DAkkS and WSV to continue cooperation
In July 2021, Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) and WSV, the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, signed a new administrative agreement to continue their cooperation. Under the agreement, experts from WSV will work as assessors to provide support and assistance with the accreditation of classification societies and other certification bodies in the area of identification of offshore installations, ensuring qualified implementation and the required impartiality of technical assessments.
This identification includes daytime and nighttime marking with the surface colour yellow and illuminated lettering. The installations are also expected to send radio signals that ships can receive in good time when they approach. The fourth component is photometric identification in accordance with aeronautical specifications, which must not interfere with the identifiers for maritime traffic.
The review of whether these identifiers on offshore installations are implemented in accordance with all specifications is the responsibility of classification societies and other certification bodies, which are accredited on the basis of ISO/IEC 17065. Accreditations of these certification bodies are managed by the Renewable Energy department at DAkkS, and the technical assessments require extensive metrological and nautical knowledge as well as experience with the requirements for the identification of wind farms being developed at sea. To ensure the necessary levels of expertise and impartiality of these technical assessments, they are carried out by WSV staff.
WSV framework for the identification of offshore installations
The safety of maritime traffic is governed by the document “Guidance on offshore installations to ensure the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic” (currently version 3.1 of 1 July 2021). The requirements for identification are contained in the “WSV framework for the identification of offshore installations” published by the Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping (currently version 3.0 of 1 July 2019). Since version 2.1 came into force on 1 March 2016, this framework requires certification bodies to be accredited on the basis of ISO/IEC 17065.
