The Portuguese Navy’s hydrooceanographic ship, NRP D. Carlos I, is carrying out, together with the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA), the Hydrographic Institute (IH), and the Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INEScTEC), an oceanographic campaign in the Madeira-Tore geological complex.
According to the Navy, the Madeira-Tore geological complex has an area of 197,431 km2 and includes 19 structures, 17 of which are seamounts, including the Ampere and Coral Patch Banks.
In the first three days of the mission, operational maintenance was carried out at the EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory) Iberian Coast Oceanographic Observation Station, southwest of Cape St. Vincent, including the collection and anchoring of scientific equipment and the collection of profiles and samples of the water column.
“The ship will now continue its mission in the Madeira-Tore geological complex, launching drifting buoys under the Global Drifter Programme to obtain data on ocean currents, collect samples from the water column and phytoplankton, as well as records of the seabed using INESCTEC’s ROV EVA, and is expected to dock in Funchal on the 18th of October.” Confirms the Portuguese Navy Website.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
