CEFAS26-73 Solent Bass Survey Vessel Charter

The Solent Bass Survey is a long-running monitoring program carried out by Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) to collect abundance and growth information of juvenile European sea bass populations in the Solent. The survey is important because the data feeds into the sea bass stock assessment, and provides key ecological understanding that help support sustainable fisheries management and future bass conservation.

Vessel Specification Requirement:

The Solent Bass Survey requires a vessel that meets the following requirements:

• Vessel is located within the Portsmouth area
• Correct licenses, insurance (H&M and P&I) and safety provisions to enable 5 individuals to work onboard (2 crew, 3 scientists)
• Crew must have experience of working with and deploying a bass trawl similar to that used to complete this survey detailed in the net specifications below
• Vessel must be able to deploy the bass trawl net
• Vessel must be able to provide a sheltered rear deck
• Crew must have experience fishing within the identified survey area (See Appendix I)
• Vessel must be able to operate in shallow water to enable access to all sampling stations (The depth profiles of the sites range between 10-30 feet of water).

Trawl net specifications;

The sampling gear consists of a survey trawl based on a local pattern of high headline bass trawl with a rubber bobbin footrope. Mesh size is 70 mm diagonally stretched mesh and the codend is fitted with a 4 mm mesh, knotless ‘Frymer’ liner. Panels of heavier duty mesh (‘chafers’) offer some protection to the codend and are fitted as standard. The trawl has a 9 m headline and 12 m footrope. (See Appendix II)

Special provisions relating to the safety of taking scientists to sea

The tender evaluation procedure will seek to ensure that the vessel and crew can safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of project staff. Project staff from Cefas will be under instructions to ensure that all standard safety at sea items and procedures are adequate before each sailing. Contract award will be subject to physical inspection/survey of the proposed vessel and successful sign-off of the Vessel Safety Assessment & Inspections Document VSAID document which will be facilitated by Cefas staff.

It is a requirement of the MCA for the skipper to give an explanation to project staff of the vessel risk assessment and health and safety regime, including the stowage and use of life saving appliances, the procedures in an emergency, and escape routes before embarking on each voyage. Safety briefings shall be carried out prior to departure (e.g. procedures in event of fire, medical emergency, abandon ship etc.).

Vessel Assurance

As part of the vessel safety assessment, on award of contract the successful supplier is required to liaise with Cefas Scientist in Charge (SIC) to complete the VSAID This assessment will seek to assure Cefas that the vessel is fit for purpose, suitably crewed, registered, insured and licensed to operate within the scope of the tender. Evidence will be sought to confirm these details. Where the vessel will be carrying out lifting or fishing/trawling procedures as part of the contracted work the VSAID will require them to demonstrate the safe operation, effective maintenance and compliance of the equipment in line with any relevant maritime legislation.

Cefas reserve the right not to progress with the contract if the proposed vessel(s) fails to meet the requirements of the Cefas vessel assurance standards. Where other external inspection certificates such as the IMCA Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) and Marine Inspection for Small Workboats (MISW) or similar are held and current, this may support efficient assurance processes.

Accident / Incident Reporting

Cefas request that an initial report of any accidents or near miss incidents (to any person on board) that occur during contract delivery, are to be reported by telephone or email within 24 hours to the Cefas Scientist in charge (SIC).

In addition to the initial report above, Cefas require a full report on all accidents or near miss incidents is delivered at the end of the contract, when all services are complete.

Deliverables:

1. Completion of a yearly 5-day charter within the specified areas of the Solent, see Appendix I

a. 2026 Solent Bass Survey - 5 days between of sampling 01/09/26 - 31/09/26 *(Extended date range to account for delays due to bad weather, illness, etc.).

b. 2027 Solent Bass Survey - 5 days between of sampling 01/09/27 - 31/09/27 (dependant on extension being taken out)

c. 2028 Solent Bass Survey - 5 days between of sampling 01/09/28 - 31/09/28 (dependant on extension being taken out)

2. Fuel / Carbon Equivalent Emissions Report – The Supplier is responsible for providing Cefas with a report which includes; the vessel engine capacity, distance travelled and fuel used. This is to be used by the Cefas environmental Team to calculate our environmental footprint.

a. To be delivered when all services are complete.

3. Accident / Incident Report

a. To be delivered when all services are complete.

Location for services to be undertaken: Chichester Harbour, Langstone Harbour, Southampton Water and the Solent.