Rig erected for seabed sampling at Corblets
A RIG has been erected off Corblets Bay in Alderney to allow seabed sampling ahead of an underwater cable being installed between the island and France.
The Haven Seariser 7 was pulled into position by two support vessels and moveable legs were set on the ocean floor then raised the hull above the sea. It will spend three to four days at Corblets before being towed around the coast to Longis Bay.
Researchers will be drilling into the seabed to obtain four- inch diameter core samples of the seabed. Tests will be carried out on the rock extracted to establish the types of material the area is made of.
The work marks the final stage of on and offshore surveying that began in September last year. Archaeological and ecological surveying has also taken place on land at Longis.
Results from the survey work will inform the positioning of a cable which will carry electricity between the UK and France via Alderney.
Connection is due to take place in December 2020.
It is planned to coincide with the activation of an array of tidal turbines on the seabed off Alderney which it is hoped will generate enough electricity to power 1.8m. homes.
