Seismic/sonar survey work: EIR Review

Information requested

I would be grateful if you could confirm whether Marine Scotland are aware of any seismic/sonar survey work being carried out off the east coast of Lewis on Sunday evening and Monday morning?

Constituents have made reference to the Glomar Supporter vessel which was reportedly active around Broad Bay in recent days, and so any information about this vessel in particular would be very helpful in reassuring my constituents

Response

Further to my letter of 27 September 2023, I have now completed my review of our failure to respond to your request under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs) for:

“I would be grateful if you could confirm whether Marine Scotland are aware of any seismic/sonar survey work being carried out off the east coast of Lewis on Sunday evening and Monday morning? Constituents have made reference to the Glomar Supporter vessel which was reportedly active around Broad Bay in recent days, and so any information about this vessel in particular would be very helpful in reassuring my constituents.”

In accordance with regulation 16(3)(b) of the EIRs, I have also reached a decision on your request. I apologise for the delay in response. Your emails were initially overlooked due to an administrative error, and we are working on our internal processes to ensure this does not happen in future. I can now provide a response to your initial request.

I can confirm that the Scottish Government is aware of the activity of the vessel on the days you refer to. The Glomar Supporter Vessel arrived in Broad Bay at 20:02 hrs on 15 July 2023 for shelter. It then remained sheltering in Broad Bay on 16 July 2023. On 17 July 2023, the vessel departed from Broad Bay at 14:04 hrs to travel to the site of the Spiorad na Mara wind farm to conduct survey work. The vessel arrived 4nm northeast of the site at 18:30 hrs. However, no survey operations were conducted. It then departed the site at 20:06 hrs for transit to Aberdeen.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Information for release

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