Contractor dives into marine renewables

They have been working at Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm off the North Wales coast for RWE Npower. The work has included GPS plotting of cables and an emergency call out service for any eventuality which might arise at the wind farm.

This project continues the company’s expansion into the renewable energy market after its involvement at the Centrica Lynn and Inner Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm last year, working for Subocean.

HSSE anticipates continuing growth in the renewable energy sector, having already worked on a number of wind farms and tidal energy projects including the Seagen project for MCT in Stranford Lough, Northern Ireland.

Ian Hughes, HSSE managing director said, ‘We aim to provide clients in the renewable energy market a one stop shop of services above and below the surface, ranging from diving and roped access to consultancy at the highest levels of professionalism’.

Away from their work in the renewable energy sector, HSSE divers have also been involved in the dive operation on a shipwreck off the coast of Anglesey. The wreck is thought to be a relief ship sent by French King Louis XV to supply Charles Edward Stuart, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie, with gold coins, weapons and troops whilst he was in hiding in the Scottish Isles after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The divers have already found a section of anchor chain from the wreck and a cannon ball along with a sounding weight. They hope to recover the cargo from the wreck in due course along with divers from Maritime Resurgence Ltd, who are leading the project.

HSSE is also working as the sole diving contractor for the Environment Agency and is contracted to maintain water cooling systems at various power stations in the UK including Fiddlers Ferry, owned by Scottish and Southern Energy on the banks of the River Mersey.