CGS TOW TO WHITE ROSE FIELD

CGS Tow Out of Placentia Bay to the White Rose Field

The tow of the West White Rose Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS) from its current location at the Head of Placentia Bay, to the White Rose Field is expected to begin on June 11-12.

Harvesters in 3L can expect frequent reminders and ongoing communication leading up to and during the CGS movements.

Details:

Expected Start Date of the Tow Operation (from the Inshore Ballast Site): Estimated to begin June 11-12

Duration of the Tow Operation Out of Placentia Bay: Estimated 48 hours

Duration of the Tow Operation from Placentia Bay to the West White Rose Field: Estimated 6-8 days.

Vessels Involved: Horizon Arctic, Atlantic Kestrel, DOF Minder, DOF Cutter, DOF Mover, Olympic Triton

Map of Tow Route with Coordinates and Waypoints is Posted on the FFAW Website:

Gear Removal: It is recognized that some harvesters may set their gear in and/or near the shipping lanes. To prevent any gear loss or entanglement with the tow fleet, harvesters are asked to remove their gear from the tow route (see link above), 36-24 hours before the start of the tow through 3L.

A Fisheries Guide Vessel (FGV) and a Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) have been contracted to participate in the tow operation. The FGV will survey the tow route for fishing activity in advance of the CGS movement, and will survey the route on a continuous basis during the towing operations. The FGV and FLO will provide on the water communications support for harvesters and will work to identify any gear in tow path (and endeavor to contact its owner for removal).

Updates during the tow operations (such as notices of any delays, etc.), will be sent to harvesters by FFAW-Unifor in addition to any regular vessel traffic notices.

In the unfortunate event of gear loss or damage, there is a program for harvesters to be reimbursed for their lost or damaged gear attributable to the CGS tow operations. Details can be found here: https://www.cenovus.com/Our-operations/Offshore#:~:text=Cenovus%20has%20developed%20the%20Fisheries,operations%20offshore%20Newfoundland%20and%20Labrador.

Notice to Mariners will also be issued for continuous broadcast via marine VHF channel 16 by Coast Guard Radio for updates as the tow operations progress along the proposed route. The notice will be issued at least 48 hours prior to any CGS movement. In the event of any delays, a subsequent notice will be issued outlining the potential delay duration. Additional notice to mariners will be issued via Notships.

Operations are subject to weather limitations. Dates are subject to change based on the weather and operational conditions.