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After Japan?s 50 nuclear reactors closed fol- lowing the Fukushima disaster, wind is now seen as an important alternative en- ergy source. But in a crowded and mountainous country the search for sites must go offshore, with oating turbines the main option in the deep waters off the rugged coastline. It is at the southernmost tip of Japan that the Ministry of the Environment is trialing a turbine to determine the viability of oating wind turbines, in a bid to help replace the 30% of energy lost since the nuclear shut-down. Sure-footed anchorage to the seabed is vital and a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV is being used to check the integrity of the 400m of chain to moor- ing points 100m down. With many turbines to be installed at a depth of 100m or more, setting the anchor securely is vital for the safe location of these turbines offshore. Avoiding twists and entan- glements of the 400 meter lengths of chain over a long period of time is also of vital importance, said the research experiment group of the project. The Falcon, operated by Shibuya Diving, helped monitor the anchor holding test, and the analysis of anchor drag, as well as twist and entangle-ment. Shibuya Diving chose the Falcon because it could be deployed from a small workboat at a low operating cost and has a proven reputation amongst many different operators across the world for undertaking a wide variety of tasks. It is small and easily manhandled, yet has the power to cope with strong currents around the anchorage while loaded with the hefty high-de nition camera needed for the task. Although compact, the Falcon is known for performing precise work while carrying a heavy payload of cameras, sensors, sonar systems and manipula-tors. With more offshore turbine installations planned, Shibuya Diving intend developing a special work vessel from which to operate the Falcon. Falcon Helps Harness Offshore Wind Marine Technology Reporter 9www.marinetechnologynews.com MTR #8 (1-17).indd 9MTR #8 (1-17).indd 910/13/2014 11:16:47 AM10/13/2014 11:16:47 AM
