Western HVDC Link Undersea Cable Installation to Start in October

Work on the installation of the Western HVDC Link undersea cable is due to start on the 5th October 2014 with expected completion by the end of October 2014, AWJ Marine informs.

The cable laying vessel Atalanti will install and bury the shallow water section of the Western HVDC Cable from the Wirral shore and for about 36km along the cable route. The tug Artemis will assist this operation.

Prior to laying the cable the Artemis will carry out a single Pre-Lay Grapnel Run, and the Atalanti will perform an ROV pre-lay survey along the route in conjunction with this.

When the survey is complete, Atalanti will move towards the Wirral landing point where it will be grounded (approximately 1.1km seaward of the Leasowe sea wall). Cable landing operations will then be conducted with the assistance of a support barge. Once landing operations are complete, the cable barge Atalanti will start cable lay and burial operations using a towed hydro plough.

During cable laying and survey operations the vessels working on the project will have restricted ability to manoeuvre and other vessels are requested to pass at a safe speed and distance.

The Western Link will be an undersea cable linking Ardneil in the Clyde with the Wirral in north-west England.

The main cable installation campaigns are due to be completed by February 2016.

Press Release, September 03, 2014; Image: Siemens