The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) lead the Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey Project (JIBS), approved under the INTERREG IIIA Programme, with the Marine Institute of Ireland as project partner and the Environment and Heritage Service Department of the Environment (NI) as coordinators. The existing charts of most of the coastline of Northern Ireland are Victorian in vintage and compiled from leadline soundings with sextant positioning, and are now severely outdated and are unsuitable for efficient marine stewardship. Therefore, the objective of the JIBS Project was to promote joint action to survey the seabed in such a way as to satisfy the needs of many organisations.
JIBS was approved by INTERREG IIIA in September 2006, subject to economic appraisal. Total project funding of €2,133,508 was awarded under Priority 2 Measure 2: €1,274,948 in 2007, and €858,460 in 2008.
The Marine Institute entered into partnership with the MCA under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and contract for services.
The JIBS project commenced on 10 April 2007 and was completed by 31 October 2008.
The data acquired may be viewed at http://gsigis1.dcmnronline.ie/imf/imf.jsp?site=JIBS. The data may be downloaded at https://jetstream.gsi.ie/jibs/index.html.
Figure: MI Coverage achieved during JIBS
What JIBS set out to achieve
The main aims of the JIBS project proposal were as follows:
- To provide, for the first time, comprehensive multibeam bathymetry data over prioritised areas within the 3nm coastal strip between Donegal Bay and Dundalk Bay. The area initially proposed is the 3nm coastal strip from Malin Head to Rathlin Island. The survey will be conducted to IHO “Order 1” standard. Target areas will be identified after consultation with the stakeholder groups. A total of 140 vessel days are expected. Both MCA-appointed contractors and the Marine Institute R.V. Celtic Voyager will carry out the hydrographic survey.
- To obtain ground-truthed, geocoded backscatter data for the surveyed area. Ground truthing will be performed by grab-sample.
- To provide seabed texture sheets for the surveyed area showing interpreted seabed types. To serve up multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data as “Generic Sensor Format” files on the world-wide web.
- To disseminate the results of the survey between all interested stakeholders.
- To work co-operatively with the Marine Institute of Ireland to ensure results are compatible with the needs of both nations and to foster better technology and procedure transfer between the MCA and the Marine Institute.
- To provide bathymetry data to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office to enable updating of nautical charts and publications in Northern Irish and Irish waters to improve safety for mariners.
Project deliverables
A comprehensive multibeam survey provided an extremely detailed foundation map that, in addition to fulfilling the National SOLAS requirements, will underpin all forms of marine data, including habitat and environmental data; permitting oceanographic modelling and marine spatial planning. The key products arising from this programme include digital data and maps illustrating:
- 100% coverage of seabed bathymetry as an aid to navigation;
- 100% coverage of acoustic backscatter to identify seabed bottom type;
- marine geology derived from the above;
- currents, tides, temperature and salinity measurements in the water;
- identification of benthic habitats; and
underwater archaeological heritage.
Cooperation and data sharing within JIBS
The immediate benefits of this project are three-fold:
- The generation of the foundation multibeam data set and derivative maps, as discussed above, to be made available to all interested parties.
- The instigation of cross border cooperation. The MCA has entered into partnership with the Marine Institute of Ireland for the JIBS project, as both organisations have experience in gathering hydrographic data and providing the data to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office for the update of nautical charts. This project will help to unify the standards that both organisations employ and will help technology transfer between the two organisations. The Marine Institute manage an important data portal that permits data access to interested partners and stakeholders. The Marine Institute are also co-leaders, with the Geological Survey of Ireland in the €12M INFOMAR Project, designed to carry out integrated mapping around key coastal areas of Ireland. This project addresses the requirements of ecosystem management and marine spatial planning and is closely linked with Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-13
- In addition to the project partners, the JIBS project will provide a forum for north/south cooperation, via the steering group and stakeholders meetings. At the initial meeting, held in Belfast on the 21st February 2007, representatives of the following organisations were present: MCA; MI; Water management Unit EHS; Natural Heritage Directorate EHS; GSINI; DARD NI and AFBI. It is expected that these organisations will continue involvement within the project, both as advisors and within the steering group. The Marine Institute are currently partners in the INTERREG IIIB MESH project and are part of the successful North West Shelf consortium with AFBI (DARD NI) and the British Geological Survey (UK), and have acquired multibeam and biological data from some key cross border sites around Northern Ireland. It is expected that this consortium will play an active role in the JIBS project; expanding the cooperative network.
Steering Group
The INTERREG IIIA grant requested that the Project Management establish a Project Steering Group. This group was chaired by Claire Vincent of Water Management Unit, Environment and Heritage Service Department of the Environment (NI), and representatives of all strategic partners from the following organisations were invited to participate in the group:
The responsibilities of the Project Steering Group included: an agreement of the technical content of work plans and reports; monitoring of project progress and deliverables; and monitoring and control of project expenditure. The group met quarterly.
Schedule
Five steering group meetings were held in total.
First steering group meeting - 1st August 2007 at the EHS offices in Belfast. Prior to this meeting a questionnaire was circulated to all identified stakeholders requesting confirmation of target survey areas and approval of the proposed survey methodology.
A stakeholder meeting was held on the 2nd August 2007 in Belfast. The target areas were identified at this meeting. The technical scope of work document was compiled and agreed.
Second steering group meeting - 12th November 2007 at the Marine Institute HQ in Galway.
