RV Celtic Voyager CV0807
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Celtic Voyager (45CV) |
| Cruise identifier | CV0807 |
| Cruise period | 2008-03-24 — 2008-04-04 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Dublin, Ireland |
| Port of return | Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Aims
1. To conduct a plankton survey using a 76cm Gulf VII plankton sampler to determine the distribution and abundance of cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglifinus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) eggs. 2. To remove fish eggs from fresh plankton samples at sea. To measure, stage and preserve these eggs individually, in ethanol prior to species identification using a DNA technique on return to the laboratory. 3. To collect surface salinity samples every three sampling stations. 4. To collect surface chlorophyll samples every three sampling stations. 5. To collect fine mesh (80 micron) PUP net samples for subsequent zooplankton analysis on every Gulf VII deployment. 6. To continuously log sub-surface (3m) salinity, temperature and fluorometry data using the ships pumped seawater supply and onboard CTD. Narrative RV Celtic Voyager sailed from Dublin at 06:00h, 25 March. The vessel was at the first plankton station just east of Dublin harbour by 07:10h. Good progress was made during the first day, sampling with the AFBINI Pronet CTD and software system, due to the continued failure of the Cefas Valeport system. Eight stations were completed in the south of stratum 'A' before the ship headed east into Liverpool Bay. Working in fine weather, 24 stations were completed in stratum 'E' by 05:15h, 27 March. Celtic Voyager then headed west in anticipation of gale force southerly winds forecast later the same day. Plankton sampling continued on the northern transect in stratum 'B' and into stratum 'A', where a further five stations were completed before the ship headed for shelter in Dublin, docking at 20:40h. Celtic Voyager sailed from Dublin at 10:30h, 28 March as the gale force southerly winds became westerly and eased slightly. Good progress was made, working in sheltered coastal waters, heading north in stratum 'A' during the rest of the day. The final station in stratum 'A' was completed by 02:00h, 29 March. The vessel continued working north along the Irish coast, completing a further three stations in stratum 'C', before seeking shelter from a southerly gale in Belfast Lough, and eventually docking in Belfast at 15:30h, 29 March. Celtic Voyager sailed from Belfast at 09:00h, 30 March and resumed sampling in stratum 'C' at midday. Good progress was made in moderating conditions, working south down the western coast of the Isle of Man. Largest concentrations of 'cod-sized' eggs were noted in stations around the southwest of the Isle of Man. Sampling continued the following morning, heading east into stratum 'D'. With strong to gale force southerly winds once again forecast, it was decided to head north during the afternoon and then return west to seek shelter in Douglas, Isle of Man where the ship docked at 18:30h. After a full day in Douglas, Celtic Voyager sailed at 04:45h, 2 April and headed east towards Barrow-in-Furness on the Cumbrian coast. Sampling recommenced, in fine weather, at 08:15h on the most southerly transect in stratum 'D'. Excellent progress was made working north along the English west coast and into the Solway Firth. Sampling continued without interruption along the southern coast of Scotland until the final station was completed south of Luce Bay at 05:45h, 3 April. Celtic Voyager then set course for Belfast where the vessel docked at 12:00h the same day. |
| Chief scientist | Stephen Paul Milligan (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory) |
| Coordinating body | CEFAS |
| Cruise programme |  (0.03 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.03 MB) |
| NPRC | (0.29 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Irish Sea and St. George's Channel |
| Specific | Irish Sea |
| Track charts | (0.02 MB) |
