Sea users
Navitus Bay has undertaken extensive marine traffic surveys and analysis of the shipping lanes in the Solent to monitor the movement of vessels in and around the proposed offshore development area. This data has been used in conjunction with other baseline data sets to assess navigational safety in proximity to the proposed wind park.
DATA COLLECTION
The period of data collection was designed to take into consideration shipping activity throughout the year and under a range of tidal conditions. During the winter survey (February/March 2012), data was gathered from a shore-based survey at Durlston Head. During the summer survey (August 2012), data from the shore-based station was supplemented by a dedicated survey vessel to provide additional coverage in the vicinity of the western Solent approaches. Shore-based data collection is ongoing and will be used to validate data sets.
Analysis of the vessel types recorded within ten nautical miles of the proposed development area in August 2012 showed that the majority were recreation vessels. The second most common were commercial cargo vessels. As part of the EIA, risks to recreational crafts have been considered in conjunction with consultation responses. The wind park would be constructed using Royal Yachting Association guidance on key safety elements.
CONSULTATION
Alongside these studies, Navitus Bay has been liaising with the Marine Management Organisation, Trinity House, the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as well as local sailing and yachting clubs. This forms part of the Navigational Safety Risk Assessment and will feed into the final Environmental Statement (ES). In response to the comments received from these stakeholders, and a desire to respond positively to feedback from the public and local MPs regarding the visual impact of the proposals, Navitus Bay announced that it would push back the north-western boundary of the proposed wind park further out to sea. This decision, announced in December 2012, will preserve the important role of the western approach to Hurst Point as a navigational aid, while increasing the navigable sea room to the north of the site for vessels. A further boundary change was announced in February 2014, which scaled back the wind park further in order to reduce the visual impact of the development.
Navitus Bay has also engaged widely with local commercial fishermen and those who use the area for commercial activities in order to understand patterns of vessel movement and to identify those who may be affected in some way by the project. Navitus Bay will continue to consult with fishermen and their associated communities to inform its understanding of current activity and establish the impacts that the proposed development may have. To further enhance its understanding, Navitus Bay employs a Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) whose role is to build and foster close links with the fishing community.
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING
Commercial shipping would be able to sail around the wind park, both during construction and when in operation. Once fully operational, yachts and motor-boats would be able to pass between the turbines. At every stage, Navitus Bay will consult with ferry operators, councils and other organisations, such as the MCA and Trinity House, to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
As per MCA requirements, a rolling 500 metre safety zone would be established around construction vessels and turbines in construction. In addition to this, 50 metre safety zones would be established around non-operational and incomplete turbines to reduce the collision risk associated with partially visible and potentially unmarked structures. During the operational phase, it is proposed that sailing vessels are able to enter the wind park area. Spacing between the turbines is yet to be determined but there will be a minimum distance of 756 metres between each turbine.
