Cruise Report 19th August 1967

Cruise Report
F.R.S. "Explorer"
19th - 30th August, 1967.

Narrative: Explorer sailed from Aberdeen at 1230 hrs on 19th August, and proceeded to the area between Rockall and St. Kilda. Instrumented gear testing was commenced on the 21st August, using the mid-water trawl on the port side. The weather was excellent, with very little wind, and a number of operations on that day were filmed. However, the succeeding days were overcast, with some mist and drizzle, which made colour filing impracticable. After three days, work with the mid-water trawl was concluded because of damage to the net, and the ship steamed to the shallower ground off St. Kilda.

On 24th August, having surveyed the ground by echosounder and found it to be good, the bottom trawl was used on the starboard side. Tests were carried out at depths ranging from 80 to 140 fathoms, using various lengths of warp. Filming of the activities on the ship was recommenced as the weather was dry and the light had improved. Catching rates were high, and it was clear that the gear was fishing well. Where the water was not too deep, the prototype telemeter unit was attached to the net, and its signals were successfully received by a receiver towed behind the ship. By the 27th, the tests using the longer bridle length (39 fm) were complete and the ship steamed into deeper water in order to test the handling of the spare mid-water trawl. This was successfully concluded by the end of that day, and the ship returned to St. Kilda.

Having fitted the shorter bridles (30 fm) to the bottom trawl, the gear was tested in the same conditions as previously. Where possible the telemeter or the Furuno depth transmitter was attached to the gear. The weather remained fine and a considerable about of film was taken. Work continued until the 29th August, when Explorer made for Greenock, where she berthed on the evening of 30th August. Equipment for the second part of the trip had been sent to Greenock by lorry, and this was transferred to the ship on the morning of the 31st. Instruments and other equipment were then loaded on to the lorry for the return journey, and the scientific staff then returned to Aberdeen by train.

D.N. MacLennan
5th October, 1967.