Offshore Wind Farm Helicopter Search and Rescue Trials Annex Taken from Marine Guidance Note 275 (M) “ Proposed UK Offshore Renewable Energy Installations – Guidance on Navigational Safety Issues” MCA July 2004 “Annex 4 - Standards and procedures for wind turbine generator shutdown in the event of a search and rescue, counter pollution or salvage incident in or around a wind farm 1. Design Requirements The wind farm should be designed and constructed to satisfy the following design requirements for emergency rotor shut-down in the event of a searchand rescue (SAR), counter pollution or salvage operation in or around a windfarm: i. All wind turbine generators (WTGs) will be marked with clearly visible unique identification characters. The identification characters shall each be illuminated by a low-intensity light visible from a vessel thus enabling the structure to be detected at a suitable distance to avoid a collision with it. The size of the identification characters in combination with the lighting should be such that, under normal conditions of visibility and all known tidal conditions, they are clearly readable by an observer, stationed 3 metres above sea levels, and at a distance of at least 150 metres from the turbine. It is recommended that lighting for this purpose be hooded or baffled so as to avoid unnecessary light pollution or confusion with navigation marks. (Precise dimensions to be determined by the height of lights and necessary range of visibility of the identification numbers). ii. All WTGs should be equipped with control mechanisms that can be operated from the Central Control Room of the wind farm. iii. Throughout the design process for a wind farm, appropriate assessments and methods for safe shutdown should be established and agreed, through consultation with MCA and other emergency support services. iv. The WTG control mechanisms should allow the Control Room Operator to fix and maintain the position of the WTG blades as determined by the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre or Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRCC/SC). v. Nacelle hatches should be capable of being opened from the outside. This will allow rescuers (e.g. helicopter winch-man) to gain access to the tower if tower occupants are unable to assist and when sea-borne approach is not possible. vi. Access ladders, although designed for entry by trained personnel using specialised equipment and procedures for turbine maintenance in calm weather, could conceivably be used, in an emergency situation, to provide refuge on the turbine structure for distressed mariners. This scenarion should therefore be considered when identifying the optimum position of such ladders and take into account the prevailing wind, wave and tidal conditions. 2. Operational Requirements i. The Central Control Room should be manned 24 hours a day. ii. The Central Control operator should have a chart indicating the GPS position and unique identification numbers of each of the WTGs in the wind farm. iii. All MRCC/SCs will be advised of the contact telephone number of the Central Control Room. iv. All MRCC/SCs will have a chart indicating the GPS position and unique identification number of each of the WTGs in all wind farms. 3. Operational Procedures i. Upon receiving a distress call or other emergency alert from a vessel which is concerned about a possible collision with a WTG or is already close to or within the wind farm, the MRCC/SC will establish the position of the vessel and the identification numbers of any WTGs which are visible to the vessel. The position of the vessel and identification numbers of the WTGs will be passed immediately to the Central Control Room by the MRCC/SC. ii. The control room operator should immediately initiate the shut-down procedure for those WTGs as requested by the MRCC/SC, and maintain the WTG in the appropriate shut-down position, again as requested by the MRCC/SC, until receiving notification from the MRCC/SC that it is safe to restart the WTG. iii. Communication and shutdown procedures should be tested satisfactorily at least twice a year “ |