Cable laying in the Irish Sea

Marine Notice No. 13 of 2019

Notice to all Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishers, Yachtsmen and Seafarers

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been advised that, as part of installation of the marine part of the HAVHINGSTEN submarine fibre optic cable system, a pre-lay grapnel run and route clearance operations will be conducted in Irish waters for 3 days from 31 May 2019 to 2 June 2019.

 

The operations schedule is provisional, and will be subject to change due to external factors, including, but not necessarily limited to, weather, equipment or vessel downtime.

 

The location of the Pre-Lay Grapnel Run in Irish waters is indicated by Seg 1.1 in the image at Figure 1 below, with the coordinates as follows:.

 

 

	Latitude	Longitude
Between	53° 50.9' N	004° 59.4' W
And	53° 38.6' N	005° 40.5' W

 

The Pre-Lay Grapnel Run will be completed by the Cable Ship “Ile d’Aix” (Callsign: FICI).

 

The vessel will be linked to the bottom by the cable and will have poor maneuverability capacities.  The vessel will signal that it has restricted ability to maneuver with shapes and/or lights as required by international regulations.

 

All vessels are requested to keep a clear distance from the cable laying vessel of at least ½ Nautical Mile.

 

The cable laying vessel will broadcast regular safety messages giving its current position and activity.

 

 Figure 1: Overview Chartlet

 

All mariners are reminded of their responsibilities under the International Collision Regulations and are reminded of Marine Notice No. 17 of 2007, which gives general advice in relation to the activities of vessels engaged in survey work for hydrographic, seismic, fishing research and underwater operations.

 

The International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) are implemented in Irish law by the Merchant Shipping (Collision Regulations) (Ships and Water Craft on the Water) Order 2012 [S.I. No. 507 of 2012], and the Signals of Distress (Ships) Rules 2012 [S.I. No.170 of 2012].  See Marine Notice No. 06 of 2013.  These Statutory Instruments may be purchased by mail order from Government Publications, Office of Public Works, 52 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.  Tel: (01) 6476834/1890213434.  They are also available online at: www.irishstatutebook.ie.

 

Marine Notices are issued purely for maritime safety and navigation reasons and should not be construed as conferring rights or granting permissions.

 

Irish Maritime Administration,

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,

Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60, Ireland.