FRV Alba Na Mara 1015A
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM) |
| Cruise identifier | 1015A |
| Cruise period | 2015-07-03 — 2015-07-19 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
To retrieve and re-deploy a series of moorings comprising either dhan buoys (nine surface marked moorings) or acoustic release systems (21 subsurface moorings) and the acoustic recording devices attached to them (30 C-POD and ten SM2M) as part of the east coast marine mammal monitoring programme. Procedure Loading of all equipment will be carried out on 30 June when the previous survey (0915A) returns to Fraserburgh. Alba na Mara will sail from Fraserburgh on the morning of 3 July and make for the first mooring position. The ultimate order in which the moorings are retrieved/deployed will be dictated by the weather forecast and the likely shelter that can be provided by the east coast. Accurate position records will be kept detailing where the moorings are eventually placed as this may differ from the planned position. Additional sampling equipment were attached to the moorings at the previous deployment, of these the temperature samplers will be replaced in situ and the biological samplers will be left in place. Moorings that cannot be found or retrieved will be replaced with the same type of mooring. Alba na Mara will visit the most suitable port depending on her location around 11 July for a half landing and to exchange scientific staff members. Once all the moorings have been deployed Alba na Mara will return to Fraserburgh by 19 July to unload the remaining gear and allow the scientific crew to disembark and return to Aberdeen. Normal contacts will be maintained with the Marine Laboratory. |
| Chief scientist | Robert Watret (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.30 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea |
| Specific | East coast of Scotland |