CEFAS23-12 Contract for expert hydrographic services - LOT 1

The BEEMS (British Energy Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB GenCo (EDF Energy). Through this programme, Cefas provide authoritative scientific information on the marine and transitional waters in the vicinity of potential nuclear new build (NNB) power stations and require a competent Supplier to deliver the element described below.

Within the BEEMS programme, Cefas routinely manage, review, analyse and report on hydrographic surveys conducted by third parties to meet regulatory marine environmental monitoring requirements.

Surveys serve a range of purposes within the marine environmental monitoring programmes for Sizewell C (SZC) and Hinkley Point C (HPC) NNB power stations. This includes bathymetric multibeam echosounder (MBES) surveys to examine:

• Geomorphological change of nearshore bars and sandbanks (including validation of remote x-band radar measurements of these features).
• Seabed change in dredging areas and dredge disposal sites.
• Scour around seabed infrastructure.

Whilst Cefas may utilise the services of UKHO when practical, in addition Cefas are required to secure additional contracts with suitable organisations to provide expert hydrographic services to include specialist technical reviews and quality assurance of nearshore hydrographic survey data.

Surveys conducted by third parties appointed by Cefas are part of the marine environmental monitoring programmes for HPC and SZC NNB power stations. The work is ongoing in nature, with an expected increase in survey activity in 2024. This year (2023) there are currently 3 multibeam surveys and one side scan sonar survey planned across both sites. The surveys are in varying stages of project planning and the appointed organisations would be required to take on work at any point in the project lifecycle.