Two scientific deep-sea moorings deployed at the Goban Spur off the southwestern continental shelf last year will be recovered and redeployed next week.
German research vessel Meteor (Callsign DBBH) will be involved in the redeployment on behalf of the University of Bremen and the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), which is scheduled to begin next Monday 29 June and conclude Saturday 4 July, as part of scientific cruise M164 (GPF-19-1-105).
Similar to their current deployment, the deep-sea moorings will stay in the water for a period of about 13-14 months (to July/August 2021).
Both have been anchored by ~1,000kg bottom weights. Scientific instruments are attached at different depths to ropes and chains. Sub-surface floatation bodies will keep the moorings upright.
As this is sensitive scientific equipment, it is kindly requested that fishermen and marine operators engaged in such activities as bottom trawling or laying of static gear avoid the locations concerned to avoid damaging the equipment or damaging fishing gear.
Details of the locations of these dee-sea moorings and contact information are included in Marine Notice No 24 of 2020, which is available to download below.
