Celtic Explorer CE20007
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | Celtic Explorer (45CE) |
| Cruise identifier | CE20007 |
| Cruise period | 2020-04-21 — 2020-05-17 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Galway, Ireland |
| Port of return | Galway, Ireland |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | The INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland's MArine Resource (INFOMAR) programme is a joint venture between Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute. The programme is a successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed in the near-shore area.
The programme is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE). INFOMAR Phase 1, 2006 to 2015 focused on mapping 26 priority bays and 3 priority areas around Ireland and creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed in those areas. INFOMAR Phase 2, 2016 to 2026 intends to map the remainder of Ireland's entire seabed. A range of diverse navigation, environmental, cultural and international legislative obligations must also be addressed. The INFOMAR Programme is intended to address these outstanding issues while also delivering an enhanced data management and delivery service for data gathered under both the INSS and INFOMAR. This data delivery strategy is intended to promote the creation of value added products. INFOMAR is primarily a multibeam sonar survey. This acoustic technique provides detailed bathymetry (water depth) data, morphology and hardness and roughness information on the nature of the seabed. A towed magnetometer evaluates the nature and structure of the deeper geology and any manmade ferrous material on the seabed, such as shipwrecks. Other survey techniques are also being used to acquire additional datasets including: single beam echo sounder, sub-bottom profiler (shallow seismic), water column measures of salinity, conductivity, temperature and speed of sound profiles, seabed ground-truthing using grabs. |
| Chief scientist | Thomas Furey (Marine Institute Galway) |
| NPRC |  (0.26 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Celtic Sea |
