Resources

FRV Explorer 4/75

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Explorer (74EX)
Cruise identifier4/75
Cruise period1975-05-20 — 1975-06-09
StatusCompleted
Port of departureAberdeen, United Kingdom
Port of returnAberdeen, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1) The Faroe pre-recruit demersal fish and environmental survey
2) The Fair Isle-Munken hydrographic line
3) The ICES Base line pollution survey for Faroe Bank and Faroe plateau areas
4) The training of the new ASO's in all aspectsof the demersal team's requirements and of general shipboard duties

''Explorer'' had to be diverted by Kirkwall then returned to Aberdeen on the 21/05/1975 to land a sick member of crew. The ship sailed on the 22/05/1975 with a replacement. The ship docked at Torshavn on the 30/05/1975 for the mid cruise break and sailed on the 31/05/1975. ''Explorer'' called at Toshavn on the 05/06/1975 to pick up the bosun and a crew member, and departed on the 06/06/1975. Main engine trouble caused further work to be abandoned and the ship steamed to Inganess Bay on the 08/06/1975 for repairs.

Samples of Loglio forbesii were frozen for analysis and aquarium use. Chlanys opercularis were taken and frozen samples were put down for size and maturity studies. The age determination of haddock was done during the cruise, and samples of whiting were frozen for subsequent length weight analysis. Samples of halibut were sealed separately in bags and deep frozen.
Chief scientistSidney D E Devlin (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise reportFRV Explorer 4/75 cruise report explorer4_75.pdf (0.21 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIrish Sea and St. George's Channel
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificFair Isle-Munken area, Faroe Bank, Faroe plateau area
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of stations = 22
Description: For temperature and salinity. Samples taken at 3, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and bottom.
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: 22
Description: Samples taken at 3, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and bottom.
PhosphateQuantity: 22
Description: Samples taken at 3, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and bottom.
SilicateQuantity: 22
Description: Samples taken at 3, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and bottom.
Contamination 
Trace metalsDescription: in fish
Biology and fisheries 
Demersal fishQuantity: number of hauls = 49
Description: using a 48' Aberdeen trawl and a small mesh cover for population structures,special attention to pre-recruits. A 73 mm codend was used throughout. The otoliths of 1628 haddock and 1017 whiting were mounted and read during the cruise