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RV Cefas Endeavour 01/10

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9)
Cruise identifier01/10
Cruise period2010-01-08 — 2010-01-13
StatusCompleted
Port of departureLowestoft, United Kingdom
Port of returnLowestoft, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesAims

1. Deploy and recover a SmartBuoy at Warp, West Gabbard and Dowsing (SLA25 + E5304).
2. Deploy and recover a Waverider at West Gabbard, Tyne and Isle of May (C3212).
3. Deploy a waverider and guard buoy on the Dogger Bank (C3628).
4. Collect surface and bottom "nutrient" samples and profiles at CSEMP locations (SLA25).
5. Collect surface "nutrient samples every two hours (SLA25/DP240).
6. Collect sediment samples for lab trials of new kit (E5301).
7. Assessment of flow-through primary production instruments.

Narrative

Cefas Endeavour sailed, as planned, at 14:30 Friday 8th Jan. Undertook engine/vibration trials until 17:30 when the engineer was taken ashore via pilot launch. The water sampling for nutrients (Aim 5) started immediately with hourly stations until arrival at the West Gabbard buoy site. A CTD rosette profile was obtained. The waverider was recovered but with the loss of the rubber cord and mooring. A replacement waverider was deployed as planned (Aim 2). The weather had deteriorated beyond the point where the SmartBuoy could be serviced. After an overnight steam to the Warp (arriving 05:30) for a CTD rosette cast (Aim 4), the SmartBuoy recovery and deployment (Aim 1), CTD and NIOZ corer was deployed (X3) to obtain some "muddy" cores (Aim 6).

The ship then proceeded to "Area 222" near the West Gabbard but it was too rough to use NIOZ corer. The weather was very poor and with a strong NE wind and 4m+ swell, it was not possible to deploy any gear over the side. Water samples were collected via the continuous flow for the rest of the day and through the night (although at a reduced rate due to the low ship speed). Sunday 10th Jan - steaming to just off Flamborough by breakfast, then headed offshore to deploy Dogger waverider. Although this was directly into the wind, it made the ship movement more comfortable and safer. At first light on Monday 11th Jan (09:00), a guard buoy and waverider were deployed on Dogger Bank (Aim 3). The wind had eased considerably so the Endeavour steamed towards Dowsing collecting hourly water samples. On arrival at 16:00 the SmartBuoy was recovered and deployed (Aim 1) with water samples collected before and a CTD cast afterwards.

The Tyne waverider had stopped transmitting so after a review of the weather, the ship headed back north, via Wash, Humber and Tees (Aim 4). Water samples were collected half-hourly between Wash and Humber and hourly back to Tees. On Tuesday 08:30, the Tyne waverider was recovered and a new on deployed (in around 2m swell, 25kts wind). The ship then had to run 3 engines to ensure timely arrival at the West Gabbard. The West Gabbard SmartBuoy was serviced Wednesday 12th Jan - 08:30 (Aim 1). It was only a short steam to Area 222 for gravel (10x buckets), then to Outer Gabbard for some sand (Aim 6).

The vessel docked at Lowestoft Wednesday 13th January at 19:30. Samples were collected throughout the cruise for Aim 7 and the only aim not completed was the service of the Firth of Forth waverider due to the weather.
Chief scientistDavid Brian Sivyer (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Cruise programmeRV Cefas Endeavour 01/10 cruise programme endeavour01_10.pdf  (0.04 MB) 
Cruise reportRV Cefas Endeavour 01/10 cruise report endeavour01_10.pdf (0.32 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificWarp, West Gabbard, Dowsing, Tyne, Isle of May, Dogger Bank
Track chartsRV Cefas Endeavour 01/10 cruise track — endeavour1_10trk.pdf (0.31 MB)