181105 NTM Outer Hebrides Submarine Electricity Cable Works

Notice to Mariners Vessels and General Safety Advice

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) Outer Hebrides Submarine Electricity Cable Survey Works November 2018

Date of Issue – 5th November 2018

Please be advised that Global Marine (on behalf of SHEPD) will be undertaking the following work related to submarine electricity cables as noted below:

• Barra – Vatersay • South Uist – Eriksay • North Uist – Benbecula Centre • Eriskay – Barra 1 • Eriskay – Barra 2 • Kisimul Castle

The operations are due to commence, in the order given above, on 13/11/18 for a minimum period of 5 days, depending on weather. Each cable will take up to 1 day to survey.

The purpose of the work is to confirm the exact location and condition of the cables. This will inform SHEPD’s schedule for replacing cables over the coming years. The inspection for these cables will utilise one vessel:

▪ MPC Advance

The operations will be concentrated across the cable corridor shown on the following charts:

Notice to Mariners November 2018

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 km

Figure 1: Barra – Vatersay - Location Overview

0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 km

Figure 2: South Uist – Eriskay - Location Overview

Notice to Mariners November 2018

0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 km

Figure 3: North Uist – Benbecula Centre - Location Overview

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 km

Figure 4: Eriskay – Barra 1 & Eriskay – Barra 2 - Location Overview

Notice to Mariners November 2018

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 km

Figure 5: Kisimul Castle - Location Overview

Co-ordinates of the inspections corridor around each cable location are given in the table below.

Co-ordinates for the survey works, (WGS84) (the DDM are not negative due to these being westerlies i.e. west of Greenwich meantime)

Indicative Cable length (km)

Longitude DDM W Latitude DDM N

7° 32.137' W 56° 56.394' N 7° 32.255' W 56° 56.740' N 7° 32.080' W 56° 56.903' N Barra - 7° 31.244' W 56° 56.902' N 0.5 Vatersay 7° 31.069' W 56° 56.839' N 7° 31.573' W 56° 56.374' N 7° 31.583' W 56° 56.371' N 7° 32.137' W 56° 56.394' N 7° 19.079' W 57° 4.882' N 7° 19.360' W 57° 4.987' N South Uist - 7° 20.705' W 57° 6.198' N 2.6 Eriskay 7° 19.782' W 57° 6.348' N 7° 18.706' W 57° 5.430' N 7° 18.700' W 57° 5.430' N

Notice to Mariners November 2018

7° 18.450' W 57° 5.400' N 7° 18.208' W 57° 5.241' N 7° 18.682' W 57° 4.876' N 7° 19.079' W 57° 4.882' N 7° 18.406' W 57° 29.549' N 7° 17.588' W 57° 29.861' N 7° 17.129' W 57° 29.917' N North Uist - 7° 17.007' W 57° 29.376' N 1.4 Benbecula 7° 17.150' W 57° 29.370' N 7° 17.619' W 57° 29.189' N 7° 17.637' W 57° 29.165' N 7° 18.406' W 57° 29.549' N 7° 22.655' W 57° 1.949' N 7° 25.698' W 57° 2.200' N 7° 25.683' W 57° 2.627' N 7° 25.391' W 57° 2.708' N 7° 22.684' W 57° 2.493' N 7° 19.915' W 57° 3.249' N Eriskay - Barra 7° 19.247' W 57° 4.531' N 9.5 1 7° 18.928' W 57° 4.771' N 7° 18.372' W 57° 4.849' N 7° 17.938' W 57° 4.457' N 7° 18.307' W 57° 4.308' N 7° 18.703' W 57° 3.326' N 7° 19.238' W 57° 2.852' N 7° 22.655' W 57° 1.949' N 7° 25.700' W 57° 2.206' N 7° 25.492' W 57° 2.683' N 7° 24.872' W 57° 2.747' N 7° 22.726' W 57° 2.527' N 7° 22.725' W 57° 2.527' N 7° 20.376' W 57° 3.131' N Eriskay - Barra 7° 19.059' W 57° 4.723' N 0.9 2 7° 19.059' W 57° 4.723' N 7° 18.431' W 57° 4.848' N 7° 17.915' W 57° 4.487' N 7° 18.388' W 57° 4.289' N 7° 19.639' W 57° 2.748' N 7° 22.630' W 57° 1.974' N 7° 25.700' W 57° 2.206' N 7° 28.781' W 56° 57.083' N 7° 29.214' W 56° 56.862' N Kisimul Castle 0.2 7° 29.576' W 56° 56.920' N 7° 29.753' W 56° 57.177' N

