FRV Alba Na Mara 0614A
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM) |
| Cruise identifier | 0614A |
| Cruise period | 2014-04-26 — 2014-05-13 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Ullapool, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To undertake grab, underwater television (UTV) and RoxAnn surveys of West Coast and Clyde sea disposal sites at Ullapool, Tayinloan, Cambelltown, Rothsay Bay, Hunterston Port Ellen, Tiree and Loch Stonasaig 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 North Irish Sea and Solway sea disposal sites at North Channel Scotland, Stranraer Port Patrick, Burrow Head A and Burrow Head B 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 Western Isles sea disposal sites at Loch maddy, Leverburgh and Stornoway and Orkney sea disposal sites at Stromness B, Stromness C and Scapa 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 grab, UTV and RoxAnn surveys of the North Sea disposal sites at South Buchan Ness, South Buchan Ness B, Middle Buchan Ness, Middle Buchan Ness B, North Buchan Ness and Peterhead 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. 5. Contingency: To undertake UTV survey of Noss Head MPA to survey benthic epifauna and priority marine features in MPA in the area of cable corridor for Moray Caithness cable project. 6. Contingency: To undertake UTV survey of Moray Firth Wind Farm cable corridor to survey benthic epifauna. 7. Sediment samples for Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be analysed for chemical and physical parameters. Procedure Scientific staff and equipment will be transported to Ullapool during 23-26 April, to load the vessel and set-up selected survey equipment. Survey 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 Ullapool 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/Solway before heading north via Loch Stonasaig sea disposal site to Oban. The scientific crew change will occur on 4 May. The Alba na Mara will then proceed to Tiree and on to western isles to continue with the remaining objectives as outlined above, arriving in Fraserburgh for unloading on 13 May. |
| Chief scientist | Michael Bland (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.02 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland Irish Sea and St. George's Channel |
| Specific | Scottish west and northeast coast. |
