking signature will be the same as the operational Intermediate Structures (as described in Appendix 5) Initially, each foundation will have a temporary light installed which may subsequently be moved (depending on their location) as the site develops to light the periphery locations. 19

20 The navigation lights will be positioned to ensure a 360 o degree visibility and set at approximately the same height as the permanent navigation lights All the lights shall be exhibited at least at night and when the visibility is reduced to 2nm or less. Fog signals shall be sounded at least when the visibility is 2nm or less Aids to Navigation during operation The operational Project will be marked with Aids to Navigation in accordance with Trinity House requirements, which will comply with IALA standards on the Marking of Offshore Wind Farms (Ref. v) O-139 and the additional requirements of MCA MGN The proposed location of ROW Aids to Navigation are shown below: Figure 5: Proposed Aids to Navigation In accordance with the requirements of Trinity House, the periphery structures will be classed as either significant peripheral structures (SP or intermediate structures (IS), depending on their location. 20

21 In addition, construction and permanent cardinal buoys will be put in place in accordance with the requirements of Trinity House as set out in Table Seven (7) foghorns (hazard warnings) will be mounted around the periphery of the site as directed by Trinity House For details on which foundation has which flashing signature and lighting signatures, derived from IALA Recommendation O-139 Marking Man-Made Offshore Structures Section 2.3 Marking of Offshore Wind farms. For specific details on which foundation has which flashing signature please refer to Appendix 5. Aviation Markings In accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements, all WTGs on the periphery of the site shall be marked with 2 medium intensity red lights flashing Morse W sequence as close as possible to the top of the fixed structure, at a height of approximately 90m above LAT. For aviation purposes, OREI structures should be marked with hazard warning lighting in accordance with CAA guidance and also with unique identification numbers (with illumination controlled from the site control centre and activated as required ) on the upper works of the OREI structure so that aircraft can identify each installation from a height of 500 feet (150 metres) above the highest part of the OREI structure; MCA OREI Guidance Note MGN Details of the WTGs displaying Aviation lights are detailed within Appendix X. The lighting shall be in accordance with the requirements detailed within the CAA s Air Navigation Order 2009 Article 220 and has been confirmed as suitable by the CAA Due to the location of the offshore substation the CAA have requested that a single Aviation light will be displayed at the highest point possible; this will be at approximately +29m above Highest Astronomical tide (HAT) The Aviation light s shall have a Morse W flashing sequence in line with ongoing discussions between the CAA and Trinity House to establish a clear distinction between navigation and aviation markings. On the WTG s 2 marking lights shall be situated at a height of approximately +80m from HAT Lights to have reduced intensity at and below the horizontal and allow a further reduction in lighting intensity when the visibility in all directions from every wind turbine is more than 5km. 21

22 Foundation Colour markings The Deemed Marine Licence Array (Schedule 13 of the Order) contains the following Condition: 8(1) The Undertaker shall colour all structures yellow for at least highest astronomical tide to a height directed by Trinity House, or shall colour as directed by Trinity House from time to time IALA Recommendation O-139 Marking Man-Made Offshore Structures Section 2.3 Marking of Offshore Wind farms also states that The structures should be painted yellow all around from the level of HAT up to 15 metres The diagram below depicts the paint levels as derived from IALA Recommendation O-139 Marking Man-Made Offshore Structures section 2.3 Marking of Offshore Wind farms and have been approved by Trinity House. Figure 6 Aids to Navigation heights and painting levels relative to HAT 22

23 WTG Colour Markings The WTG s shall be painted RAL 7035, in accordance the Deemed Marince Licence - Array (Condition 8(2)), and the blades have the blade markings (shown in figure 11.1 of Appendix 5) in accordance with ongoing discussions with the MCA The blade tip consists of a 100mm copper tip. During service the 100mm copper tip area will become discoloured, by painting the tip end 700mm ensures a minimum of 600mm coverage is achieved throughout service The MCA OREI Guidance Note MGN 371 states: Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) shall have high contrast markings (dots or stripes) placed at 10 metre intervals on both sides of the blades to provide SAR helicopter pilots with a hover-reference point. WTG Identification and Markings In accordance with the MCAs guidance note for OREI MGN 371, each WTG will be marked with clearly visible unique identification characters which can be seen by both vessels at sea level and aircraft (helicopters and other fixed wing aircrafts) from above The identification markings will be placed on the top of the nacelle and on three illuminated ID signs on the transition piece platform railings, positioned to ensure visibility of 360 o degrees around the WTG platforms. The lettering will be 1m high, and will be lit by 2 LED lights The identification markings will include Rampion identifier abbreviation and the turbine ID, consisting of one letter and two figures The ID number of each turbine shall follow the rows and columns and be of the following format: Figure 7 ROW WTG ID markings 23

