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Displaying items by tag: Geophysical

The first in a series of hydrographic and geophysical surveys to be undertaken in the Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean under the INFOMAR programme between April and October 2019 is now under way.

The RV Celtic Voyager (callsign EIQN) set off on Friday 12 April for an 18-day survey, the first of four over the next five months 18 May-6 June, 12-28 July, 29 August-14 September).

The RV Celtic Explorer (callsign EIGB) will follow up with an 18-day survey from 21 September to 8 October. Both vessels will be towing a magnetometer sensor with a single cable of up to 200 metres in length.

Other survey vessel involved include the Geological Survey Ireland vessels RV Keary (callsign EI-GO-9), RV Geo (callsign EI-DK-6), RV Mallet (callsign EI-SN-9) and RV Lir (callsign EI-HI-2).

All will display appropriate lights and markers and will be listening on VHF Channel 16 throughout the course of the surveys.

Full details of the survey areas are included in Marine Notice No 8 of 2019, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

Published in Marine Science

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been advised that Orbis Energy Ltd on behalf of Providence Resources PLC will commence a Geophysical survey which will be undertaken approximately 220 kilometres off the South West Coast of Ireland, involving multi-beam echosounder, dual frequency sidescan sonar and sub bottom profiler assisted by the use of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operated in close proximity to the vessel. The survey will also include shallow geotechnical sampling and an Environmental Baseline Survey.

The survey is anticipated to commence on Sunday 19th February 2017 and the estimated duration is 6 days, weather permitting. The latest completion date for the survey will be the 19th March 2017.

The Fugro Searcher (call sign: 3EUY6) is scheduled to carry out the work. The vessel will be listening on VHF Channel 16 at all times.  

Survey Area

Ref

Latitude

Longitude

1

50°47’53.707”N

12°59’09.114”W

2

50°47’21.570”N

12°57’15.670”W

3

50°46’13.075”N

12°58’08.342”W

4

50°46’31.708”N

12°59’22.783”W

5

50°46’43.146”N

12°59’53.952”W

6

50°47’07.564”N

12°59’44.993”W

Greater Work Area

Ref

Latitude

Longitude

1

50°49’17.471”N

12°59’58.095”W

2

50°47’55.122”N

12°55’05.392”W

3

50°44’50.814”N

12°57’13.742”W

4

50°46’12.099”N

13°02’06.913”W

 

All vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the survey site a wide berth and to keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.

The Survey Vessel will be displaying visual indicators on the mast during daylight and lights during the night to advise other mariners of their restricted manoeuvrability.

All mariners are reminded of their responsibilities under the International Collision Regulations and are reminded of Marine Notice No. 17 of 2007, which gives general advice in relation to the activities of vessels engaged in survey work for hydrographic, seismic, fishing research and underwater operations.

The International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) are implemented in Irish law by the Merchant Shipping (Collision Regulations) (Ships and Water Craft on the Water) Order 2012 [S.I. No. 507 of 2012], and the Signals of Distress (Ships) Rules 2012 [S.I. No.170 of 2012].  See Marine Notice No. 06 of 2013.  These Statutory Instruments may be purchased by mail order from Government Publications, Office of Public Works, 52 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.  Tel: (01) 6476834/1890-213434.  They are also available online at: www.irishstatutebook.ie.

Marine Notices are issued purely for maritime safety and navigation reasons and should not be construed as conferring rights or granting permissions.

Published in Marine Warning
Tagged under

Marine Wildlife Around Ireland One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with marine wildlife.  It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. As boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat.  Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to the location of our beautiful little island, perched in the North Atlantic Ocean there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe.

From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals this page documents the most interesting accounts of marine wildlife around our shores. We're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and youtube clips.

Boaters have a unique perspective and all those who go afloat, from inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing that what they encounter can be of real value to specialist organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) who compile a list of sightings and strandings. The IWDG knowledge base has increased over the past 21 years thanks in part at least to the observations of sailors, anglers, kayakers and boaters.

Thanks to the IWDG work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. Here's the current list: Atlantic white-sided dolphin, beluga whale, blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, false killer whale, fin whale, Gervais' beaked whale, harbour porpoise, humpback whale, killer whale, minke whale, northern bottlenose whale, northern right whale, pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, Risso's dolphin, sei whale, Sowerby's beaked whale, sperm whale, striped dolphin, True's beaked whale and white-beaked dolphin.

But as impressive as the species list is the IWDG believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves keep a sharp look out!