I am travelling on board the RV Celtic Voyager as a member
of the Marine Institute INFOMAR survey team. This seabed mapping survey expands
on previous surveys in an effort to create a range of integrated mapping
products for Ireland. My role will be as an online surveyor. This involves
operating the survey systems on a 12 hour shift rotation. We will have 24 hour
operations on board to maximise our efforts for our ship time.
Leaving the Cork city on the
24th of April 2017 our destination is approximately 45 nautical
miles east of Cork Harbour, about 25 nautical miles south of the Waterford
Coastline. Our efforts will last one week depending on weather conditions which
are rough and building as I write this blog.
Leaving Cork Harbour
This trip is a special one for me as it is my first with the
Marine Institute and my first time on board the RV Celtic Voyager. Upon
arriving at the vessel docked on the Cork quays I was welcomed on board by the
captain and shown around the vessel. There is a crew of 11 on board which
includes 7 crew and 4 scientists.
The Vessel consists of three floors with the wheelhouse and
dry lab on the top floor. I will be mostly working in the dry lab where our
surveying computers are setup. The middle floor contains the mess which
includes a canteen and lounge, and wet lab which is where all the wet and dirty
work goes on with access to the working deck at the stern of the vessel. The
bottom floor is where the crew cabins and washing facilities are located.
My cabin is more spacious than I expected with bunk beds, a
sink, wardrobe, TV and small bench. I’m sharing my cabin with another scientist
who will work on an opposite 12 hour shift to me. This is to insure there are
no disruptions during our sleeping hours. Being the newest scientist on board,
I have inevitably got the night shift working from 12 midnight to 12 noon.
The Dry Lab
Right now we are in transit to the survey area which will
take about six hours. I am looking forward to getting surveying and seeing what
the weather has in store for us. My plan for the evening are to have dinner at
1800 and get some sleep before starting my shift tonight.
24/04/2016
