Marine Notice: 3D Seismic Surveys In Porcupine Basin This Summer

11th June 2016

The RV Oceanic Endeavour will carry out two separate 3D seismic surveys in the Porcupine Basin from the third week of June Credit: E Vroom/Shipspotting

#MarineNotice - CGG Services SA is scheduled to carry out an extensive multi-client 3D seismic survey in the Porcupine Basin off the southwest coast of Ireland.

The seismic survey, named Ireland 2016 MC3D MSS, is further sub-divided into two areas called Area A (in the western area) and Area B (in the southern area).

CGG will start the seismic survey in Area A. The duration of survey in this area will be 25 days. Following the completion of survey in Area A, CGG will start acquiring Area B. This is expected to start late July 2016.

Survey Area A will cover 1,012 sq km and is anticipated to commence in the third week of June 2016. The expected duration is approximately 30 days, subject to weather conditions. Survey Area B will cover 4,078 sq km and is anticipated to commence in the third week of July 2016. The expected duration is approximately 65 days, again subject to weather.

The survey vessel RV Oceanic Endeavour (Callsign 3EJQ7) is scheduled to carry out the work. The vessel will tow 14 separate 8,100m-long solid streamers, with a separation of 100m and at depth of 12m below the surface of the water.

Active radar transponders and flashing navigation lights will be on the outer streamer tail buoys. The seismic vessel and equipment will traverse along pre-determined lines NW-SE across the operations area at a speed of approximately 4.5 knots.

The seismic vessel will be accompanied by support vessel MV Bourbon Grebe (Callsign 5BAT4) and guard vessel MV Stormhav (Callsign V4VD2).

Fishery liaison officers (FLOs) will be on board the RV Oceanic Endeavour to ensure communications with fishermen are clear and timely. All vessels engaged on this survey will be listening on VHF Channel 16 at all times throughout the project.

All other vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the RV Oceanic Endeavour and her towed equipment a wide berth and keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.

Full details of the survey area are included in Marine Notice No 28 of 2016, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

Published in Marine Warning

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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