Marine Mammal priority consideration at Blackhead Path works

As works at Blackhead Path continue the contractor has been using a ‘soft start’ approach to ensure marine animals can move away from the coastline with ease, during the rock armour revetment works.

Throughout the course of the project the contractor, FP McCann, have assigned Marine Mammal Observers (MMO) to be in attendance at the start of each working day.

The role of the MMO is to detect mammals in the vicinity of the coastline and advise a delay in the commencement of activity should any marine mammals be observed.

Once the MMO is in position the ‘soft start’ approach with machinery is followed meaning they are not fully revved up for the first 30 minutes to allow marine animals to disperse.

If the MMO does not observe any marine mammals after 30 minutes, the machinery can be fully revved and work commenced.

If the MMO does however observe a Marine animal, the observation period is increased for a further 20 minutes.

The construction works, which commenced earlier this year, will continue through the winter months with the completion date noted for Spring 2020.