Ferry operators have raised serious concerns about navigational safety in the Irish Sea, warning that the proposed Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm will create a hazardous “bottleneck” for vessels.
The Steam Packet and Stena Line both gave evidence at a public hearing into the proposed windfarm, describing the potential risks more turbines will have in the Irish Sea.
Robert Hunter, marine manager for the Steam Packet Company, said the cumulative effect of multiple wind farms would force vessels into a constrained area.
“Our main concerns with the gap are based on a cumulative approach, not in isolation,” he said. “Cumulatively, we see our ferry routes being displaced from the Morgan field further to the north.”
He described the situation as creating a “bottleneck” where vessels of all types would need to navigate in close proximity.
“All manner of vessels will be involved in that, and they will all intersect at a point where they’ll have to negotiate each other within the constraints of the COLREGS,” he added.
Funnel
Mike Proctor of Stena Line highlighted that the construction of multiple wind farms would “funnel” marine traffic into designated channels, removing the option for vessels to take shelter in the lee of the island during adverse weather.
“The funnelling of the traffic and also the fact that traffic will have more points of convergence at the corners of the various wind farms are concerns for ourselves,” he said.
Mr Proctor explained that the weather routing, “freedom which the Masters currently have to make alterations of course in order to alleviate motions on the vessel is now going to be constricted somewhat”.
The Steam Packet also raised concerns about emergency scenarios, noting that in a restricted environment, a vessel’s ability to manoeuvre is “severely curtailed”.
The applicant, Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited, maintains that its navigational risk assessment shows the 4.1 nautical mile gap is safe and that risks have been reduced to “as low as reasonably practicable”.
The company has pointed to other consented wind farm corridors of similar width as precedent.