On receipt of an Hydrographic Instruction from the UKHO, survey work commenced in November 2007.
Third steering group meeting – 26th February 2008 at the offices of the MCA in Southampton
Acquisition was completed in May 2008 and data were submitted to the UKHO.
Fourth steering group meeting – 13th June 2008 at the offices of the Geological Survey of Ireland in Dublin.
Final steering group meeting – 29th September 2008 at the Ramada Hotel in Portrush. Results were presented to an invited audience.
All MI work packages, including the web delivery portal and data processing were completed by 31st October 2008.
Update
The Celtic Voyager mobilised in Lisahalley, Derry on 01st November and surveyed an area between Inishowen Head and Glengad head. Demobilisation took place in Killybegs on the 29th November. 140 Square Kilometres were covered during this leg. Work was restricted by sea state and weather conditions in the area. The cooperation received from the Port of Lisahalley and from local fishing community facilitated the smooth running of survey operations.
Features identified include sandwaves on the seabed in water depths of c. 50m. They are up to 5 metres in height and can be 100’s metres long.
In some places, the shape of the seabed as observed using 21st century methods is very similar to the shape of the seabed charted using 19th century technology.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s contract vessel mobilised in December and conducted surveys extending between Lough Foyle and Rathlin Island.
The second phase of acquisition onboard the Celtic Voyager commenced on 10th April, and ran for a month. The vessel again mobilised at Lisahally (Derry).
280 Square Kilometres were covered during this leg between Glengad Head and Melmore Head using the newly commissioned EM3002 MBES. The seaward boundary of the survey area was reduced from the 3nM limit allowing for reasonable overlap with existing INSS data. The HI was significantly exceeded (by agreement) to the west, where the JIBS project data now joins up with existing INFOMAR LiDAR data (Mulroy). The area between Inishowen head and Malin Head was completed first before surveying westwards towards Mulroy Bay.
Demobilisation took place in Killybegs on the 09th May.
Features identified include Limeburner Rock in water depths of c. 30m. This feature shoals to within 3 m of the sea surface.
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The MI submission was fully verified and accepted by the UKHO. Final Submissions/products Include:
- RoS / HForms / GIS Submitted
- Multibeam Bathymetric Data Set
- Backscatter / Seabed Texture Sheets / Samples
- Currents, Tides, Temperature, Salinity Measurements
- Updated Navigational Charts (UKHO)
- Integration Into INFOMAR/INSS Data Set
- Data Set Access Through a Dedicated Web Portal (GSF) https://jetstream.gsi.ie/jibs/index.html
The Project Plan
Work Package 1 – Identification of prioritised areas
This will be achieved in the first three months of the project, as an initial data gathering phase; drawing in suitable data from government institutes, research organizations, universities and other sources. The pertinent data will be assembled on an ArcGIS database and the selection of sites carried out in consultation with the key partners and by stakeholder consultation and questionnaire distribution. Selection will be based on a series of criteria, including, but not restricted to, areas requiring survey, areas identified as cSAC’s, areas of strategic national importance and areas of intense use, that require a marine spatial management plan. In design, this work package is intended to identify and prioritise the mapping requirements and provide costs for a survey
Work Package 2 – Scoping of the survey
The scope of work for the surveys will be designed on the findings of Work Package 1. The foundation data set provided by this project will be multibeam soundings and backscatter. The tools used to achieve the required level of accuracy will be investigated and costed. Tidal control, ancillary data collection and ground truthing techniques, suitable for the Priority Areas must be clearly identified. The data management tools and standards will be ascertained and identified within this work package. Similarly data processing tools will be selected. Work Package 2 will be delivered in the following manner:
Following successful identification of the Priority Areas identified by WP 1, a brief technical review of survey needs will be carried out in order to assess appropriate technology for carrying out inshore surveys.
Work Package 3 – The surveys
Work Package 3 will concentrate on the surveys themselves and the management of the vessels, including all timetabling, equipment provisions, personnel resourcing, communications and the day-to-day running of a survey. Comprehensive data quality control must be achieved whilst on the vessel and checks will be designed and executed by the project management representative on the vessels. A regular reporting structure will be established and the contents of a final operational report specified and agreed by the survey operator.
Work Package 4 – Data interpretation
The aim of this project is to produce seabed texture sheets for the surveyed area showing interpreted seabed types and marine landscape maps. Work Package 4 will concentrate on the management of the data interpretation phase of the project, defining the structure of the deliverables and ensuring resources are allocated to complete the interpretation within the specified timeframe. Biological and sediment sample analysis must also be incorporated in the final sheets.
Work Package 5 – Delivering the results
In addition to delivering sheet data, the project also aims to serve up multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data as “Generic Sensor Format” files on the world-wide web and to provide bathymetry data to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, enabling updating of nautical charts and publications in Northern Irish and Irish waters to improve safety for mariners. Work Package 5 will identify the best methods for delivering the data to the www and design and construct portals.
Work Package 6 – Publicity
An integral component of the overall project will be to develop an effective communication and dissemination strategy with relevant stakeholders, from both the habitat mapping practitioner community (research institutes, agencies and commercial/industrial sector) and the end-user community (managers, planners, policy makers).
Work Package 7 – Project management
Work Package 7 is tasked with the overall project management of the proposed project, relating to the effective running and day to day co-ordination of partner activities. The management team will provide the overall management for the project and act as the main link with the INTERREG secretariat.
