Marine Current Turbines issued a Notice to Mariners regarding the planned operations on the SeaGen tidal turbine system which may impact navigation.

The operations will be conducted in Strangford Lough on a tidal turbine comprising of a central pile and crossbeam that holds the turbines at the extremities.

When the crossbeam is raised above the water it presents a 43m wide obstruction in the narrows at a height of 5.9m from chart datum.

Today the crossbeam will be raised for inspection and maintenance works. As Marine Current Turbines reports, the work will last for 28 days and notification about the operations will be made on VHF Ch67.

For safety, it is requested that all crafts keep a safe distance of at least 50m from the SeaGen pile whilst the crossbeam is raised. Vessel operators are respectfully requested to set an appropriate course at the earliest opportunity.

Subsea World News Staff, February 03, 2014