Cruise Report 31st May 1967

Cruise Report
F.R.S. "Explorer"
31st May - 4th July, 1967.

Narrative: Explorer sailed from Aberdeen at 2000 hours at 31st May and proceeded to the west coast. Some preliminary trawling and gear testing work was carried out on the 1st and 2nd June at positions northwest of the Butt of Lewis.

As arranged, Mr Ritchie joined Explorer at Stornoway in the evening of 2nd June and Explorer proceeded to Rockall Bank, a line of hydro and plankton stations being worked en route to the northern edge of the Bank where an intensive plankton survey for blue whiting larvae was begun. Except for some short interruptions due to the stormy weather, this work continued until 8th June when Explorer made for Greenock where she berthed on 10th June.

After repairs to radar, echosounders and other equipment had been completed, Explorer sailed from Greenock on the afternoon of 12th June, returning to Rockall to complete the programme of plankton sampling and to carry out a fishing survey. This work continued until the afternoon of 20th June when the ship proceeded to grounds on the edge of the continental shelf. Fishing began at a position to the northwest of Ireland on 21st June and the survey was continued northwards along the edge of the continental shelf until 26th June, when the Explorer put into Stornoway to land a sick member of the crew and replenish freshwater supplies. She sailed from Stornoway in the afternoon of 27th June and returned to the ground northwest of St.Kilda. A period of stormy weather hindered the work, however, and trawling was not resumed until 30th June. The survey continued until 3rd July when Explorer returned to Aberdeen and berthed there at mid-day on 4th July.

I.G.Baxter
4th August, 1967