Uncovering Ireland’s Secrets: The INFOMAR Seabed Survey Comes to a Close
For the past two decades, a remarkable project has been mapping the depths of Ireland’s seabed – the INFOMAR programme. Utilizing advanced sonar technology, INFOMAR has been painstakingly piecing together a detailed picture of the Irish underwater landscape. This ambitious endeavor is nearing completion, leaving behind a legacy of invaluable data that will shape Ireland’s future in the oceans.
Why Mapping the Seabed Matters
The information gathered by INFOMAR has far-reaching implications. It plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime navigation safety, opening up new possibilities for marine development, and even aiding Ireland in claiming additional territorial waters.
“Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries are allowed to claim more seabed if it can be shown to be part of the same geological feature as their existing territorial waters,” explains Aileen Bohan, a hydrographer with the Geological Survey of Ireland. “This can be used to expand a country’s exclusive economic zone from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles.”
The wealth of seabed data collected by INFOMAR extends beyond territorial claims. It holds immense potential for various sectors, including:
- Aquaculture
- Marine heritage exploration
- Offshore renewable energy development
- Fisheries research
A Technological Leap Forward
Traditional maritime maps relied on dropping lead lines into the sea to measure depths. While a groundbreaking method for its time, it offered a limited and fragmented view of the seabed.
“What they were able to achieve was incredible,” admits Ms. Bohan, “but ultimately, these are spot soundings. So, you imagine that you could miss boulders, you could miss parts.”
INFOMAR’s advanced technology, utilizing multi-beam echo sounder systems, allows for the creation of comprehensive 3D imagery of the seabed. This means a far more detailed and accurate understanding of the underwater topography.
Uncovering History Beneath the Waves
Beyond mapping the seabed, INFOMAR has also played a crucial role in discovering and documenting submerged historical treasures, offering a glimpse into Ireland’s maritime past.
The Athlone Sub-Aqua Club, for example, had long searched for the wreck of the MY Roussalka in the waters off Killary Fjord. After years of unsuccessful searches, they turned to INFOMAR, who were able to locate the wreck using their sonar technology. The club received detailed images of the Roussalka, a former ambulance ship with significant historical connections.
Historian Kevin Egan highlights the significance of the discovery: “It has been shown that the Roussalka hit an uncharted rock in the bay which had not been picked up before. This is quite surprising, considering that the Royal Navy were very well acquainted with those waters, having sailed throughout them many, many times.”
The Future of Ireland’s Coast
The INFOMAR programme, a joint venture between the Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute, with funding from the Department of the Environment, is scheduled to complete its work next year.
This exhaustive project will leave behind a treasure trove of data that will shape Ireland’s future in the oceans for generations to come.
Want to learn more about INFOMAR? Visit their website at [website address].