FRV Alba Na Mara 2017A
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM) |
| Cruise identifier | 2017A |
| Cruise period | 2017-11-18 — 2017-11-27 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Leith, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
To retrieve a series of moorings comprising dhan buoys (eight surface marked moorings) or acoustic release systems (22 subsurface moorings) and the acoustic recording devices attached to them (30 C-POD and 10 SM2M/SM3M) as part of the east coast marine mammal monitoring programme. Procedure Alba na Mara will sail from Fraserburgh on the morning of 18 November and make for the first mooring position. The ultimate order in which the moorings are retrieved will be dictated by the weather forecast and the likely shelter that can be provided by the east coast. Acoustically triggered moorings that may have malfunctioned but can be located by echosounder will be grappled for using the creeping hook attached to the trawl warp. It may be necessary for Alba na Mara to make a partial unloading of retrieved moorings to ensure enough available space on the vessel. If this is the case the vessel will visit the most suitable port depending on her location at the time. If time allows Alba na Mara will attempt to retrieve further moorings in Stonehaven Bay and Aberdeen Bay. R. Main may join the vessel for Aberdeen Bay retrievals which have acoustic release systems and salmon receivers attached to them. Alba na Mara will dock in Leith by 27 November to unload and allow the scientific crew to disembark and return to Aberdeen. Normal contacts will be maintained with the Marine Laboratory. |
| Chief scientist | Paul Stainer (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.28 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea |
| Specific | Northeast Scotland |
