#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 11 of 2017 advises that a geophysical research survey will be undertaken off the South and East Coasts of Ireland for 16 days from Tuesday 28 March.
The survey is a collaborative effort by researchers in iCRAG, the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences at University College Cork and the University of Bremen (Germany).
The aim of the survey is to collect geophysical acoustic data in the Irish sector of the Irish Sea and the northern Celtic Sea (including the Dungarvan/Waterford area). The data set will be primarily used to improve knowledge on the nature and formation of recent seabed sediments that were influenced by the Irish Ice Sheet during the last glaciation.
The survey data will help create a 3D geological model and revise existing sub-seabed models of the seabed sediments in the Irish Sea and the northern Celtic Sea.
The RV Celtic Voyager (Callsign EIQN) is scheduled to carry out the survey operations using relatively low amplitude sound sources to image into the seabed including an echosounder, a sparker and a micro air gun seismic system.
The vessel will on occasion be towing a hydrophone cable and other equipment up to a maximum of 250 metres behind the vessel. The vessel will be restricted in its movements when towing a cable astern.
There will be a regular safety message broadcasting on VHF Channel 16 throughout the project.
All vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the RV Celtic Voyager and towed equipment a wide berth, and keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.
A map and co-ordinates of the survey areas are included in Marine Notice No 11 of 2017, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.