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Baker Consultants’ marine acoustics team has won a contract to provide a noise and marine mammal monitoring service during the construction phase of the Borkum Riffgrund 1 offshore wind farm.

The construction work for the 77 turbine DONG Energy project was won by GeoSea which is using the vessel Pacific Orca for the piling operations that began in January 2014. The project is situated in German waters where a strict regulatory regime is in place to control noise pollution in the marine environment.

Baker Consultants’ service includes both noise monitoring during piling operations and recording the passage of species such as harbour porpoise.

Andrew Baker, managing director said: “Our technical expertise in noise and bioacoustics allows us to provide GeoSea with a dual service thereby reducing costs.”

In addition to the deployment of noise monitoring devices in the field during the piling works, Baker Consultants will provide GeoSea with consultancy services on method statements and technical support to comply with the German regulatory authority (BSH) and interpretation of the significant amount of data that will be collected. Baker Consultants’ bid was the logical choice, both technically and commercially.

Baker Consultants has a dedicated team of noise experts and bio acousticians that provides a comprehensive service at all stages of project development, from modelling potential impacts to informing the Environmental Impact Assessment and monitoring during construction and operational phases.

GeoSea is a fast growing company specialising in complex offshore maritime projects. The company is part of the Belgian DEME Group that is active across the globe. GeoSea aims to further strengthen its position in the leading group of companies that specialise in developing renewable energy and building wind farms at sea.

Press Release, February 05, 2014; Image: DONG Energy