Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) has mobilised the Noordhoek Pathfinder vessel to support seabed clearance at an unnamed offshore wind farm located of the UK’s north-west coast.
ESS said it will use boulder grab equipment to remove an estimated 1700 boulders located over a 135km route in water depths of up to 60 metres.
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, the company said.
A survey spread onboard the vessel will also provide 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.”
Image: ESS
