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Offshore wind farms
have the potential to interfere with other marine traffic
such as commercial shipping, fishing boats and recreational
craft. To minimise this possible interference Scira was careful
to choose a site that is within the 12nm territorial limit
and clear of the main shipping routes.
Safety is a major priority for Scira in all aspects of the development of the wind farm and therefore the scale of any potential interference with coastal navigation has to be analysed. Scira has therefore conducted radar surveys in line with the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requirements to determine marine traffic movements in the vicinity of the proposed site.
If the Sheringham
Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is granted planning permission, the
wind turbines will be marked and lit with the appropriate
navigational aids such as foghorns, markers, buoys and marine
lighting. The wind farm will also be properly identified on
Admiralty Charts. During the construction phase, and perhaps
during maintenance periods, it will also be required to provide
other mariners with notices of pending work.
The wind industry has
been proactive with respect to some concerns about the potential
impact of offshore wind farms on marine vessels’ radar. Together
with the Department for Transport, the wind industry has carried
out sea trials involving ships at the North Hoyle wind farm
off the coast of Wales. The results have confirmed that there
is minimal impact of offshore wind farms on communication
systems, Automatic Identification Systems, Global Positioning
System, (GPS) data and magnetic compasses.
Information from studies such as these and through our consultations
with other marine users will help us determine the positioning
and configuration of our wind turbines at sea.
Results of Surveys
A navigational risk assessment, based on a detailed review of navigational aspects and a number of surveys, was undertaken to determine the impact of the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm on shipping and navigation.
The level of shipping navigating through the wind farm site is low with merchant shipping tending to avoid the area due to the surrounding shallows. There would be a minor adverse impact on merchant vessels, fishing and recreational activity in the area.
For merchant shipping, the use of safety zones around each structure of up to 500m would be implemented to ensure safety, whereby vessels would not be allowed to enter. A smaller safety zone, yet to be determined, would be applied to fishing and recreational vessels. All requisite day and night marks and lights will be used to ensure safety of navigation.
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