Welding at the RMI Engineering workshop in Wattisham, Suffolk. Photo courtesy of RMI EngineeringLowestoft-based
Jet Adventures and
RMI Engineering have both worked with the
Hornsea 3 team on artificial nesting sites for kittiwake off the Suffolk coast at Lowestoft and Minsmere. The specially designed structures – two of which are easily visible from Lowestoft South Pier – are intended as alternative nesting areas for endangered sea birds.
Tour operator Jet Adventures is run by husband and wife team John and Fliss Kitching. They offer regular boat trips around the harbour, along the coast and for seal watching but now also work for Hornsea 3, taking ornithologists out to the artificial nesting sites so they can monitor nesting activity and observing any chicks that are born. Jet Adventures works with 12 self-employed and casual staff to help run the trips.
Mr Kitching said: “We always wanted to set up a business that would bring work locally. Our town was struggling with the loss of boat building and fishing.
Ørsted has helped us financially but they have also provided the training that is required for the offshore wind industry. Ørsted paid for two of our crew to be trained and that is really good for them as it leads on to more employment opportunities in the future. Ørsted also funded safety equipment for our boat to meet the company’s requirements which allows us to carry out more commercial work.”
RMI Engineering manufactured and fitted a custom-made roof for the nesting sites which incorporated a navigation system with unique safety features The company also fitted additional solar-powered navigation aids and CCTV to monitor the birds remotely. RMI has an ongoing contract to check and certify the equipment — the company employs 21 people full time and has a pool of 8-10 trusted local sub-contractors at its disposal.
Chris Hutchinson, technical manager at RMI said: “We have a longstanding relationship with Ørsted. Gunfleet Sands was the very first offshore wind farm we worked on so they gave us a foot on the ladder. We have since gained experience on other sites and taken that back to them. It is a reciprocal arrangement between us as both sides benefit. Living in Lowestoft, we attend local events and are proud to say we are involved with the nesting sites and regularly talk to people about them as they are a good thing for the town.”
Jessica Westcott, Hornsea 3 project director at Ørsted, said: “Building strong relationships with our contract partners is very important to us and local businesses play an important part in our success. We are not just supporting them, they are bringing us valuable knowledge and expertise and we are proud of the work we do together.”