Windfarms

[philip_stevens]

After reading the latest Navtex from Netherlands Coastguard, it is not just the windfarm towers you have to miss.

ZCZC PA94
NETHERLANDS COASTGUARD
NAVIGATIONALWARNING NR 94 210605UTC DEC
LOST FOUR WINDMILL BLADES
SIZE 21 X 1,5 METERS IN POSITION
52-37.1N 003-17.5E
CONSIDERED DANGEROUS FOR NAVIGATION
CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 211435UTC DEC
NNNN

"Considered Dangerous" - no joke!!

Reference: Copyright 2003 Atlantis Sailing Ltd/Mark Hawkins

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Bergman]

To lose one blade is unfortunate - to lose four smacks of careless.

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[Trevor_swfyc]

Probably caused by the wrong sort of wind.

Trevor

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[RJD]

Can any erudite person say whether they float or not??? - I hope not!

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[seaesta]

The big one off Blyth is firmly rooted on piles in shallow water. I believe the sites chosen for the next generation all feature suitable ground for fixing them to the seabed. Whilst the wind farms are a potential hazard if you strike one I think they will prove to be most interesting and useful way-marks. If I were building one I would put it where the tanker captains cannot hit it - in very shallow water!!

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[charles_reed]

It\'s the blades

that get shed - and yes they are lighter than water so float.

I was told that they're valued at £13K each - and need a long-load notice when they're being transported for servicing.

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[philip_stevens]

Re: It\'s the blades

What was not said on the Navigation Warning, was whether they were lost off of the tower or lost in transit.

How much did you say - £13K. Get the boats into the water and start searching!!

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[TheBoatman]

Re: It\'s the blades

Charles
Get the spanners out,, I smell profit here, Salvage. We can wait until the Thames Estuary ones are going then sneek out at night<s>

As an aside I wonder what lights they will be showing?

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[charles_reed]

they should be easier

to tow than a fishfarm.

I saw a 5.16m outboard-engined runabout trying to handle this 12m x 12m fishfarm, whilst anchored in Ajaccio Bay.

I discovered, from the gendarmarie maritime, 24 hours later that that I'd seen an example of fish-rustling.
It took me about another 8 hours and uncounted glasses of vin rouge before my deposition was completed to the satisfaction of the examining magistrate.

Very strange people the Corsicans.

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[philip_stevens]

Re: they should be easier

No. I disagree about "Very strange people the Corsicans". Taking "8 hours and uncounted glasses of vin rouge", is about right. Nothing strange about them. They've got their priorities right. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif



<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[charles_reed]

Those were the French

Who were taking the deposition and feeding me the vin rouge - not Corsicans

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[philip_stevens]

Re: Those were the French

Well, whoever it was, has good taste. I just hope it was good Rhone valley red wine.

Had a bottle or two for Christmas lunch/dinner. Went down a treat. Elderly parents (85/86) are now well asleep on the lounge settee.

SWMBO is out for a walk with no.2 son, so I thought this would be a good, quiet time to have a look at R2R.

Merry Christmas, Charles.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip