The unmanned buoy was first deployed at the site by the Menter Môn-led, Marine Characterization and Research Project (MCRP) in 2023. Now, following rigorous testing and refurbishment Marinus is fully operational again, and will use the latest technologies to continue its data collection role.
As part of this, state of the art system integrated monitoring and analysis equipment has been successfully installed on the buoy which includes, sonar imaging, acoustic monitoring and video imaging. All have been specifically calibrated to local conditions and will track wildlife behaviors and patterns in the zone where Morlais tidal energy devices are set to be deployed.
Helen Roberts, MCRP Project Manager, said, “This is another important milestone for us and the tidal energy sector. The operational trial of the technology over the next 12 months is a significant step forward in our delivery of an effective and transferable monitoring and mitigation system to safeguard marine mammals and diving seabirds in developments like Morlais.”
The Marinus buoy has also been fitted with equipment to collect environmental data at the site which will be included in future versions of the Morlais Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan (EMMP). The current mission will also help refine Artificial Intelligence (AI) monitoring devices which are being developed to ensure monitoring systems stay updated and meet the changing needs of the Morlais project itself as well as the wider tidal energy industry.
Environmental monitoring will continue throughout the lifetime of the Morlais project. The next phase of development is scheduled for 2025, when the SIMA system will be modified for use on a seabed-mounted turbine in the Morlais zone. The buoy will remain at sea for 12 months, the information gathered will be shared with Morlais turbine developers and the broader tidal energy industry to support and drive sector growth.
