CEFAS26-78 RfQ for the provision of a marine environmental survey vessel.

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Cefas and Natural England (NE) have been working collaboratively to deliver a monitoring survey within the Kentish Knock East (KKNE) Marine Protected Areas (MPA) as part of the ongoing MPA monitoring programme funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Through this programme, Cefas co-ordinates some of the evidence collection for the monitoring of MPAs in English waters.

The survey aims to support NE’s monitoring objectives and provide robust evidence to inform conservation measures (Type 1 monitoring) as well as at assessing the recovery of benthic habitats after the implementation of proposed management measures within the MPA (Type 3 monitoring).

The first part of the survey at KKNE was undertaken in November 2025 and focuses on grab sampling. However, the data collection could not be completed due to equipment failure. Cefas and NE are therefore seeking to deliver the remaining objectives of the survey:

1. Monitor the extent and distribution of sediment Broadscale Habitats (BSH) through the acquisition of imagery data, using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) as the primary system, with a Drop-Down Video (DDV) camera as a back-up.
2. Monitor the carbon content of sediment BSH features through the collection of sediment imagery, using a Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) camera.

Objective 1 above will be conducted in collaboration with a team from the University of Southampton (UoS).

Survey design:

The KKNE survey design adopts a Before-After Control-Impact approach and a box design, to collect data from within the MPA and in control areas outside the site boundary. The boxes are labelled Case Study Areas (CSAs): two located within the MCZ (‘impact’) and two corresponding CSAs outside the MCZ (‘control’).

Each CSA has an approximate area of 8-9 km2 and were positioned to avoid existing infrastructure in the MPA such as a power cable running through the south of the site (Figure 1). A 1nm buffer was applied to all infrastructure to delineate the survey boxes following the recommendation of the Crown Estate Seabed survey licence (arranged by Natural England). Each control CSA has been selected for comparable fishing pressure, and environmental conditions (e.g. depth and sediment type).

Vessel Specification Requirement:

Cefas requires provision of a marine environmental survey vessel for a single mobilisation of up to 6 survey days, planned at neap tide in September or October 2026 (exact dates will be agreed post-award).

Cefas requires the use of an MCA (MISW) “small workboat” class Category 2 coded survey vessel to support deployment and recovery of environmental survey equipment with a maximum single lift of up to 400 kg. The vessel will act as a deployment and recovery platform for equipment operated by:

• University of Southampton (UoS) – mini Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).
• Cefas – Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) and Drop-Down Video (DDV) camera; and

Cefas/UoS/NE will be responsible for survey planning, deployed equipment, equipment operation and data acquisition.

The Supplier will allow for and assist in the vessel being mobilised by a team of up to 5 Cefas personnel to undertake:

• Mini AUV (~100 kg) deployment and recovery operations

The Supplier will provide safe vessel positioning and competent deck operations to support repeated AUV launch and recovery cycles throughout the survey period.

• SPI camera (up to 400kg) deployment and recovery

At each station selected by Cefas/UoS/NE (to be confirmed at start-up meeting), the SPI will be deployed (maximum of 10 stations per CSA). At each station the camera will be deployed, and five replicates (“hops”) will be collected, between each hop the camera will be raised and the vessel moved 5 m. Two images are collected at each replicate, giving a total of 10 images per station. The location of the sampling station will be provided at the start up meeting. Cefas will provide an engineer that can support/advise on deployment and recovery.

• Contingency: DDV camera deployment and recovery

In case the AUV proves unsuitable for the environmental conditions at the site, a DDV camera frame will be used to collect video and still images at all proposed stations (location to be confirmed at the start up meeting). DDV camera sampling will comprise of an extended video transect of 100-150 m, providing sufficient data coverage to detect change in BSHs across each CSA. Cefas will provide an engineer that can support/advise on deployment and recovery.

Survey planning:

Cefas/UoS/NE will undertake the planning (including access), notifications (including Notice to Mariners) - with the Supplier being expected to ensure safe execution of the vessel operations. Should licences or consents be required (e.g. a Marine Licence) these will be obtained by Cefas and provided to the Supplier prior to the survey.

Cefas/UoS/NE will be providing survey staff (up to 5 persons) for operation of the above-described environmental survey equipment. Personnel will comprise up to 2 survey staff from Cefas, up to 2 survey staff from UoS and up to one survey staff from NE.

Summary of provision:

The Supplier will provide:

• An MCA MISW “small workboat” class Category 2 coded workboat, meeting the Vessel Specifications set out in this document.
• A-frame or crane with a minimum Safe Working Load (SWL) of 400 kg, compliant with LOLER and PUWER.
• Adequate deck space for safe AUV/cameras handling operations
• Crew support for launch and recovery operations, including, at minimum, a suitably qualified vessel Master, a suitably trained and experienced Mate, and competent deck crew / ABs sufficient to ensure safe lifting operations.
• Welfare facilities for up to 5 embarked Cefas/UoS/NE personnel for the duration of the charter.
• Valid insurance, including evidence that the vessel's Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance covers the additional Cefas/UoS/NE personnel on board for the duration of the charter. A copy of the insurance certificate is to be provided with the bid.
• A demonstrable track record of marine environmental survey equipment deployment and data acquisition (to be summarised in the bid).

The requirements of the Vessel include:

• Use of the vessel for up to 6 days during the contract period including mobilisation and demobilisation. Final survey dates will be confirmed with the Supplier as early as possible following contract award and no later than two weeks before mobilisation to allow for adequate planning and scheduling.
• Full compliance with the Vessel Specifications listed in subsequent sections of this document.

Cefas will:

• Supply up to 5 survey personnel
• Be responsible for all environmental survey equipment provision, operation, acquisition and data quality.