Two of four cardinal buoys, which were deployed within the Northern Irish Wind Resource Zone as part of an offshore wind project, have drifted away from their positions.
Fugro EMU Limited has been commissioned by First Flight Wind Limited to install and maintain two MetOcean wave monitoring buoys, four accompanying markers, and two seabed frames for a period of approximately 2 years. Since the initial deployment in the middle of November, two cardinal buoys have left their positions.
A recovery vessel was mobilised but has been unable to locate the two off-position cardinal buoys. The Coastguard and other local stakeholders have been informed about the missing equipment.
Cardinal buoys are placed near wave buoys in order to increase visibility, and are equipped with navigation lights visible from up to 5 nm and configured to flash in accordance with IALA standards for cardinal marks.
First Flight Wind placed the equipment to collect wave, tide, temperature, current, salinity and turbidity data. The buoys will remain in situ for a period of approximately 2 years. All equipment will be serviced at 3-5 month intervals over the first year of this project with 6 monthly servicing scheduled during the second year.
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Source: KIS-ORCA, December 11, 2013; Image: First Flight Wind