#MarineNotice - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that a drilling operation will be undertaken off the south coast of Ireland from next week.
The Ocean Guardian rig (Callsign V7FF7) is due to commence operations on well 'A' in Block 49/11 from 22-24 July and remain on location until the end of August, subject to weather conditions.
This semi-submersible drilling rig will be positioned using eight anchors deployed by attending anchor handling vessels.
It is proposed to pre-lay this anchor pattern using the anchor handling vessels MV BOA Bison (Callsign LDPN) and MV Siem Topaz (Callsign LARI).
The period between anchor pre-lay and the drilling rig taking up station is expected to be five to seven days, during which time the guard vessel MV Mainport ASH (Callsign V7IQ7) will remain on station. All will be listening on VHF Channel 16 throughout the operation.
All other vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the rig and related work vessels a wide berth and to keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.
Co-ordinates for the rig heading and anchor placements are detailed in Marine Notice No 34 of 2015, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.
