Notice to Port of New Bedford Commercial and Recreational Mariners
Communications Protocol During Offshore Wind Vessel Transits
Reminder: to sign up for messages and updates, text “OSWVesselActivity” to (855)-641-4459
For questions: https://portofnewbedford.org/contactExplanation of temporary halts to barrier crossings and in-harbor movements
Vineyard Wind is currently marshalling for the first commercial‐scale offshore wind development at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal (NBMCT). Their installation will commence in earnest over the next few weeks. This will entail the frequent arrival and departure of large heavy‐lift offshore wind (OSW) vessels and barges to deliver and deploy offshore wind tower, nacelle and blade components.
Indicative Heavy Lift Vessel
Project Indicative Feeder Barges
In addition to the size of the vessels, the frequency of these transits – arrivals, departures, and in-port repositioning – will be greater than the Port has seen from large vessels. These transits present the potential for temporary disruptions to other movements in the harbor and are likely to draw interest and curiosity given their scale.
In order to ensure safe transit of the OSW vessels and most importantly to ensure the safety of all other port users, particularly commercial fishermen and recreational boaters, the New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA) is taking two primary steps:
1. Vessel Escorts: The NBPA will continue to provide vessel escorts to assist in the transit of large commercial vessels. Depending on the size, timing, weather conditions or other factors, this may include multiple escorts. The primary purpose of vessel escorts is to regulate/contain vessel traffic on each side of the hurricane barrier and within the harbor as vessels traverse the barrier opening, and to ensure a safe transit to the turning basin in front of State Pier and the Terminal channel. When vessels are being escorted, it will require a brief halt to all other traffic through the New Bedford hurricane barrier and surrounding the vessel as it traverses the harbor. Traffic will resume as soon as the New Bedford Harbormaster determines it is safe to do so. The below graphic from the NBMCT shows the transit route.
The New Bedford Harbormaster, in coordination with Fairhaven Harbormaster, will have responsibility and exclusive oversight of the vessel escorts. Escorts will be in place to ensure the safe and efficient transit of OSW vessels while minimizing any disruptions or delays to other commercial and recreational port users. During an escorted transit that necessitates a pause on commercial/recreational transits of the hurricane barrier, the Harbormaster will be in contact with the NB/Fairhaven bridge operator to coordinate an opening to accommodate any incoming vessels timing their arrival to reach the northern harbor. The goal will be to ensure a bridge opening is not missed due to an OSW vessel transit.
2. OSW Transits Communications: The NBPA will be communicating information received from Vineyard Wind and its’ contractors to port users regarding the timing of any OSW transits, so that sufficient preparation, planning, or schedule adjustments can be made. Due to a range of operational and weather factors, the actual arrival can deviate by several hours and even days from the targeted arrival time. NBPA will convey the Vineyard Wind‐sourced schedule information to Port Users in the following steps:
Roughly 48 Hours prior to scheduled arrival time: An SMS text will be sent to port users with a general targeted arrival time, with a two-hour window, and vessel type. In the event the vessel in question is expected to require a temporary halt to barrier opening transits, the information will include the anticipated timing for the Harbormaster’s start of the pause and the expected resumption barrier transits. To subscribe to these SMS text notifications, please Text “OSWVesselActivity” to (855)-641-4459.
Within 48 hours of scheduled arrival time: Due to a range of operational and weather factors, the actual arrival can deviate by several hours and even days from the targeted arrival time. If there are material changes to the targeted arrival time beyond the original two-hour window, NBPA will convey updates to Port Users via SMS text notifications. Port users may also monitor Channel 13, where the Harbormaster may communicate updates in the morning hours of each day.
Methods of Outreach/Communication
The NBPA will attempt to reach as many commercial operators – fishing boats, commercial freight, ferries –as possible to inform them of this communications protocol. We encourage all port users to share this information by word‐of‐mouth as well. NBPA will distribute this information multiple times to ensure broad distribution.
Managers of private marinas that receive this communication need to be responsible for conveying this information to all slip and mooring holders and transient mooring users. This should be done multiple times using varied methods including emails and postings at web‐based sites and information kiosks at your facilities.
Any changes to this communications protocol will be distributed through the SMS text process.
We appreciate your cooperation and attention to this notice.
Reminder: to sign up for messages and updates, text “OSWVesselActivity” to (855)-641-4459
For questions: https://portofnewbedford.org/contact
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About Vineyard Wind
Vineyard Wind LLC is an offshore wind development company that is building the first commercial-scale offshore wind energy project in the U.S., to be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Wind 1, based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is 50 percent owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and 50 percent by Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). For more information, visit www.vineyardwind.com.