WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

metmasts featurespecialist surveying featureSeabedsurveys inthe offshorewind industryHaving a clear understanding of the geology and generalsite conditions of offshore wind developments is criticalto the overall success of the project, as sites are ordinarilyconstructed in complex and challenging environments.This information underpins a number of significant projectplanning aspects from key engineering planning through tothe construction process itself. It follows that the acquisition,interpretation and reporting of this information should be precise,detailed and well-presented for informed decision-making.Financial advantagesInvesting in high quality survey data in the initial planning phasesnot only makes sense in terms of enabling effective projectplanning, but is also financially advantageous, leading to realcost-efficiencies as the need for re-investigation can be virtuallyeliminated prior to the development phase.Reliable data and unexploded ordnance (UXO)Reliable data benefits a multitude of stakeholders andcontractors dealing with deep geotechnical and structuralengineering, shallow cabling engineering, environmentalconsenting as well as informing life-long operation andmaintenance planning. Then of course there is also the challengeof UXO to contend with.Investment in the latest technologySpecialising in seabed mapping and geophysical survey, OsirisProjects recognise quality data outcomes can only be achievedthrough continuous investment in the very latest technology. Thisinvestment begins with the correct platform and the companyhas five specialised coastal and near-shore survey vessels, withthree additional vessels in planning.Substantial volumes of time and resources are dedicated tothe procurement and maintenance of the advanced equipmentmobilised for each project. The extensive list includes navigationand positioning equipment, echo sounders, side scan sonars,sub bottom profilers, magnetometers and geotechnical samplingequipment, alongside specialist data acquisition, imageprocessing and CAD software.ITIT is a central operation, and Osiris Projects have invested insophisticated workstations, fast Gigabit networking and over 150Terabytes of secure data storage capacity, allowing the companyto provide on-going data management for clients.Collaborative approachAs a multi-disciplinary firm, consistency and compatibility ofdata is a key concern for Osiris Projects. The complexity of UKgeology and environmental conditions regularly requires theuse of a variety of acoustic methods, which can often lead to106www.windenergynetwork.co.uk