FRV Scotia 0609S
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Scotia (748S) |
| Cruise identifier | 0609S |
| Cruise period | 2009-04-27 — 2009-05-12 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Fisheries |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To undertake a nationally co-ordinated demersal trawling survey of anglerfish on the Rockall Plateau. 2. To undertake counts of anglerfish and determine coral density using the Seatronics TV chariot. 3. To undertake counts of anglerfish (using the Seatronics TV chariot) in two areas regarded as unsuitable for towing the fishing trawl. 4. To obtain temperature and salinity profiles at each trawling station. Narrative Although Scotia was prepared for sailing at 1000 on 27 April, sailing was delayed until 1230 so that a transducer for the18Khz scientific sounder could be delivered to the vessel. On departing Aberdeen, Scotia proceeded to a location near Peterhead where a series of training and familiarization routines were carried out. On completion of these routines the vessel then headed for the north coast of Scotland where the Seatronics TV Chariot was deployed in an attempt to obtain counts of anglerfish. Due to poor visibility and rough terrain this exercise was of limited value and the work was cut short with the vessel then heading for the trawling stations at Rockall. Trawling commenced on the north end of Rockall Bank on the morning of 29 April with 3 hauls being completed during the day. A series of TV tows were carried out during the night in the coral area northwest of Rockall and, although visibility was not too good, several hours of video coverage was obtained. Four trawl stations were completed on 30 April but increasing weather conditions resulted in the cancellation of TV work. With severe weather conditions on the morning of 1 May, Scotia was unable to carry out any trawling work and dodged in a southerly direction until the weather eased on the morning of 2 May. After completing 4 trawl stations, the vessel then worked through the night carrying out further TV work in the coral area but with mixed results due to poor visibility and equipment malfunction. Over the next two days, Scotia completed 8 trawl stations in the south and southwest of the survey area but camera work was again restricted due to weather conditions. Favourable weather on 5 May allowed Scotia to complete 5 trawl stations on the southeast of Rockall Bank, and then work north on the western edge, covering several TV locations during the night. A further 4 stations southwest of Rockall were completed the next day before increasing weather conditions prevented any further work. On the morning of 7 May, with severe weather conditions continuing, Scotia was required to standby a commercial fishing vessel which had become immobilized due to fouling her propeller. As weather conditions improved, Scotia was able to carry out work on nearby stations while still maintaining a support role for the vessel in difficulties. With the immobilized vessel under tow by another commercial vessel at 1700, Scotia was able to continue trawling on stations north and northeast of Rockall. With continuing improvement of weather conditions, 6 trawl stations were completed on 8 May with a series of TV tows also being done southeast of Rockall. This work proved more fruitful with visibility improving and several anglerfish being viewed. A further 4 trawl stations were completed on 9 May before Scotia departed Rockall at 1700 and headed for the TV locations south of St. Kilda. A series of TV tows were carried out in the St. Kilda region but a combination of poor visibility and unsuitable ground type limited the video coverage to several short tows. On completing the TV survey work at 0200 on 11 May, the vessel then headed for Aberdeen. Scotia docked in Aberdeen on the morning of 12 May with unloading commencing at 0830. |
| Chief scientist | Kenneth A Coull (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Project | MF01T |
| Cruise programme |  (0.08 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.08 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W) |
| Specific | Rockall Plateau |
| Track charts | (0.03 MB) |
