1.0 Introduction

Harbour Air Ireland intends to launch a commercial scheduled and charter seaplane service in Ireland. The service will operate between a number of coastal and inland locations throughout the Island of Ireland.

The facilities required at each site will include a landing/take off area and a berthing pontoon for passenger embarkation and disembarkation.

The proposed site for the landing pontoon and facilities on Lough Derg is at the existing holiday village in Mountshannon.

The site, which will be the base for Harbour Air operations will comprise of a berthing pontoon with access gangway, slipway and hardstanding for inspecting aircraft and a work store container. The operations office and passenger check in/waiting area will be accommodated in the existing Mountshannon Holiday Village office building.

The Air Operating Certificate (AOC) will be issued by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
Discussions with the IAA are ongoing and they are very supportive of the proposed operation.
The type of aircraft proposed will be the De Havilland Otter/Twin Otter and the Cessna Caravan (208 and 206).

2.0 Previous Studies

Very few environmental impact assessments of seaplane operations have been carried out anywhere in the world. Some studies relating to seaplanes and the environment have been carried out by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as well as a number of independent studies by private seaplane operators.
In a 5 year study, the USACE, who are responsible for waterways in the USA, concluded that seaplanes do not have a negative impact on air quality, water quality, soil quality, wildlife, fisheries, or hydrology.(1)

3.0 Existing Seaplane Usage

Seaplanes are used extensively throughout the world for chartered and scheduled sea plane services. The USA, Canada and Australia are the main seaplane operators, with a number of operators based in Europe and the United Kingdom also.

• Since 2007, Loch Lomond Seaplanes have operated a scheduled and chartered sea plane service from Glasgow City Centre to Loch Lomond (a fresh water loch and natural designation area), Tobermory, and Oban Bay.
• Harbour Air Malta have been operating a scheduled sea plane service between Valetta and Mgarr on the island of Malta since 2007. They also offer a charter service.
• The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service owns a large fleet of seaplanes used for the safe and efficient surveillance and tracking of wildlife. (1)
• The U.S. National Parks System is a frequent user of seaplanes as part of the management of their parks. Many national parks in the United States are only accessible by seaplanes and boats. (1)
• The U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration own a fleet of seaplanes used extensively for biological work such as sea turtle and mammal surveys.
•  The Washington State Department of Ecology is a frequent user of seaplanes for water quality sampling.

4.0 Environmental Impacts

This section of the report examines the impact sea planes have on the natural environment. It refers to the impacts seaplanes have in comparison to existing boating operations on lakes and harbours.

4.1 Air Quality

Jet A1 aviation fuel will be used by the proposed sea planes. This type of fuel does not contain Methyl tert-butyl ether (MBTE), a volatile flammable compound as contained in many marine engine fuels.

The consumption of fuel in a single seaplane trip is greater then that of a single boat trip, therefore carbon emissions from a seaplane are greater than that of a boat.
However, the number of boat movements in a particular area vastly outweighs seaplane movements in an area; therefore carbon emissions from a seaplane are negligible in comparison to the existing background emissions.

4.2 Water Quality

Many boat engines discharge exhaust directly into the water. This can result in the pollution of the water with Methyl tert-butyl ether (MBTE) – a volatile flammable compound. The exhaust of a seaplane discharges directly into the air, therefore not polluting the water. The combustion of jet fuel does not result in the release of MBTE.
Seaplanes do not discharge bilge water (which contains oils and hydrocarbons) into the water as many leisure and commercial vessels do. Drainage systems from car parks may also discharge unwanted oils into the water body if hydrocarbon interceptors are
not fitted.

Seaplanes do not discharge foul water into the water as many leisure and commercial craft do. Many individual dwellings and town waste water treatment discharge foul water directly into water courses.

Seaplanes do not discharge the contents of chemical toilets overboard as many commercial and leisure boats do.

Refuelling of seaplanes will take place occasionally at the site. Refuelling will take place under strict operation procedures and appropriate safety kits and spill kits will be located on the pontoon at the refuelling point, as outlined in the planning and design report. This
will ensure the minimum impact on water quality during refuelling operations. The pontoon will be fitted with an integrated spill tray which will prevent any fuel entering the watercourse.

