CE14001 Celtic Explorer Developing Geotechno Stratigraphies Survey (Leg2) Irish Sea 2014

The Lambay Deep area was also the subject of a seismic survey to identify buried tunnel valleys and one site for CPT deployment. Under a 24 hour work routine, 17 sites were surveyed using the MARUM designed and built Geotechnical Offshore Survey Tool (GOST). In total some 306.17 m of good, in situ sub-seabed geotechnical data was collected.

A Marine Mammal Observer was also on board to conduct visual surveys for cetaceans. The key objectives of the proposal are: (1) to determine the sub-seabed stratigraphy (the succession of sedimentary layers below the seabed) in high probability areas for renewable energy farm development (2) to obtain physical samples from the sub-seabed for geotechnical analysis (3) to obtain and analyse physical samples from the sub-seabed to determine the palaeo-environmental development of the seabed and submerged coastline and low-lying terrestrial areas through time (4) to map the spatial distribution and morphological characteristics of sedimentary bedforms and collect physical samples to advance our understanding of seabed mobility in key areas and to advise the industry on optimised cable emplacement strategy in target areas (5) to provide this data as (a) base-line data to both government bodies and industry for both site selection and future environmental assessment, and (b) key data to allow for realistic financial modelling for cost-effective installations and maintenance of offshore renewable energy farms.