Offshore Wind Farm construction starts.

[lenseman]

The following will effect anyone leaving The Wash and heading north towards the Humber. It is 4nm offshore from Skegness:


ENGLAND-EAST COAST.

1. WIND FARM UNDER CONSTRUCTION UNTIL FURTHER
NOTICE, MARKED BY BUOYS IN AREA BOUND BY
53-15.17N 000-30.35E, 53-13.80N 000-30.94E,
53-12.45N 000-31.46E, 53-10.97N 000-31.50E,
53-09.07N 000-31.49E, 53-07.54N 000-29.79E,
53-09.45N 000-28.05E, 53-14.67N 000-27.02E.

 

[alexrunic]

you can still get up the inside they have left a 2 mile ish wide channel. The new ones are going out side the existing ones but there will cover the gap that's between the two existing farms. Might be more of a problem if coming from Cromer to the humber but not actually plotted it on a chart, but should not be a huge diversion to miss them in any case.

 

[bastonjock]

when wiil the first race around the windmills take place?

 

[alexrunic]

i think we should organise one, i often sail around the existing one the new one will take a long time it goes out nearly to the dowsing from memory

 

[peterb]

Just remember that there is a prohibited zone of 500m radius round each turbine during the construction stage. Once they're up and running that shrinks to 50m. Perfectly OK to sail through an operational farm, but a bit risky while under construction.

 

[Athene V30]

Perfectly OK to sail through an operational farm,

Has anyone done this? Won't it be a bit like passing within a few boat lengths downwind of a racing fleet - wind shadows and dirty air making sailing 'challenging'.

 

[PaulGooch]

Just remember that there is a prohibited zone of 500m radius round each turbine during the construction stage. Once they're up and running that shrinks to 50m. Perfectly OK to sail through an operational farm, but a bit risky while under construction.

Aren't these zones advisory, rather than restrictions ?

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have sailed through the windfarm at the Kentish Flats coming out of the East Swale with no problem.The clearance of the bottom of the rotors is set to 22m as a minimum(by legislation I understand) and the spacing between rows to 300m.So no reason not to if it is on your straight line and the weather and sea state are applicable.

 

[peterb]

I have sailed through the windfarm at the Kentish Flats coming out of the East Swale with no problem.The clearance of the bottom of the rotors is set to 22m as a minimum(by legislation I understand) and the spacing between rows to 300m.So no reason not to if it is on your straight line and the weather and sea state are applicable.

Clearance was set by agreement originally, but now accepted by custom.

First firm we talked to (Baltic based) had set a clearance of 4m. When we asked what that was above, they said "Chart Datum". That with a MHWS of 5m!

 

[Stork_III]

Aren't these zones advisory, rather than restrictions ?

Don't think so.

 

[PaulGooch]

Don't think so.

According to this, it's advisory :

http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=2711

 

[Stork_III]

According to this, it's advisory :

http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=2711

Seems to be advisory for the Gabbard, but possibly not for the London Array, See here http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/London Array _2_.pdf

As it says in your link RYA are opposing or not on a case by case basis, confused or what.

 

[PaulGooch]

Seems to be advisory for the Gabbard, but possibly not for the London Array, See here http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/London Array _2_.pdf

As it says in your link RYA are opposing or not on a case by case basis, confused or what.

Confusing indeed. Pity they couldn't come up with something consistent that applied to all wind farms.

 

[Stork_III]

The Skegness zone appears to compulsory. http://www.ryaeast.org/new_site/documents/gunfleet/noisesurvey.pdf

Thanet had (has) a 500m compulsory zone during construction, as did Gunfleet.

 

[PeterR]

Most of the Gabbard site is outside UK territorial waters.

http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/

How can the goverment impose any compulsory restriction?

 

[alexrunic]

During construction it is compulsory and I've heard boats being called up on the vhf and told to move away. Once they are operational I don't think they are and they are certainly not enforced i have sailed very close and the Windcats have been close by and not contacted me on the radio or anything

 

[Stork_III]

Most of the Gabbard site is outside UK territorial waters.

http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/

How can the goverment impose any compulsory restriction?

It is advisory on the Gabbard, see link in Paul Gooch post.