through the water.
A new sea-bed based ROV by Fugro has been utilised successfully in cable-lay touchdown monitoring operations at the Rampion offshore wind farm.
A new, tracked-drive base unit, fitted to its FCV ROV, was used to ensure highly accurate cable positioning during cable lay operations in strong currents.
The tracked base unit ensures the continuation of operations in strong currents by enabling the ROV to run along the seabed instead of flying through the water. The unit is fitted to the existing ROV frame but can be detached easily if required.
It was developed following another project for E.ON at the Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm in 2015, where Fugro introduced a compact custom-made cable lay spread that included new 3D sonar technology to supplement ROV support and provide precise monitoring of cable touchdown. During this project in the North Sea Fugro experienced currents as high as 3.5 knots.
Mike Daniel, Aberdeen-based business manager for construction at Fugro Subsea Services said: “This innovative track base unit development will help to reduce vessel downtime while also providing accurate positioning.”
In August Fugro commenced cable laying operations at the Rampion site, off the Sussex coast, from its subsea construction vessel, the Fugro Symphony. Fitted out with a 2000t carousel along with lay spread, the vessel had loaded the first phase of 57 cables (approximately 75 kilometres) at the cable manufacturer’s facility in Hartlepool at the beginning of the month.
Having joined the project in earlier this month, the Fugro Saltire is currently conducting cable burial using one of Fugro’s Q1400 trenching systems.
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