Trial operations of remotely piloted uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) are planned to take place in the Dundalk Bay area from this week until mid November.

Subject to weather and operational constraints, the operations will run for a period of four weeks from Thursday 20 October.

The XO-450-type USVs from Greenore-based Xocean will be engaged in survey activities for the proposed Oriel Wind Farm in the Irish Sea some 22km off the coast of Dundalk in Co Louth.

This is a non-invasive survey, Xocean says, and no contact with the seabed or any other infrastructure is planned during survey operations.

The USVs will send real-time images and situational awareness data over satellite to a team of operators keeping watch and controlling the vessel remotely 24/7.

Although the vessels are uncrewed, they are constantly monitored and controlled, and piloted remotely using 360-degree cameras and other navigational aids.

Each USV is equipped with AIS, navigation lights and a sound signal, an active radar reflector and a yellow-painted superstructure to make it conspicuous to other marine traffic.

All other vessels operating within the affected area are requested to avoid contact with any USV and be aware of the operational area during this period. A Radio Navigation Warning will be in place during operations.

Contact details, relevant coordinates and a map of the survey area are included in Marine Notice No 71 of 2022, attached below.

Survey operations conducted by an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) are taking place in Dundalk Bay this week.

The remotely piloted X-09 — from Greenore-based Xocean — was scheduled to launch from Clogherhead, Co Louth today, Tuesday 25 January, for the weeklong survey.

It will be engaged in survey activities supporting environmental research in the area. The survey will utilise multibeam echosounder to characterise the seabed across the site.

The USV sends real-time images and situational awareness data over satellite to a team of operators keeping watch and controlling the vessel remotely 24/7.

A Radio Navigation Warning will be in place during operations, and the USV has been made conspicuous to other marine traffic via its yellow superstructure, AIS, navigation lights and sound signal, and active radar reflector.

Coordinates and maps of the survey area are included in Marine Notice No 05 of 2022, attached below.

All other vessels operating within this area are requested to avoid contact with the USV and be aware of the operational area during this period.