5 Conclusions

The aim of the Shipping and Navigation Road Map is to compile meetings, discussions, areas of agreement and outstanding non-alignment that has been achieved in relation to the Shipping and Navigation topic for the offshore EIA and acts as a factual record of the information provided to MS-LOT and its statutory advisors at the point of Application with which to make a determination for Section 36 Consent and Marine Licences. This forms the basis of the EIA assessment presented within the Offshore EIA Report for the Proposed Development.

 

Further discussions post-Application will take place once volume 2, chapter 13 and volume 3, appendix 13.1 have been reviewed by the stakeholders to confirm their position and to establish a final agreement.


6 References

IALA (2021). IALA Recommendation O-139 on The Marking of Man-Made Offshore Structures. Edition 2. Saint Germain en Laye, France: IALA.

IALA (2021). IALA Guidance G1162 The Marking of Offshore Man-Made Structures. Edition 2. Saint Germain en Laye, France: IALA.

IMO (2018). Revised Guidelines for Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) for Use in the Rule-Making Process. MSC-MEPCC.2/Circ.12/Rev.2. London: IMO.

MCA (2021). Marine Guidance Note 654 (Merchant and Fishing) safety of Navigation: offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) – Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Response. Southampton: MCA.

MS-LOT (2022). Berwick Bank Wind Farm Scoping Opinion.

PIANC (2018). Guidance on the Interaction between Offshore Wind Farms and Maritime Navigation. Brussels: PIANC.

RYA (2019). The RYA’s Position on Offshore Renewable Energy Developments: Paper 1 (of 4) – Wind Energy. 5th revision. Southampton: RYA.

RYA (2019). UK Coastal Atlas of Recreational Boating 2.1. Southampton: RYA.

SSER (2020). 2020 Berwick Bank Wind Farm Offshore Scoping Report.

SSER (2021a). Berwick Bank Wind Farm Scoping Report. Available at: 3. Site Selection Methodology and Consideration of Alternatives (berwickbank-eia.com)

7 Annex A: Marine Traffic Survey Scope

A.1 Summary of Marine Traffic Survey Scope

In line with MGN 654 (MCA, 2021), it was necessary to undertake a vessel traffic survey within the Proposed Development array area and proximity. The vessel-based surveys involved a single dedicated vessel positioned centrally to provide optimal coverage of the Proposed Development array area.

A requirement of MGN 654 is for a minimum of 28 days of seasonally varied data which is usually collected during two, 14-day surveys, in summer and winter. MGN 654 also requires projects to have up-to-date traffic surveys of the area undertaken within 12 months prior to submission of the Environmental Statement, although this can be extended to a maximum of 24 months. It also states this should include all the vessel types found in the area and should take account of seasonal variations in traffic patterns and fishing operations.

Following stakeholder liaison with the MCA, Forth Ports and NLB in June 2020, additional stakeholder consultation with regards to small vessel activity, and analysis of 12 months of historical AIS data within the NRA was required, in order to mitigate for the potential impacts on COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on vessel activities during 2020.

A.2 References

Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 654 (2021). Offshore Renewable Energy Installations - Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Response (April 2021). Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/980898/MGN_654_-_FINAL.pdf. Accessed: June 2021.

[1] These meetings span stages 2 and 3