INSS exhibits at Celtic Explorer Commissioning
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The Marine Institute's new vessel, the Celtic Explorer, was formally commissioned in Galway Harbour on Friday 11th April 2003. Alongside other research commitments her main focus of activity over the next three years is the Irish National Seabed Survey, starting immediately in 2003 when she was deployed for 150 days in data acquisition. She has been kitted out with the highest international-standard multibeam sonar surveying technologies, amongst other data-acquisition tools. She was deployed in Donegal Bay in May where she continued surveying the area commenced by her sister vessel, the Celtic Voyager, in 2002. Throughout 2003 she carried out extensive surveying in shallow waters in the area referred to as Zone 2 - the 200-50m contour. |
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In support of the commissioning the Marine Institute hosted an exhibition at the docks alongside the Celtic Explorer on Saturday and Sunday 12-13th. The laboratory vessel became a floating exhibition as she opened her doors to the public before setting sail on official duties. Visitors were welcomed onboard by crew and scientists to see how they live and work on the Celtic Explorer. More than 9000 people visited the ship for tours and the exhibition area and many of them came and talked to us at our stand about the biggest marine survey in the world - ours! |
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