24 Offshore Substation Markings The offshore substation shall have no aids to navigation or foghorns due to its location within the site. Though the structure will have sign boards visible from 360 o degrees and will be illuminated via similar lights to the WTG foundation. Due to its location it will have a flashing Morse W aviation light mounted at its highest point approx. 36m above LAT. 24

25 NAVIGATION RISK ASSESSMENT The Environmental Statement (ES) for the Rampion Project submitted to the Secretary of State in support of the application for Development Consent assesses the impacts to Navigation and Shipping arising from the construction and operation of the Project. As part of the assessment, a Navigational Risk Assessment (NRA) was undertaken, assessing the vessel activity and navigational features within the vicinity of the Rampion site, and the potential impacts of the proposed Offshore Project on shipping and navigation in relation to commercial, recreational and fishing vessels The primary guidance documents used in preparing the NRA for the ES were: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Marine Guidance Notice 371 (MGN 371 M+F) Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Response Issues (2008); and Department for Environment and Climate Change (DECC) in Association with MCA Guidance on the Assessment of Offshore Wind Farms Methodology for Assessing Marine Navigational Safety Risks of Offshore Wind Farms (2005) The NRA identified the following mitigation measures, these mitigation measures will be employed during the construction and operation of the Rampion Project: Development and implementation of an Emergency Response Cooperation Plan (ERCoP); Use of Safety Zones (during the construction phase); Ensuring that vessels are fit for purpose ; Promulgation of information including Notices to Mariners and Chart updates; Effective works and vessel management; Aids to Navigation as per Trinity House requirements; Marine Coordination of vessels and activities; Air draught clearance between vessel masts and WTG blades; Compliance with MGN 371; and Ongoing consultation and information promulgation with key navigational stakeholders The Navigational Risk Assessment undertaken for the Rampion project is appended to this document at Appendix 6. 25

26 VESSEL TRAFFIC SURVEY A Vessel Traffic Survey (VTS) for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of MGN 371. The survey was carried out over two 14 day survey periods, in order to collect data on vessel movements in the area during the winter and summer, as well as to cover tidal variations The AIS and radar data were recorded from Shoreham during the following survey periods; 17th to 31st January and 16th to 30th July Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a system by which ships automatically send data concerning their position, Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), etc., on two individual Very High Frequency (VHF) channels to the shore and other vessels at very frequent intervals AIS data is available and AIS reports are produced in accordance with, Regulation 19 of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V Carriage requirements for ship borne navigational systems and equipment sets out navigational equipment to be carried on board ships according to ship type. In 2000, IMO adopted a new requirement (as part of a revised new chapter V) for ships to carry AIS Further to the VTS, additional AIS vessel data has been gathered from Shoreham Port since January Details of the VTS for the Project, and subsequent AIS vessel data collected is included at Appendix 7. 26

