MONOPILE AND TRANSITION PIECE INSTALLATION
OFFSHORE WIND MARINER UPDATE NO. 83
REVISED
STATUS: Active
On or about the 29th of May 2023 the vessel ORION will begin installing the first six Monopile Foundations (MPs) and accompanying Transition Pieces (TPS) . The ORION plans to then install the offshore substation foundation. After that the ORION will then continue to install the remaining MPs and TPs. Per federal regulations and Vineyard Wind’s permitting documents, monopile installation may recommence in Spring 2024.
All vessels will be standing by on VHF channel 16
ORION
Flag: Belgium
Length: 710’
MMSI#: 205755000
The OSV ATLANTIC OCEANIC will be working alongside the ORION to deploy and recover a Big Bubble Curtain (BBC) system around pile driving operations. A bubble curtain is comprised of a large, perforated hose, coupled with specialized air compressors, that create a barrier of bubbles to dampen and absorb sound.
Before each pile driving operation, the BBC will be deployed on the seafloor, tested, and activated prior to the arrival of the ORION. The BBC hose will be deployed in a pre-determined ring around the foundation position. Installation of each bubble curtain will take approximately 2-4 hours. After completion of pile driving activities, the BBC gear will be recovered by the OSV ATLANTIC OCEANIC and brought to the next foundation installation location.
OSV ATLANTIC OCEANIC
Flag: USA
Length: 253’
MMSI#: 366907000
At select foundation locations, the ODYSSEA COURAGE will be deploying a secondary BBC system.
ODYSSEA COURAGE
Flag: USA
Length: 230’
MMSI#: 366677000
There will be Fishing Vessels operating around the activities as safety vessels to monitor traffic and facilitate the safe movement of fishing vessels, recreational craft, or other transiting vessels, around the work sites and project vessels. Safety Vessels are listed below and will rotate throughout the remainder of the construction activities.
Possible safety vessels in caution areas include:
Safety Vessels
F/V DONNY C
Flag: USA
Length: 92’
MMSI#: 367321640
F/V MADISON KATE
Flag: USA
Length: 84’
MMSI#: 636068580
F/V PAUL & MICHELLE
Flag: USA
Length: 85’
MMSI#: 367346110
HELEN H
Flag: USA
Length: 85’
MMSI#: 367554870
F/V CHATHAM
Flag: USA
Length: 89’
MMSI#: 368243330
F/V ATLANTIC
Flag: USA
Length: 97’
MMSI#: 366842350
F/V BETH ANNE
Flag: USA
Length: 75’
MMSI#: 367387310
F/V JACK M
Flag: USA
Length: 84’
MMSI#: 368250590
F/V KATHRYN MARIE
Flag: USA
Length: 74’
MMSI#: 367387310
F/V SOCATEAN
Flag: USA
Length: 72’
MMSI#: 368085730
F/V TORBAY
Flag: USA
Length: 81’
MMSI#: 368254690
F/V LILY M
Flag: USA
Length: 84’
MMSI#: 368231710
F/V FEARLESS
Flag: USA
Length: 109’
MMSI#: 366846740
F/V SAINTS & ANGELS
Flag: USA
Length: 105’
MMSI#: 367723210
All Mariners transiting or fishing in the area are requested to give a 0.5 NM wide berth to the ORION as it is limited in its ability to maneuver. Vessels in the vicinity of the operations are requested to operate in a manner as to not endanger the vessel or associated equipment. Passing arrangement can be made via VHF with the vessels.
All vessels will be standing by on VHF channel 16
Enhanced Mariner Information
For enhanced mariner information including map viewer and downloadable plotter files you may scan or click the QR code, or follow the below link. Help is available from the team at Quintham. To access the plotter files just click the area of interest to access the download.
Plotter files are available for most commercial and recreational navigation systems including, Windplots, Timezero, Google Earth, Olex, Furuno, Lowrance, Garmin and many others. The downloadable file includes locations of planned Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) foundations, Electrical Service Platform (ESP) foundation, Passive Acoustic Monitoring Device Location (PAM), Potential Unexploded Ordnance Location (pUXO), weather buoys, and boulder relocations.
LOCATION(S): OCS-A 501 lease area.
Please Note: The chart will be updated for each trip.
VINEYARD WIND
Crista Bank, Fisheries Manager, Cell: 508-525-0421 • Email: cbank@vineyardwind.com
Jeannot Smith, Marine Liaison, Cell: 904-613-0134 • Email: jsmith@vineyardwind.com
Travis Lowery, Fisheries Liaison, Cell: 508-728-4529 • Email: tlowery@vineyardwind.com
VineyardWind.com • info@vineyardwind.com • 508-717-8964
700 Pleasant Street, Suite 510 • New Bedford, MA 02740