Notice to Mariners November 2018

7° 29.712' W 56° 57.296' N 7° 29.503' W 56° 57.447' N 7° 28.791' W 56° 57.334' N 7° 28.752' W 56° 57.173' N 7° 28.781' W 56° 57.083' N

The inspections will be undertaken by the MPV Advance vessel pictured below.

Vessel Photo Vessel Description Advance Length: 15 m, Beam: 5.8 m, Draft: 0.75 m Call Sign: 2CYG9 MMSI: 235076772

Seaeye Falcon Observation ROV Dimensions: 1.0m x 0.5m x 0.6m Depth rating: 300m

Figure 6 – Details of MPC Advance

Survey Works Description

The inspections will involve the use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped with a full suite of geophysical survey systems (Multi beam Echo Sounder and Side Scan Sonar). The ROV will be operating close to the seabed, at a potential distance of 20m from the vessel.

The ROV will be towed behind the vessel and will operate within 1-3m of the seabed, and cable. The ROV will work along the route of the cable. In the water between the ROV and the vessel there will be the umbilical of the ROV – the exclusion zone mentioned below is to ensure passing vessels do not pass between the ROV and the vessel which would risk snagging the equipment, particularly the umbilical.

Other vessels should maintain an appropriate and safe distance of 500m when passing the inspection vessel(s) whilst undertaking operations and should pass at the lowest possible speed to avoid vessel wash effects. The vessels will be working up to 24 hours per day and will display appropriate day shapes and lights during reduced visibility and night operations. The vessel will also monitor VHF Channels 16 and 12.

Notice to Mariners November 2018

Primary Survey Equipment

Towed / Hull Primary equipment mounted / Sampling Multibeam ROV Mounted Echosounder Sidescan Sonar ROV Mounted

Vessel Contact Details

The vessel operator contact details are given below:

• MPC Advance - Grahame Tate - [email protected]

Fishing Liaison Officers

Fishing liaison for the ROV survey will be co-ordinated by Brown and May Marine (BMM). For any commercial fishery queries please contact the Company Fishing Liaison Officer (CLFO) Alex Winrow- Giffin on 07760 160039 / 01379 872144, [email protected]. Details of the local Fishing Industries Representative (FIR) for the works will be confirmed in an update shortly. They will be in place to liaise with the vessel and fishing operations in the area. The vessel master will issue regular broadcasts whilst the survey vessel is operating to ensure minimal disruption and that vessels maintain an appropriate and safe distance.

Further Details

Further enquiries should be addressed to the following people in the following order:

Name Contact Number Email Grahame Tate -Onshore 07540 255556 [email protected] Supervisor Mike Watt - Global Project 01224 519865 [email protected] Manager Alan Kelly – SSE Project 07477597456 [email protected] Manager

Distribution List

Contact Email

Kingfisher [email protected]

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office [email protected] UKHO Navigation Warnings [email protected]

Northern Lighthouse Board [email protected]

Notice to Mariners November 2018

Trinity House [email protected]

Marine Scotland [email protected]

Maritime and Coastguard Agency [email protected]

The Crown Estate [email protected]

Scottish Natural Heritage [email protected]

Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) [email protected]; [email protected]