Marine

Testing the Water with the MRV Scotia

July 20, 2018 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Research Vessel Surveys

Survey: 1018S MRV Scotia

Duration: 21-25 July 2018

Objectives:

1. Deploy an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone from Scotia to monitor turbulence in the Pentland Firth over the MeyGen site, at the South end of Stroma.
2. Record distribution of seabirds/mammals.
3. Record multi-frequency acoustic data using the on board Simrad EK60 scientific echosounder.
4. Record data using the on board Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP).
5. Run the thermosalinograph, taking water and chlorophyll samples throughout the trip for calibration purposes.

Route:

It is expected that the route will approximately follow that of the 2016 survey (see Figure 1 below), with any amendments in accord with navigational requirements at the time.

Procedure:

Departing on the morning of 21 July the MRV Scotia will make its way to the Pentland Firth. The UAV will be deployed along a fixed transect between Stroma and the mainland, against the prevailing tide. Scotia will follow the drone as near as practicable. At the end of the transect the drone will be recovered and Scotia will proceed round the north of Stroma to repeat the transect. Data will be recorded on the EK60/ADCP to monitor changes in water movements/turbulence.

The “bird boxes” will be used to record bird/mammal sightings.

This survey has previously taken place in June 2016. During that survey self-recording listening devices (drifting Sea Ears) were deployed, tracked and recovered across the MeyGen site from the fast boat based on Scotia. This year, work relating to the drifting Sea Ears will be shore based. During the survey, passage over turbine number two (the South Westerly turbine at the MeyGen site) will be given consideration prior to its removal. If safe to do so, at least one passage will be made over the turbine whilst running the ADCP and EK60.

Further Information:

• When a research vessel became an aircraft carrier…for drones (survey 0816S)
• Other research vessel blogs
• Marine Scotland
• MeyGen website

Tags: MeyGen, MRV Scotia, Pentland Firth, sampling, science, Scotia, turbine

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