The Maritime Navigation Safety & Emergency Response Guidance Documents for Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI)

The Maritime Navigation Safety Guidance & Emergency Response document for Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) has been developed in response to the proposed development of OREI in Irish waters. The considerations and criteria are intended to address the navigational and emergency response impacts of OREIs proposed for Irish waters.

This guidance has taken account of national requirements and international standards, particularly the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Marine Guidance Notice MGN 654 (M+F), related to the establishment of OREI.

The guidance was developed in parallel with the Irish Coast Guard’s Guidance for Search & Rescue and Emergency Response for OREI (Standard Operating Procedure 07-2025). The Standard Operating Procedure covers the Irish Coast Guard’s remit to provide maritime search and rescue (SAR), maritime casualty, and pollution response service.

This guidance shall be used to evaluate all navigational risks and emergency response, during the construction, operation, and de-commissioning stages of an OREI development. The guidance shall also be used to assess potential changes to traffic patterns and should be taken into account by OREI developers seeking development consent for offshore wind farm developments to ensure a high standard of maritime safety in Irish waters is maintained.

Additionally, the Navigation Safety Guidance includes a Navigational Risk Assessment (NRA) Methodology. The purpose of the NRA Methodology is to provide guidance for developers in preparing their navigational risk and emergency response assessments. Submissions shall demonstrate that suitable and appropriate risk controls are, or will be, in place. Furthermore, a checklist has been produced to be used as a tool by the Marine Survey Office (MSO) to verify compliance with the provided guidance.

The guidance will be subject to review by the Department in the future, should key amendments be identified and required.