EGS International Ltd is undertaking a geophysical survey campaign for a proposed offshore wind farm and associated export cable corridor centred around Sceirde Rocks, off the west coast of Ireland near Galway.
The survey was set to commence last week on Friday 10 June and will continue throughout June, July and possibly into August, weather permitting.
The operations will take place in two locations: the Wider Array Site off the coast of Connemara and the Export Cable Corridor (ECC) to the west of the Aran Islands and towards the coast of Co Clare.
The work is being conducted by the EGS Ventus (callsign V7119), which will display the appropriate day shapes/signals and lights as required by the COLREGS and maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16 and Digital Selective Calling (DSC).
The vessel will be towing survey equipment astern at 4 knots, which will restrict its ability to manoeuvre. All other vessels operating within this area are requested to keep their distance and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.
Contact details, coordinates and maps of the survey areas are included in Marine Notice No 36 of 2022, attached below.
Elsewhere, Fugro is engaged in a geotechnical site survey campaign for wind farms in the South Irish Sea (off the Wexford coast) and North Celtic Sea (off the Waterford coast).
Operations were expected to begin on Sunday 12 June and will continue till approximately Tuesday 28 June, weather allowing.
The work is being conducted by the Normand Mermaid (callsign LAXH7) on a 24-hour basis. The vessel will display appropriate lights and markers.
For further details see Marine Notice No 35 of 2022, also attached below.