Siemens-owned tidal power system specialist Marine Current Turbines (MCT) is conducting an inspection and maintenance work on the SeaGen tidal turbine system.
The crossbeam has been raised today and will remain in an upright position for around 28 days.
For safety, it is requested that all craft keep a safe distance of at least 50m from the SeaGen pile whilst the crossbeam is raised. Vessel operators are respectfully requested to set an appropriate course at the earliest opportunity.
When the crossbeam is left up for any overnight period it will be flood lit with spotlights showing the extremity of the obstruction which protrudes 20m either side of the main pile.
The first 1.2MW SeaGen generator was installed in Strangford Narrows between Strangford and Portaferry in Northern Ireland in April 2008 and was connected to the grid later that year in July.
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Offshore WIND staff, February 3, 2014; Image: marineturbines