Cable load-out ops for the Kentish Flats Extension project saw cable-laying barge, ‘Nostag 10’, be the first to arrive at the NSW’s factory berth in Nordenham on Friday May 1.
According to the company, loading progressed quickly and by Saturday evening all array cables had been safely loaded onto the vessel.
Sunday morning saw the cable-laying vessels ‘BoDo Installer’ alongside the berth and start of loading of the export cables was finished successfully on Tuesday May 5 but, according to the company, not without Mother Nature’s slight interference.
With only 600 metres of cable left to load, a thunderstorm moved in and operations were delayed for a few hours. High winds then meant the barge had to find a sheltered berth at Bremerhaven where cages for the concrete mattresses were installed.
Final loading of mattresses and the excavator is expected by Wednesday, May 13 and if the weather continues to behave itself, Nostag 10 should reach its planned destination later this week.
“The project team are very happy that, despite Mother Nature’s input, all components are on schedule. With any offshore project there is little control over the great British weather. Experience has taught us to factor in some tolerance however, and our contractors will make full use of any windows. We remain optimistic that summer will begin soon,” says the company in a statement.