Windfarm Insurance

[beneteau_305_553]

Went out to the windfarm off Gt Yarmouth last weekend.

There are now about 10 with blades installed and 20 still to go.

The blades are about 50 m Diameter and the posts are about 35 m high. an impressive sight but the tips of the blades are only about 8 m above MHWS.

There are no navigation bouys to mark them and they have no radar reflectors or even lights. The notice to mariners is vague "Windfarm. Works in progress"

Once the blades start turning what is the tip speed likely to be and who owns them? Are they insured? If the blades hit a boat can we claim off their insurance ? or will they claim off ours? who do we report damage to?

by the way, they havent got fenders out on any side

<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[lyc]

You mean these things?

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[alec]

Don't know about insurance Richard but thanks for letting us know where they are !

By the way, like us, some wind turbines are 3 bladed and some 2.

Anyone know why ?

Regards,

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[pandroid]

Errmm, but arent they on a sandbank? What would a yottie be doing there anyway?

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[beneteau_305_553]

The Scroby sands are about 1 mile to the south at the moment and the wind turbines are right on the side of the the commercial shipping lane between the Scoby Elbow buoy and the NW Scroby buoy which are about 3 miles apart. The shipping lane here is only 300 metres wide.

They are in about 10 m water which for round here is about as deep as it gets.

Looking at the chart and your depth sounder you would assume you could take a course 100 metres to the east side of the shipping lane but this would take you right through the middle of them.

In poor visibility without radar what would be the "good seamanship" route for a small yacht?

I am just making the point that they are now fixed in place and are obstructions to navigation. The position should be added to the charts so that we all know where they are.

They are also going to be a danger with the blades so close to the water.

<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[chasroberts]

I seem to remember reading that the RYA were pushing for a minimum of 15m between the blade tips and HWS. The companies wanted to do it at 10m but they lost the argument.

At only 8m above they are a definite danger to any shipping who happens to wander in there in fog at night etc. My air draught is about 14m. It makes me shudder to think about it....

I wonder if the RYA are aware of this? It might be worth one of the local clubs making contact?

Thanks for the info anyway. I'll update the charts.....

Chas

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper in excretum sum. Sole profundum variat!

 

[ode]

The turbines are located in an area of shallow water, ranging from 12m (chart LAT) on the Eastern edge of the Caister Road shipping channel to 0.2m within the turbine array, the site is known as Mid Scroby(insert chart references). Admiralty charts have been updated and now show the windfarm and the individual turbine locations. The turbines themselves are located on a tubular base structure 4.2m diameter, there are two vertical ladders providing access to a small deck located at 8m above MSL, the bases and the bottom section of the towers are painted yellow to 12m above HAT. The towers themselves are 60m from MSL to the centre of the blades, the blades have a sweep of 80m, this provides 20m clear air between the bottom of the blade and MSL. The blades face the wind and actually bend towards the tower during normal operation, therefore the distance out from the tower is not normally more than 2-3 meters, so to possibly hit a mast the vessel would have to be sailing very close to the structure, not something a responsible mariner should be attempting. As a member of the RYA and an offshore sailor myself I take the responsible attitude that offshore windfarms are like any other hazard within the marine environment and need to be treated with caution. They are very large steel structures and show up very clearly on radar, they have both aviation lighting and the aids to marine navigation (lights and fog horns) installed to the satisfaction of the MCA. The turbines are spaced out at 375m North to South and 500m East to West. Navigation through the windfarm is not advisable as the sands are very mobile and the water depth is constantly changing. I hope this answers some of the questions.

Andy Hilton
Project Manager Sdcroby Sands Offshore Windfarm Project

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[ode]

The turbines are located in an area of shallow water, ranging from 12m (chart LAT) on the Eastern edge of the Caister Road shipping channel to 0.2m within the turbine array, the site is known as Mid Scroby(insert chart references). Admiralty charts have been updated and now show the windfarm and the individual turbine locations. The turbines themselves are located on a tubular base structure 4.2m diameter, there are two vertical ladders providing access to a small deck located at 8m above MSL, the bases and the bottom section of the towers are painted yellow to 12m above HAT. The towers themselves are 60m from MSL to the centre of the blades, the blades have a sweep of 80m, this provides 20m clear air between the bottom of the blade and MSL. The blades face the wind and actually bend towards the tower during normal operation, therefore the distance out from the tower is not normally more than 2-3 meters, so to possibly hit a mast the vessel would have to be sailing very close to the structure, not something a responsible mariner should be attempting. As a member of the RYA and an offshore sailor myself I take the responsible attitude that offshore windfarms are like any other hazard within the marine environment and need to be treated with caution. They are very large steel structures and show up very clearly on radar, they have both aviation lighting and the aids to marine navigation (lights and fog horns) installed to the satisfaction of the MCA. The turbines are spaced out at 375m North to South and 500m East to West. Navigation through the windfarm is not advisable as the sands are very mobile and the water depth is constantly changing. I hope this answers some of the questions.

Andy Hilton
Project Manager Scroby Sands Offshore Windfarm Project

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[webcraft]

Sounds good to me . . .

Let's have more offshore and fewer on the Scottish hills. Why not fill Morecombe Bay for a start? Most of it's no use for sailing anyway.

- Nick

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[ode]

You can check out the planned areas for offshore windfarms on the BWEA website at www.bwea.com If anyone wants to know any more about the scroby sands offshore windfarm I can be contacted on email andy.hilton@ode-ltd.co.uk

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[lyc]

Are the rumours true that the cables have all had to be replaced and re-laid between the wind farm and the shore costing rather a lot of money because sea water had got into them?

What is the life expectancy of the wind farm?




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[ode]

No, sorry to dissapoint, we have had to replace one cable which as you rightly suggest had water ingress due to a faulty cap end. All the other cables are installed / being installed successfully. First power within the next few weeks and windfarm operational this summer.

Andy Hilton
Project Manager

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[lyc]

<No, sorry to dissapoint>

How can one cable failure be a disappointment if it means that the cable laying ship will be out of the shipping lane quicker?

A little touchy and overprotective perhaps? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

You have still avoided answering my question as to the life expectancy of the wind farm?



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