2002, Safetec UK Ltd, Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm, Collision Risk Assessment

Description

Enron Wind Gunfleet Ltd. (Enron Wind) have commissioned Safetec UK Ltd (Safetec) to undertake a collision risk assessment of the Gunfleet Sands area. This assessment assists to identify any concerns within the area in order that the proposed wind turbine locations and cable laying / routing can be planned with due regard to minimising the impact upon the environment, and improving working efficiency within the project. The outcomes of the study identified there was a large amount of traffic (10,222 vessels per annum) passing within 10nm of the proposed development area.  However, it is noted that approximately 99% of this traffic passes at least 3.7nm from the area of interest, which is considered to be a safe passing distance.  This passing traffic is associated with the ports/docks accessed via the Thames such as Tilbury dock, Thames port and Medway port, and due to the nature of their current course these vessels tend to naturally avoid the area of interest as they navigate between the sandbanks and associated shallow waters via the recommended deepwater routes through the Thames Estuary.  It is also considered that due to the position of the proposed development area within the Gunfleet Sands, vessels passing on the closed passing route (No.1) will be unaffected by the development as they already navigate to avoid the Gunfleet Sands.