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FRV Alba Na Mara 1115A

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier1115A
Cruise period2015-07-22 — 2015-08-09
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesObjectives

Survey of sea disposal sites along the east coast and in the Firth of Forth.

1. To undertake sediment grabs, underwater TV (UTV) and RoxAnn surveys of north east coast sea disposal sites at Peterhead, Aberdeen and Stonehaven.
2. To undertake sediment grabs, underwater TV (UTV) and RoxAnn surveys of east coast sea disposal sites at Montrose, Arbroath, Middle Bank and Tay Bridge (access permitting).
3. To undertake sediment grabs, underwater TV (UTV) and RoxAnn surveys of Firth of Forth sea disposal sites at Blae Rock, Boness, Oxcars, Leith, Narrow Deep, Port Seton, Dunbar and Eyemouth.
4. To undertake sediment grabs, underwater TV (UTV) and RoxAnn surveys at a proposed aggregate extraction site at Middle Bank (Forth).
5. To undertake sediment grabs, UTV and RoxAnn surveys of a reference area for comparison with sea disposal sites within the Firth of Forth. This will be carried out at a location centred on the coordinates: 56 6.322N 03 3.207W.
6. Sediment samples for Objectives 1-5 will be analysed for chemical and physical parameters.

Procedure

Loading of the Alba na Mara will take place to correspond with the unloading from the previous survey (1015A) at Fraserburgh on 19 July. The vessel will depart Fraserburgh on 22 July as soon as possible, and proceed south to start the work programme outlined in Objectives 1-4. Each of the areas of proposed works will, where feasible, be surveyed in sequence (exact sequence may change due to access/sea conditions). The half landing and crew change will be made on 29 July, at Leith or Rosyth, where C Hall, D Bova, T Roberts and P Millar will be replaced by J Hunter, A Keir, V Bell and N Bain. The Alba na Mara will sail following the half landing and head east to complete the remaining sea disposal site surveys as outlined in the objectives. On completion of these surveys the Alba na Mara will head back to Fraserburgh for unloading on 09 August 2015.
Chief scientistMichael Bland (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 1115A cruise programme 1115a.pdf  (0.02 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificEast coast of Scotland