Equinor and Polenergia are conducting geophysical seismic surveys of the seabed as part of preparations for the construction of the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects. These surveys will allow to determine what lies on and beneath the seabed at the planned foundation sites for the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 wind farms.
High-resolution 3D seismic surveys are carried out by the vessel Deep Helder using advanced technologies that have so far been rarely used in offshore wind studies. The goal of the surveys is to detect boulders and study the geological structure down to the depth of the planned turbine foundations. The collected data will be used, among other things, to precisely select the locations for monopile foundations within the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farm areas.
In addition there is a specially trained marine mammal observer on board the vessel who monitors their presence in the geophysical survey area, checks their populations and the exact locations of these animals. There is also a passive acoustic monitoring operator whose task is to conduct continuous listening for marine mammal vocalizations at night and during periods of reduced visibility during the day, such as fog. All these measures are taken to minimize potential impact on the environment.
