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FRV Alba Na Mara 0509A

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier0509A
Cruise period2009-04-02 — 2009-04-06
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeFisheries
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To develop deployment and recovery procedures for a variety of instrumented platforms and environmental sensors, including the towed TV (RCTV), Dual Methot (DMIKT) and OCEAN plankton samplers, the CTD water sampler SBE32/911 and the port-side transducer/instrument pole.

2. To deploy and recover a "U"-mooring incorporating a Sentinel buoy and chain anchors.

3. To calibrate the RoxAnn system.

4. To develop procedures to attach, deploy and recover instruments on trawl doors and nets.

5. To develop and test software drivers for external instrumentation connected to the DAVIS-SHIP data acquisition system.

Narrative

Scientific equipment (DMIKT, transducer pole, deck-mounted net-drum, BT158 and Morgere doors) were transported to Fraserburgh on 16 March. Staff joined Alba na Mara during the morning of 2 April, when the DMIKT frame and one net were rigged, and the RoxAnn system installed and tested. The vessel sailed early in the afternoon to an area west of Fraserburgh where there were known hard and soft seabed types. The RoxAnn system was calibrated and training given to staff to record and verify sediment data.

The DMIKT plankton sampler was deployed from the central trawl wire over the stern rail. Repeated deployments and immediate recoveries were made to confirm the procedure, and then the frame was stowed. It was noted that the tow wire fouled the new CTD winch, to which a protective guard was temporarily fitted.

A T-count hanging block was suspended from the port-side crane to accommodate the new 6mm CTD wire, which was shown to be accurately metered by the block. The potential for un-even spooling on the winch barrel was noted and may be avoided by swinging the crane head fore and aft.

Alba na Mara returned to Fraserburgh during the evening to drop-off P. Copland. On
Friday 3 April the DMIKT was off-loaded and further equipment loaded on board. G Slesser and D Lichtman attended for harbour d
Chief scientistChris D Hall (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
ProjectFRELI1
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 0509A cruise programme 0509a.pdf  (0.02 MB) 
Cruise reportFRV Alba Na Mara 0509A cruise report 0509a.pdf (0.02 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificMoray Firth