27 IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY ZONES It is proposed that Safety Zones would be implemented at the Rampion site during construction from the commencement of construction in January ROW will adopt all Standard Safety Zone Provisions, as shown in Table 6 below: During Construction 500m safety zones around the active construction work; the location of each turbine, substation or their foundations whilst work is being carried out, and as indicated by the presence of construction vessels; During Operation and Maintenance 50m safety zones around partially or fully completed structures prior to wind farm commissioning; ie Safety Zone surrounding each foundation, turbine or substation whilst work is not being carried out. 500m safety zone around the site of major or exceptional maintenance works; to include - wind turbines, wind turbine foundation structures or offshore substation platforms (major maintenance is defined as any activity involving the large vessels (ie Jack-Up barge, floating barge, heavy lift vessel, DP/anchorage cable lay barge etc.)) ; During Decommissioning It is anticipated that an application for safety zones would not include any specific provisions for the decommissioning phase. Rather, it is expected that the need for safety zones at that stage would be subject to appropriate risk assessments and consultation with the statutory authorities. A separate application would be made prior to decommissioning where necessary. Table 6: Safety Zone Provisions MANGEMENT AND MONITORING OF SAFETY ZONES 1.13 Marine Co-Ordination A Marine coordinator has appointed by ROW, who is responsible for managing and maintaining a robust communication watch keeping The Marine Coordinator will monitor and archive all project vessel movements by means of an AIS tracking system and ensure all safety zones and advisory exclusion zones are adhered to by means of a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) All project vessels will maintain a lookout for non-project related vessels utilising the vessels AIS and radar systems. No unauthorised contractors (vessel or personnel) shall be permitted to gain entry to any prescribed safety zones within the wind farm without prior consent from the Marine Coordinator Any infringement in respect of commercial and leisure mariners any which interferes with construction operations will result in appropriate action which 27

28 must be taken by the Vessel Master, taking into account relevant IMO guidelines, ensuring that a record is made of the date, time, vessel name and home port. Details must be reported to the Marine Co-ordinator, who has a duty to report the issue to the Navigational Safety Branch of the MCA Notices to Mariners The Marine Co-ordinator will issue a weekly Notice of Operations, which will describe the operations covered during the past week and the proposed operations for the following week ROW Exclusion Zones In addition to the Safety Zones described in this document, ROW is proposing to establish exclusion zones for each construction vessel. These zones will exclude all vessels except those directly involved in the construction activities from entering the zone Construction vessel movements, including feeder vessel or transport barges through the windfarm, must be carefully planned and proposed such that there is no interaction or conflict with any other construction vessel, Safety Zone or foundation/substation/wtg. Each of the Contractors safety exclusion zones must take into account anchor positions Once an exclusion zone is established permission will be given by the Master of the construction vessel before any of the support / spread vessels can enter. Once a support /spread vessel has entered an exclusion zone the Marine Coordinator will no longer have responsibility of their movements, the responsibility being passed to the Master of that construction vessel The contractor will prepare a written plan that clearly states how control of the vessel, inside the exclusion zone, will be assured and who has responsibility for it. The plan will require approval from the marine coordinator before it is used If for any reason a vessel, not directly involved with the construction activities, wishes to enter the exclusion zone, contact must be first made with the duty marine coordinator, who will then request permission from the Construction Vessel Master. Contact must then be made between the construction vessel and that of requesting vessel master who will then discuss their vessel movements inside the exclusion zone. 28

29 1.16 ROW Marine Co-ordination Reporting Process The Marine Co-ordinator shall maintain an accurate record of the positions of all construction vessels and their associated safety exclusion zones and ensure that there will be no overlapping of respective safety avoidance zones at any time An AIS system will be employed to track vessels in and around the wind farm and will record movement history. All vessels shall have an AIS class A transponder. The Custom AIS system is capable of specifying vessel exclusion/safety zones and flagging interaction of vessels with a vessel safety avoidance zone. REPORT DESCRIPTION Marine Coordinators 5-day look ahead report Marine Coordinators daily report ROW Weekly Notice of Operations (NtM) ISSUED BY DEADLINE / FREQUENCY Marine Daily Coordinator Marine Coordinator Marine Coordinator Daily Weekly ISSUED TO - Each respective contractors work co-ordinator - Site Personnel - ROW Management - Harbour Master - Each respective Contractors work coordinator - Site Personnel - ROW Management - Port of Newhaven - Harbour Master - Weekly notice of operations - Vessel movements - Intended Vessel movements Table 7 Reporting mechanisms for ROW Marine Coordinator 1.17 Guard Vessels ROW is considering the opportunity for a Guard vessel to be deployed. It is proposed that local fishermen may be employed to provide a scout/guard boat, in particular in relation to the Export cable installation, but also during other phases of the project. This vessel will carry the Offshore Fisheries liaison officers, and will review the entire site during construction activities. In the event that non-project related traffic enters the area, the Guard vessel may be deployed to the area to liaise with the master of that vessel Safety Management Systems From a navigation risk perspective, monitoring will take place through the project s Safety Management System (SMS). The SMS will include an incident/accident reporting system which will allow incidents and near misses to be recorded and reviewed in order to monitor the effectiveness of the risk control measures in place at the site. 29

