To improve operational resilience, service reliability and passenger experience, Red Funnel is wishing to upgrade and redesign its terminal and marshalling yard operations at East Cowes.
The proposed project consists of marine and terrestrial elements.
The new marine infrastructure comprises:
• Upgrades to Trinity Landing including a pedestrian ramp and pontoon to accommodate Red Jet services and other potential uses;
• The construction of a new vehicle ferry linkspan/berth in the location of the existing layby berth (the northern linkspan);
• The replacement of the existing primary vehicle ferry linkspan/berth (the southern linkspan) with a new passenger walkway; and
• Removal of the access to the existing slipway.
To ensure safety of navigation and shipping operations were appropriately considered, Red Funnel’s planning and marine consenting team (Savills and Ramboll respectively) asked NASH Maritime to support the EIA screening exercise and prepare a navigation risk assessment.
What we did
To begin we reviewed existing documents and AIS vessel tracks to develop an up-to-date navigational understanding of the study area (baseline).
We then liaised with the developer to define the construction phasing, associated vessels and timings to develop a marine operational concept for construction and operation. This led to consideration of four scenarios as the project progressed.
Next, we undertook stakeholder consultation to confirm our understanding and validate our proposed hazard list and assessment.
Having finalised the list of navigation hazards, we then undertook the risk assessment.
To assess and quantify the navigation risk posed, we considered both the activities associated with the marine infrastructure elements and the subsequent operation of the completed and revised East Cowes terminal with the new Red Funnel vessels which are anticipated to be in operation soon.