As part of the London Gateway Project Geotechnical soil investigations will be undertaken consisting of drilling of boreholes, seabed vibro-cores borings, and cone penetration tests (CPT) at a large number of sites between the London Gateway site and the Sunk in Sea Reach, Oaze Deep, Knock John Channel and Black Deep. Additionally Geophysical survey operations will be undertaken in the area at the same time.
Work is expected to commence on or about 1st October 2008 for a period of approximately six weeks.
Borehole drilling
Borehole drilling will be undertaken by a jack up rig which will display lights and shapes in accordance with the International Collision Regulation rule 27 (d). Each borehole operation is expected to take around twelve hours before moving to the next position.
Vibro-core drilling & Cone Penetration Tests
Vibro-core & CPT surveys will be undertaken by survey vessel. Each survey is expected to take 15 to 30 minutes before moving to their next survey position.
Geophysical Surveys
Geophysical surveys will be undertaken by a survey vessel. Surveys vessels will consist of either towing a seismic float up to or bottom cable up to 20 metres astern of the vessel.
Survey vessels will be display in accordance with International Collision Regulation rule 27 (b) restricted in ability to manoeuvre lights and shapes.
As the contactors who will be undertaking this work are yet to be nominated the names of jack up rig and survey vessels are not known at time of publication of this notice. The latest information on works can be obtained from London VTS. The jack up rig and survey vessels names, positions will be included on river and estuary broadcasts.
The survey vessels and jack up rig will maintain a listening watch on London VTS VHF channels 68 or 69 as appropriate.
All vessels are to proceed with caution passing the jack up rig and survey vessels giving them a wide berth.