30 In addition to this any information gleaned from near misses/accidents at other offshore wind farm sites will be considered with respect to the control measures applied at the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm During maintenance, there will be regular vessels operating in the site which can monitor any third party vessel activity, both visually and on radar, although this will not be their primary function. 30

31 APPENDIX 1: ROW DEVELOPMENT COORDINATES Rampion Offshore Wind Farm WTG & substation co-ordinates WTG WGS 1984 UTM 30N WTG WGS 1984 UTM 30N Easting Northing Easting Northing B I B I B I B I C I C I C I C I C I C I Offshore Substation (D07) I D I D I D J D J D J D J E J E J E J E J E J E J E J F J F J F K F K F K F K F K F K F K F K F K G K G K

32 G L G L G L G L G L G L G L G M H M H M H M H M H N H N H N H N H O H O H A H A H Met Mast I A

33 APPENDIX 2: INDICATIVE DISTANCES BETWEEN TURBINES 33

34 APPENDIX 3: FOUNDATION INSTALLATION METHOD The monopiles and transition pieces will be loaded and sea-fastened onto the installation vessel (MPI Discovery and SBO Pacific Orca) from a quayside at the Port of Vlissingen, Holland. They will be transported (in sets of 3 or 4 monopiles and 3 or 4 transition pieces per loadout dependent on vessel used) directly to the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm site for installation. See figure 1 for proposed deck layout for the MPI Discovery. Figure 1: Proposed Deck Layout, 3 monopiles and transition pieces Upon arrival at the first foundation installation position, the sequence of works is as follows: Monopile Installation 1. The installation vessel (loaded with monopiles) is positioned over reference target at pre-defined orientation. Vessel is jacked up to working height. 2. The monopile gripper is deployed to the horizontal position. 3. The gripper arms are extended at their mid-stroke position and are kept opened. 4. The monopile sea-fastenings are removed and the monopile is upended from horizontal to vertical using installation vessel upending devices (main crane and deck tools). 34

35 5. The crane lifts and moves the monopile to a pre-calculated crane radius. 6. The crane slews until the centre of monopile meets the centre line of gripper arms. This operation is done manually/visually guided by instructions from staff positioned at the vessel stern. 7. The pile is lowered through the open monopile gripper. The monopile is kept out of the water until the pile positioning / orientation is verified. See figure The pile gripper arms are closed around the pile to restrain and guide it laterally. 35

36 Figure 2 - Monopile Installation 9. Pile inclination is verified (by surveyors onboard the vessel) and adjusted by the crane if necessary to bring the pile to the true vertical position. 36

37 10. The pile is lowered into seabed while it is being guided by the gripper. Self-weight of monopile penetrates seabed. 11. The main crane is unlatched from the monopile (via monopile upending and lifting tool). 12. The gripper guides and maintains the monopile vertically. The inclination of the monopile is adjusted by the gripper arms as necessary. 13. The main crane installs the driving hammer on to the monopile top. Piling operations commence initially with the soft start procedure. 14. Monopile inclination is frequently verified (by surveyors and by utilising an inclinometer onboard the hammer) before and between the hammering operations (hammer blows). The inclination of the monopile is adjusted by the gripper arms if necessary to maintain its true vertical position. 15. The monopile is driven to the predetermined depth where the monopile can hold itself vertically without the assistance of the gripper. The gripper arms are opened when necessary to allow clearance for the pile hammer. 16. The monopile is driven to the target depth. 17. The hammer is recovered to the vessel deck. 18. The gripper is retracted and raised prior to the "Transition Piece" installation. Transition Piece Installation 1. Following installation of the monopile, the transition piece is lifted and set onto the monopile. 2. A gangway is placed between the vessel stern and the transition piece. 3. Personnel transfer onto the transition piece to check the transition piece to monopile flange alignment and to assist in making adjustments as necessary. 4. Several temporary installation works are completed to ensure safety of personnel. 5. Hydraulic bolt tightening equipment is utilised to tighten studs/nuts in several tightening phases. The studs/nuts are stored inside the transition piece prior to its installation upon the monopile. 6. The main crane is de-rigged from the transition piece and the lifting lugs are returned to the vessel. 7. The grout hose is connected to the grout inlet at the transition piece platform and the crew prepare the equipment for commencement of grouting operations m3 of grout is pumped into the base of the annulus whilst the bolt tightening is being completed in a pre-defined sequence. 37

