North Hoyle Windfarm Report
6 MCA Radar trials 6.15 MCA larger vessel radar detection and ARPA evaluation To evaluate the effects of wind farm structures on type-tested radars using larger scanner sizes. The equipment required for this trial was:
In the week following the trials undertaken by the two lifeboats, on July 29th 2004, the P & O passenger / cargo ferry MV "Norbay" was used to make a passage around and through the wind farm. During this time her officers observed the wind farm service vessel "Fast Cat" which was carrying out the detection exercise through the wind farm. The "Norbay" was herself monitored by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board port radar, sited at Seaforth Dock, Liverpool and by the BHP Billiton radar at Gwaenysgor. The courses followed during the trial are shown in Figure 6-29. "Norbay" was fitted with Raytheon X and S-band radars, each with Raytheon M34 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA). "Fast Cat" was fitted with a Firdell Blipper 210-7 radar reflector. "Norbay" also monitored her communications systems, her Automatic Identification System (AIS) and her Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment whilst within and close to the wind farm (see the Masters exercise report in sub-subsection 6.16.3). "Norbay" has a length overall of 166.7 metres, beam 23.4 metres and 17,464 Gross Tonnage. Two photographs of the "Norbay" can be seen in Figure 6-30. Whilst a photograph of the "Fast Cat" and its radar reflector are shown in Figure 6-31. Figure 6-29: Larger vessel trials schematic Figure 6-30: MV "Norbay" Figure 6-31: "Fast Cat" and its "Blipper" radar reflector
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