Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) has mobilized the Noordhoek Pathfinder to support seabed clearance work for a wind farm project located offshore north-west England.
ESS will utilize boulder grab equipment to remove an estimated 1700 boulders located over a 135 km route in water depths of up to 60 meters.
The boulder grab spread will be used for displacing obstacles nearshore and in low density areas and will complement other seabed clearance operations being performed using ESS’s own SCAR2 seabed system.
A survey spread onboard the vessel will also provide the unnamed client with data showing the target boulders prior to displacement and final positions after removal from the seabed corridor.
ESS operations director, Mo Petrie said: “By combining the use of our own SCAR2 system and managing the boulder grabbing phase, we are able to offer the client the most cost-effective and time efficient option for a safe and environmentally friendly clearance of the seabed, while also minimizing disruption to the critical path of the overall project.
“The performance experienced so far underlines our capabilities in dealing with boulders issues on behalf of clients.”