Kyle Rhea occasional closures this summer

[cpedw]

Kyle Rhea is the sort of place where once you've entered it, you can't turn back as the current is so fast. So what will they do if someone unknowingly enters the passage?

Again details are vague so far but I heard that guard boats will be involved. Initially, they were to be in the immediate vicinity of the work but there have been representations pointing out the need to keep boats out of the channel altogether. I'm glad I'm not in charge ...

 

[Mark-1]

Lets be honest, do leisure sailors routinely check NtMs? Doubt i ever have in 20+ years. Mostly irrelevant.
And as no known dates yet probably too soon for a formal.NtM.
Best source of info for Kyle Rhea is almost certainly Mallaig Harbour Master - and locals of course.

No, but these days important ones make it onto YBW/Whatsapp groups/Social Media.

So I expect word will get out.

 

[jdc]

The following is in the Marine Scotland licence submission:

"Detailed method can found within section 4.3 and 4.3.1 of the Kyle Rhea MEA (Document Reference: J/7/24/22). Schedule of works can be found in section 4.3.1.2 with anticipated reconductoring works scheduled for 20 days within the period July - September 2026.

The proposed works include the like for like reconductoring between the existing steel towers across Kyle Rhea. The methodology is aerial based with the only marine related element being the presence of guard vessels, to ensure safety of vessel traffic. Existing conductors will be placed on running out wheels with the replacement coductors secured to dyneema rope and pulled across. Catenary support blocks will be utilised to support the load, which in the event of a parting conductor also serve to prevent the the system falling into the marine environment.

It is proposed to have a 200m closure corridore[sic] during re-stringing to ensure the safety of any vessels in the area."

 

[dunedin]

How can it make any sense to have a “200m closure corridor” in Kyle Rhea?
It sounds like the operations are all way above the waterways, so not clear why a reduced safe height limit would not be more appropriate, as when doing maintenance on bridges.
And perhaps this could be combined with retaining an open corridor for navigation - though in the Kyle perhaps 100m would be more than sufficient.

But to have a closure area of 200m in a place with 6-8 knot tides would be nonsense - other than high speed power boats, and small vessel getting within 250m of the cables other than at slack water is likely going to continue straight through whether want to or not.

 

[bikedaft]

I suspect they will limit the work to around slack for the above reasons.

 

[jdc]

I think we may be over-thinking this. The prohibition on boats passing underneath overhead working is normal - no way would it be allowed on building sites, and I wouldn't be comfortable sailing underneath power-lines until they are permanently attached.

We don't know the marshalling system, but there are good small craft anchorages at either end without strong tides, and as long as not exceeding F4 or 5 from due S the marshalling could just hold boats from entering the fast tidal section until a convoy is allowed through. Convoys are not absurd - for instance has anyone transited Amsterdam by the fixed mast route? And if the wind exceeds F5 - which makes the anchorage at Bernera / Glenelg too exposed - the stringing of cables might well be paused anyway. So my bet is it'll be professional and courteous and no big deal. It's not the Solent on a Sunday afternoon - most sailors in there parts are pretty competent!

 

[zoidberg]

It's not the Solent on a Sunday afternoon - most sailors in there parts are pretty competent!

INCOMING!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Methodology for pulling the cables across is quoted below from the first link document Section 4.3. Installation Methodology, 4.3.1. Aerial Reconductoring, 4.3.1.1. Methodology, Page 13: -

The planned methodology for replacement of the cables utilises Running Out Wheels (ROW) and a
puller/tensioner system. The system involves setting up Equipotential Zones/pulling sites (EPZ), that
are set up adjacent to the anchor towers, behind the crossing towers. The existing conductor is
placed into the ROW on both crossing towers, and both anchor towers, in preparation for
‘continuous tension stringing’ works. The existing conductor is used to pull the new conductor, the
conductors are connected to each other using a system of stockings/pre-forms and swivels. Works
cannot be carried out in wind speeds greater than 20 mph. A closure corridor of 200 m will be
required. In an emergency, e.g. RNLI Lifeboat needing access across the safety corridor, all conductor
works will cease and the conductor will be made safe. The ROW and puller/tensioner are presented
in Figure 4-3.
This process is repeated along each of the conductor and earth cables until all cables have been
replaced. The system allows recovery and redeployment of broken conductors, without the need to
significantly affect the marine environment within the Kyle Rhea Strait.

https://marine.gov.scot/sites/default/files/marine_environment_assessment_report_redacted.pdf

Also note that air draft will be reduced when the new cables are installed, which is not a concern for many yachts.

Project Details and link to request updates on the project can be found here. Note this is the whole project, not just the Kyle crossing https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/skye-reinforcement/

 

[awol]

My information, by hearsay, is that closures will be 1000-1600.

So that leaves about 14 hours of daylight in mid-summer. Plenty of time for passage both ways.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

So that leaves about 14 hours of daylight in mid-summer. Plenty of time for passage both ways.

Only if the tides are right. You don't go against the tide in Kyle Rhea.

 

[awol]

Only if the tides are right. You don't go against the tide in Kyle Rhea.

I think you will find that at some time in the 14 hours of daylight the tide is flowing your way! Of course, you don't need a favourable tide for very long - I've seen over 15kts SOG.