Sea planes can inform local authorities of fuel slicks over water bodies, as identified by Loch Lomond Sea Planes (operating in Scotland) over the last number of years for example.

4.3 Wildlife, Fisheries and Birds

Seaplanes float on the water when berthed, taking off, landing and taxiing. The draught of the floats is less than 300mm when loaded. The propellers of the plane are positioned out of the water (unlike boats where the propeller is underwater); therefore sub aquatic life is unaffected. As the sediments on the lake bed are not agitated by the movement of propellers, aquatic invertebrates will not be disturbed.

As outlined in sections 4.1 and 4.2 above, the impact of seaplanes on the water and air quality is negligible in comparison to boats. Therefore wildlife and fisheries are unaffected.

Some disturbance to birds may occur during the take off and landing of sea planes due to noise. However as outlined in section 4.6 below, the noise generated by the sea plane during take off is in the same order of that generated by a jet ski or medium powered motor boat. The time over which this noise is generated is short term in comparison to other motor boat activities, so it is anticipated that the seaplane operation will not have a negative effect on birds when compared to existing background noises.
In addition, the take off and landing area will be sufficiently distant from reed beds, bird roosting and feeding areas to impact on these areas.

4.4 Hydrology / Hydrodynamics

The propeller of a seaplane is entirely above the water and therefore does not generate local currents in the same way as a boat propeller, which is underwater.
Waves generated from the movement of a seaplane on the water (i.e. the wake) are generally less than 75mm in height, considerably less than the wave generated from displacement motor vessels. The wake therefore does not have an impact on navigation safety, wave loading on structures, or coastal erosion.

4.6 Noise Pollution

Seaplanes have a relatively low impact on noise pollution. The majority of noise is generated during take off when high engine power is required to make the seaplane airborne.
Table 1 outlines typical noise levels for various operations at typical distances from the sound source.

Table 1 above highlights that the taking off of seaplanes does not have a significant affect on noise pollution when compared to typical existing noise sources at the lake. It must be noted that the value for the seaplane in Table 1 is representative of the plane taking off. During take off the power required to make the plane airborne is higher than cruising, taxiing or landing powers, therefore the noises generated are higher. This sound is generated for a short period of time only (approximately 20 seconds).
As seaplane movements are limited to daylight hours, noise pollution at night will be non existent.

5.0 Safety

Harbour Air Ireland Ltd. will not operate in Ireland until they have received an Air Operating Certificate (AOC) by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). This is currently pending. This AOC will
not be issued until the IAA has satisfied itself with all aspects of the company’s operation in relation to safety.

The operation of seaplanes on the water are governed by Rule 18 of the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea – “A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the rules of this part.” This means that the seaplane will not land or take off in areas that would conflict with vessel navigation at the time of landing or takeoff. If there are vessels navigating in the landing / takeoff area at the time of landing or takeoff, the pilot will find a different area in the water body for these operations.

Seaplanes statistically have a very good safety record with very few injuries or fatalities being recorded in relation to landing or takeoff. Also very few incidents relating to collisions with boats have been recorded.

6.0 Conclusions

Very few studies have been carried out into the effect of seaplanes on the environment.
However existing studies indicate that they do not have a negative effect on the environment in comparison to existing background activities.
Seaplanes are used widely throughout Australia, the United States of America and Canada, with a number of services also in use in Europe and the United Kingdom. Seaplanes services are predominantly used for travel and tourism, however in the USA and Canada local authorities and Federal agencies utilise seaplanes for the monitoring of wildlife and management of national parks.

Seaplanes do not have a negative effect on air quality, water quality, wildlife fisheries and birds, hydrology, hydrodynamics or noise pollution when prepared to existing background activities on lakes and harbours.

Seaplanes have a very good safety record and any seaplane operations will adhere to the strictest legislation and rules applicable.

7.0 References

1: http://www.seaplanes.org.au/PDF/Seaplanes-The_Facts.pdf