Exploring the Complex Task of Charting Ireland's Underwater Terrain

Exploring the complexities of underwater cartography, geologist and hydrographer Eoin Mac Craith shares insights into his vital role in an ambitious project set to redefine our understanding of Ireland's coastal seabed. The collaboration between the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute is now approaching its conclusive stages, with the INFOMAR team steadily unearthing detailed seafloor charts since August to showcase their remarkable progress.

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A diverse group of marine science experts are propelling this initiative forward. Senior geologist and hydrographer Eoin Mac Craith, who boasts over a decade's commitment to INFOMAR, stands among these dedicated professionals.

Possessing a BSc in geology and an MSc in oceanography, Mac Craith cut his teeth with a UK-based seabed survey company, taking on diverse roles that stretched from a metocean engineer in Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea to carrying out marine geophysics in the United Arab Emirates. These experiences enriched his industry knowledge before his return to Ireland, where he lent his expertise to the Geological Survey of Ireland, transitioning from offshore survey work to a more managerial post.

Inside Eoin's Ocean Mapping Mission

Eoin dedicates his efforts mainly to the INFOMAR programme, with the goal to chart every square inch of Ireland's shelf and inshore seabed by 2026. As innovative marine survey technologies surface, the programme reaps the benefits, acquiring ever-more precise seabed imagery.

From spring to fall, his backstage role orchestrates offshore endeavours: assigning staff, strategizing surveys, maneuvering logistics, and sifting through daily progress reports.

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'We need to make use of the sea to survive – for food, renewable energy and as a vital component of our climate – but we also need to do that responsibly'

Amid fluctuating weather forecasts and the continuous ballet of repairs and navigational assessments lies their daily hurdle. When winter whispers in, the vessels seek harbor, initiating a season of data analysis and public dissemination in the form of comprehensive chart products—gratis.

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The Significance of Sea Floor Surveys ️

As burgeoning seabed activities crescendo, intricate mapping becomes indispensable. "We need to make use of the sea to survive—for food, renewable energy and as a vital component of our climate—but we also need to do that responsibly." The fusion of depth, sediment categorization, and habitat distribution into precise seabed maps is thus necessary, a leap from the 19th-century mappings to modern acoustic technology-driven discoveries that consistently underscore navigational hazards formerly undetected, thus bolstering maritime safety.

What Drives a Seabed Cartographer?

Gazing upon the ocean, young Eoin's curiosity painted visions of underwater landscapes, yearning to unveil the mysteries lying beneath the waves. Schoolbooks teased his imagination with depictions of submarine valleys and ridges, propelling him towards his career in marine geology.

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Debunking Deep Water Conundrums ⚓

Contrary to common belief, shallower waters present greater challenges in surveying than their abyssal counterparts. The logic is akin to using a torch—sonars, much closer to the seabed in shallow stretches, trace a smaller footprint, necessitating repeated ship paths to cover an area comprehensively. Hence, while the Irish National Seabed Survey, addressing the deep, wrapped up in 6 years, INFOMAR's shallower focus spans a 20-year timeline.

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