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FRV Alba Na Mara 0712A

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier0712A
Cruise period2012-04-26 — 2012-05-14
StatusCompleted
Port of departureUllapool, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeFisheries
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To undertake grab, underwater television (UTV) and RoxAnn surveys of West Coast sea disposal sites at Stornoway, Isle of Eigg, Sound of Canna, Lochinver and Loch Inchard and assess the condition of the seabed, identify the predominant benthic epifauna species, and the distribution of man-made debris. Some of the disposal sites are added as contingency.

2. To undertake grab, UTV and RoxAnn surveys of the Firth of Clyde sea disposal sites at Ayr Bay, Girvan, Hunterston, Cloch Point, Garroch Head, Birch Point and Broddich and assess the condition of the seabed, identify the predominant benthic epifauna species, and the distribution of man-made debris. Some of the disposal sites are added as contingency.

3. To undertake grab, UTV and RoxAnn surveys of the North Coast sea disposal sites at Scrabster and Thurso and Moray Firth sea disposal sites at Sutors, Burghead, Lossiemouth and Macduff and assess the condition of the seabed, identify the predominant benthic epifauna species, and the distribution of man-made debris. Some of the disposal sites are added as contingency.

4. To undertake UTV survey of Loch Creran as part of an investigation into removal of mooring blocks (provisional and dependent on Crown Estate).

5. Sediment samples for Objectives 1, 2 and 3 will be analysed for chemical and physical parameters.

Procedure

Scientific staff and equipment will be transported to Ullapool during the morning of 24/25 April, to load the vessel and set-up selected survey equipment. Cruise personnel will join the vessel at Ullapool during the morning of 26 April. The Alba na Mara will depart Ullapool as soon as possible, and proceed to Isle of Eigg sea disposal site to start the work programme outlined in Objectives 1-4. Each sea disposal site will be surveyed in turn, moving south to the Firth of Clyde before heading north via Girvan sea disposal site to Oban. The crew change, where D Walker, A Keir and A Sutherland will replace C Megginson, M McKenzie and H Green will occur on 5 May. The Alba na Mara will then proceed to Loch Creran - provisionally, or Canna to continue with the remaining objectives as outlined above, arriving in Fraserburgh for unloading on 14 May.
Chief scientistColin Megginson (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Project10244
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 0712A cruise programme 0712a.pdf  (0.02 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificWest Coast, Firth of Clyde, North Coast, Moray Firth, Loch Creran