Information for divers

While we recognise the Sussex coast is a popular area for diving with a number of sites of interest, it is strongly recommended that diving is avoided on the export cable route and within 100 metres (m) of turbines and the substation.

Wind Farm Operation

All the turbines are now connected to the grid and operational, but they may not be turning from time to time due to on going service and maintenance.

The cables are connected to the turbines through two holes, situated at the bottom of each foundation close the seabed. In order to make this connection, the cables need to be raised as they approach the foundation location, such that they become shallow buried or exposed when close to the turbines.  A more robust cable protection solution, known as ‘rock bagging’, was carried out in these locations to ensure the cable cannot become exposed.

Divers are advised to remain at least 100m from turbines and the substation. It remains your responsibility to be aware of all admiralty charts and associated navigation advice in relation to wind farm installations and buried subsea cables.

High-speed construction traffic

Divers’ attention is drawn to work boats and high-speed crew transfer vessels (CTV), transiting between the wind farm site and Newhaven Port, Brighton Marina and Shoreham Port. The chart below shows the area in which high-speed CTVs are operating.

Subsea Hazard Chart (link)

For your own safety, if you are an independent diver planning a local dive trip within the Area of CTV Operations using your own vessel, you are requested to familiarise yourself with the risks and follow the communications protocol set out in our Guidance for third party vessels on Rampion CTV operations.

In particular, vessels are requested to communicate in advance their passage plans and activities to the Rampion control room on  07816 061968 or email: rampion.controlroom@rwe.com

You should also contact the Rampion Control Room upon departure from port or prior to the dive itself, ensuring you communicate the following:

• Name of wreck or location of the site you are planning to dive;
• Expected time of arrival and departure;
• Vessel name and Call Sign;
• Number of divers expected in the water.

If the Rampion Control Room cannot be contacted by phone, VHF Ch.16 can be used.

Further information can be found in our Diving safety_ROW_2020 leaflet (pdf). 

If you are seeking to charter a vessel in the local area for your dive trip, please see our list of local charter boat operators.

Please note this is neither a positive nor negative endorsement of any particular dive charter by Rampion.