Maritime Archaeological Field Assessment NorNed Cable HVDC Project, Eemshaven, The Netherlands

<p>In April 2006 several dive inspections were executed along the intended route of the Norned HV DC Electrical Cable between The Netherlands and Norway. These visual underwater inspections are the second phase of the archaeological assessment of the route, or MIVO2 (Maritiem Inventariserend Veld Onderzoek or Maritime Archaeological Field Assessment). The purpose of these inspections was to establish the possible archaeological value of observed phenomena on the seabed, which were determined from several hydrographic and geophysical data sets.</p><p>A total of 5 locations were eventually chosen in collaboration with RACM (former ROB: Rijksdienst voor Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek or the Dutch Archaeological Survey) based on the assessment of hydrographic and geophysical datasets.</p><p>The visual underwater inspections were carried out by Subcom BV from Zierikzee under supervision of Periplus Archeomare BV. </p><p>On one of the locations the remnants of a large historic shipwreck was discovered, dated at around 1667. After the discovery of this shipwreck, ARC from Groningen carried out the archaeological assessment of the recovered parts of the wreck.</p><p>Although located at about 15 meters from the intended cable route, the extent of the wreck location did not interfere with the general cable laying operations. Therefore no deviation form this route was deemed necessary and laying operations could be carried out as planned.</p><p>Phenomena on other locations did not reveal any further archaeological values.</p>