A Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft will be working off Ogden Point this week so crews can remove a power cable on the seafloor that hasn’t been used in 25 years.
If all goes smoothly, the job is expected to be completed by Thursday.
The one-kilometre-long cable was previously used to power an aid to navigation that now uses solar panels, coast guard spokeswoman Michelle Imbeau said Monday.
Imbeau said divers will use the hovercraft as a work platform while relocating sea life such as urchins and sea stars that could be affected by the cable removal from the area around the Brotchie Ledge reef, before working to remove the cable.
In areas where the cable is fully submerged, it will likely be left in place, she said.
Observers from shore may also see float bags or small orange-coloured buoys on the water. They will be there to mark out sections of the cable as they are found, and to ensure crew members can return to the exact site if necessary.
Vessels are being asked to stay clear of the area while the work is underway.
The 28.5-metre-long CCGS Siyay hovercraft will display national and international “diver down” flags, which require vessels to remain at least 100 metres from the hovercraft. The vessel is normally based in Richmond.
