Together with colleagues from our project partner HEREON, we have carried out various tasks over the last two days (18/19 of March 2026) in the restricted area within the Meerwind Süd/Ost wind farm. The weather conditions close to Helgoland were excellent: no wind, no waves, and sunshine. These day trips were aboard the research vessel Ludwig Prandtl (HEREON).
On the first day the wave-rider-buoy was redeployed after its maintenance during the last months, the ADCP – which had been installed last August – was retrieved, the onboard side scan sonar was tested along the southern marker buoys, and a CTD for the detection of potential stratification within the water column was deployed.
After the replacement of the GPS trackers on the marker buoys by project partner MEERWIND 1.5 weeks earlier, the GPS trackers on the marker buoys of the Smartfarm were replaced on the second day (19th March). This means that the position of all major structures can now be monitored remotely. In addition, an initial inspection of the sugar kelp, which was deployed in February, was carried out on that day, confirming a good growth performance. In addition, thanks to the favourable conditions, it was possible to carry out necessary repairs on the radar reflector on one of the area marker buoys.
