National Report on Marine Institute RV Activities 5 th –7 th August 2004. Rhodes, Greece.

1. National Report on Marine Institute RV Activities5th –7th August 2004. Rhodes, Greece. John Breslin Manager Research Vessel Operations Marine Institute, Ireland

2. RV Management • The vessels are managed by the R.V. Operations section of the Marine Institute and operated by the technicial superintendency service provider Marine Technical & Development Services Ltd. MTDS Ltd. crew the vessels and provide technical and logistical support. • The superintendency service for the operation of the Celtic Voyager and the Celtic Explorer is currently being tendered by the Marine Institute • Following receipt of the Pre Qualification Information a number of companies have been invited to tender

3. RV Management cont. Sources of Funding • EU through the Data Directive (IBTS) • INTEREG (Nutrients survey) • National Funding (Seabed Survey) • Commercial Charter Chartering of Research Vessels • Both research vessels are available for research programmes and commercial chartering • Survey programmes vary from a few days to 100+ days.

4. RV Management – Survey Planning System. • A new web based software application the Survey Planning System (SPS) is now being used by the Marine Institute to aid members of the R.V. Ops team in the management of survey programmes. In advance of each survey programme authorised users of the vessels provide RV Ops with sailing instructions, technicial & logistical requirements and proposed research activities via the web. • At the planning stage, the SPS will be used by scientists to provide the institute with information on proposed research activities, logistics, equipment requirements, user equipment and technical support. • R.V. Operations staff and M TDS Ltd personnel use this information to prepare the vessel for use by the survey team

5. Advantages: • User friendly • Database of equipment, contacts and organisations • Effective cruise planning for RV operations, crew and technicians • Cruise schedule and information available on web site

6. 2004 Shiptime Allocations Celtic Explorer(290 survey days) • Fisheries Surveys (123) • National Seabed Survey (135) • Oceanographic & Deepwater Benthic Survey (21) • Site Survey (11days) • Warranty Dry Dock (21 Days) Celtic Voyager (228 survey days) • Fisheries Surveys (64) • Other survey programmes (164)

7. Utilisation of Research Vessels • Irish National Seabed Survey – Multibeam, Sub bottom profile, magnetics and gravity mapping of Zone 2 area of western Irish shelf • Fisheries Research (IBTS, Acoustic Surveys for herring & Blue Whiting, International Mackerel Egg Surveys) • Environmental Monitoring & Benthic Studies – CTD’s, benthic samples and water samples for analysis of deep sea bacteria • Deployment & Recovery of Meteorological data buoys

8. Constant Temperature Container Lab Features Access to clean power. 2 x watertight doors in opposite corners. Connected to ship’s alarm and communications systems.

10. Planned Additions Installation of sink and water supply Connection to MDM400, ships data storage/display facility.

11. Equipment under consideration for acquisition/manufacture in 2004 and 2005 • IXSEA Portable USBL System • Side Scan Sonar System • Electric Winch for SSS • Modifications to main net drum to accommodate signal cable • Cable handling facility • Automatic Meterological Station

12. Thank You