News

NorthEast Lewis, Deployment of Acoustic Monitors 12-20 May 2025

Work is planned to deploy six sub-surface acoustic moorings in the coastal waters within the North-east Lewis Marine Protected Area (MPA) on behalf of NatureScot. The moorings will be left in the water for approximately 6 months until ~November 2025.

The vessel ALBA NA MARA will conduct the work between the dates of Monday 12th-Tuesday 20th May. A listening watch will be maintained on VHF Ch 12.

The ARCs are low profile (35cm height and <0.75m2) and consist of 3 x 11 inch floats fixed to a delrin plate that holds the acoustic receiver floating ~3m above anchor (~75kg chain links). The ARCs will be recovered and potentially re-deployed in the autumn 2025. There are no permanent mooring lines or surface markers associated with the ARC devices. The equipment are intermittently retrieved for servicing by triggering the release of a recovery line from ARC unit.

More details in the Notice to Mariners.