James Fisher Renewables (JF Renewables) has completed the first part of a two-phase contract to investigate unexploded ordnance (UXO) and potential archaeological features ahead of the installation of export cables for RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located off the north-east coast of the UK.During September and October 2021, JF Renewables investigated 35 near shore targets to assess the need for disposal. Observation and work-class remotely operated underwater vehicles were successfully launched from a small vessel to facilitate a diver-less operation. From May 2022 onwards, up to 125 deep water targets will be investigated using the same approach. Any confirmed UXO targets will be removed using a ‘low order’ disposal technique to minimise the noise from the removal and therefore also reduce the risk of harm to marine mammals and sea life.
