Resources

RRS Discovery D323

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD323
Cruise period2007-09-18 — 2007-10-03
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFalmouth, United Kingdom
Port of returnFalmouth, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe main objective of the RRS Discovery Cruise 323 was to carry out the first deep sea field trials of the National Oceanography Centre developed Autosub6000 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. We also took the opportunity, working with engineers from Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, to carry out deep water testing to test integrated two way Acoustic and Satellite communications systems. NOC Benthic Biologists also carried out seabed sampling operations at the base of the Whittard and King Arthur canyons.

As far as the Autosub6000 operations were concerned, the objectives of the cruise were completely met, with 8 dives, lasting 60 hours total and running for 278 km, to a maximum depth of 4553 m, and without faults. The POL test of the Acoustic and Satellite systems were a success, and the NOC Benthic biologists were successful in obtaining 34 seabed Mega core samples at the base of the Whittard canyon.
Chief scientistStephen D McPhail (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
ProjectOceans 2025
Coordinating bodyNERC
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D323 cruise report d323.pdf (1.45 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificNorth Atlantic Ocean
Measurements 
Geology and geophysics 
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 7
Description: Station: 16376. Whittard Canyon. N47 22.54, W10 10.96, Depth 4241. 31 cm sampled.
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 4
Description: Station: 16377. Whittard Canyon. N47 22.46, W10 10.99, Depth 4245. 14 cm sampled.
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 1
Description: Station: 16381. Whittard Canyon. N47 22.50, W10 11.02, Depth 4243. 18 cm sampled.
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 8
Description: Station: 16379. Whittard Canyon. N47 22.53, W10 11.02, Depth 4241. 29 cm sampled.
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 7
Description: Station: 16380. Whittard Canyon. N47 22.50, W10 11.02, Depth 4245. 25 cm sampled.
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 8
Description: Station: 16378. Whittard Canyon. N47 22.47, W10 10.99, Depth 4243. 29 cm sampled.