38 9. The grout fills the annulus and displaces the seawater to a via the exit/ breather near the top of the transition piece. 10. A small volume of grout will overflow into the centre of the monopile so that grout density can be visually inspected. 11. The crane is rigged to the j-tube lifting device, the stoppers are released, and the j- tubes are lowered into their intended position and bolted in place. Other small temporary equipment will be installed on the transition piece to assist with cables installation. 12. The tools and other equipment are then removed, and a tent-like cover is installed over the transition piece, to protect the exposed flange until the wind turbine is later installed. 13. The personnel transfer onto the installation vessel and the gangway is removed. 14. The vessel jacks down and departs for the next installation. Important note: The grout seal is carefully inspected prior to load-out of each transition piece. If it is suspected that it has become damaged during the transition piece installation upon the monopile then the transition piece will be recovered to the vessel where the grout seal can be inspected and replaced if necessary. The installation duration for a single monopile and transition piece, from jack-up to jackdown, is estimated to be approximately 24 hours plus any time required for waiting on suitable weather conditions. Drilling Procedures In the event that the monopile is not able to be installed by driving then it will be drilled as a separate operation. In the event that a location is to be drilled the installation sequence comprises the following key stages: 1. Vessel jacks up and preparation including release of required seafastenings; 2. Drill and auxiliary equipment is prepared, located onto pile top flange and tripped in to mud line (up to 300te lift, item 1 in table above); 3. Drilling operation to toe of pile or under-ream; 4. Drill is tripped out, removed and placed on vessel deck; 5. If the drilling vessel is also equipped with a hammer then piling activities 13 to 18 described above will be carried out. If a separate vessel is required then the activities 1 to 2 and then 8 to 18 are completed. 38

39 APPENDIX 4: PROPOSED INSTALLATION SEQUENCE Rampion Offshore Windfarm - Foundation Installations and Vessel Allocation (Rev04) as 20/10/2015 Cycle Inst. Order WTG ID Vessel Vessel 1 2 G H I J J I H H I F L M N L M M L I G H G G H N F K L I K J K C I N L L M K I07 39

40 14 2 G J G F I E D F F E D B B A F D G E D A08 O-1 1 F03 O-1 2 H06 O-1 3 J06 O-1 4 K05 O-2 1 K03 O-2 2 O07 O-2 3 O09 O-2 4 J08 O-3 1 L09 O-3 2 M10 O-3 3 N10 O-3 4 J09 O-4 1 I08 O-4 2 K08 O-4 3 J11 O-4 4 K11 O-5 1 J10 O-5 2 H07 O-5 3 F06 O-5 4 C08 O-6 1 K12 O-6 2 D13 O-6 3 D12 O-6 4 F09 40

41 O-7 1 K10 O-7 2 I11 O-7 3 H11 O-7 4 H08 O-8 1 H12 O-8 2 I12 O-8 3 B08 O-8 4 B07 O-9 1 K13 O-9 2 J13 O-9 3 C11 O-9 4 C12 O-10 1 J14 O-10 2 I13 O-10 3 E09 O-10 4 C09 O-11 1 F15 O-11 2 J12 O-11 3 A10 O-11 4 E14 O-12 1 H13 O-12 2 G13 O-12 3 I15 O-12 4 F13 O-13 1 G14 O-13 2 H14 O-13 3 E12 O-13 4 C10 O-14 1 H15 O-14 2 I14 O-14 2 G11 O-14 4 E

42 APPENDIX 5: SITE MARKINGS PLAN 42

43 APPENDIX 6: NAVIGATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT 43

44 APPENDIX 7: VESSEL TRAFFIC SURVEY 44