Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

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

Naval Visits focuses on forthcoming courtesy visits by foreign navies from our nearest neighbours, to navies from European Union and perhaps even those navies from far-flung distant shores.

In covering these Naval Visits, the range of nationality arising from these vessels can also be broad in terms of the variety of ships docking in our ports.

The list of naval ship types is long and they perform many tasks. These naval ships can include coastal patrol vessels, mine-sweepers, mine-hunters, frigates, destroyers, amphibious dock-landing vessels, helicopter-carriers, submarine support ships and the rarer sighting of submarines.

When Naval Visits are made, it is those that are open to the public to come on board, provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate up close and personal, what these look like and what they can do and a chance to discuss with the crew.

It can make even more interesting for visitors when a flotilla arrives, particularly comprising an international fleet, adding to the sense of curiosity and adding a greater mix to the type of vessels boarded.

All of this makes Naval Visits a fascinating and intriguing insight into the role of navies from abroad, as they spend time in our ports, mostly for a weekend-long call, having completed exercises at sea.

These naval exercises can involve joint co-operation between other naval fleets off Ireland, in the approaches of the Atlantic, and way offshore of the coasts of western European countries.

In certain circumstances, Naval Visits involve vessels which are making repositioning voyages over long distances between continents, having completed a tour of duty in zones of conflict.

Joint naval fleet exercises bring an increased integration of navies within Europe and beyond. These exercises improve greater co-operation at EU level but also internationally, not just on a political front, but these exercises enable shared training skills in carrying out naval skills and also knowledge.

Naval Visits are also reciprocal, in that the Irish Naval Service, has over the decades, visited major gatherings overseas, while also carrying out specific operations on many fronts.

Ireland can, therefore, be represented through these ships that also act as floating ambassadorial platforms, supporting our national interests.

These interests are not exclusively political in terms of foreign policy, through humanitarian commitments, but are also to assist existing trade and tourism links and also develop further.

Equally important is our relationship with the Irish diaspora, and to share this sense of identity with the rest of the World.