The objective of this project is the investigation of the structure and functioning of different CWC successional habitats (living, dead and buried corals), in order to understand the response of the CWC to a changing ocean. Therefore, we identified 4 specific objectives which will allow us to get insight in the distribution of these CWC habitats (objective 1), the responsible environmental drivers (objective 2), the associated (molecular and morphological) biodiversity (objective 3) and the connectivity between distinct CWC habitats at different spatial scales (objective 4). We will concentrate our study on the Bay of Biscay by providing multiple-scale analysis of habitat mapping, environmental characterisation, biodiversity patterns and processes of interconnectivity. However, comparisons will be made through European-US collaboration with other regions at both sides of the Atlantic in order to understand amphi- and trans-Atlantic distribution patterns and processes. This project is part of the 7th EC Framework Programme Hermione (Hotspot Ecosystem Research and Man's Impact On European Seas) (2011-2013).This monitoring project aims to execute a continuous research on the effects of the exploitation of non-living resources of the territorial sea and the continental shelf on the sedimentary movements and the marine environment (Law of 13 June 1969 on the exploration and exploitation of non-living resources of the territorial sea and the continental shelf). Belgian national research program.

There were five main objectives for the trials cruise: The first tests of the Autosub Long Range AUV, testing of the HyBIS video guided grab system, testing of the MYRTLE-X Lander systems, testing of a deep camera system for the Lake Ellsworth probe and test deployments of the PELAGRA neutrally buoyant sediment capture drifters. The working area was about 300 miles south west of the Canary Islands, in international waters, over benthic plains of 4000 m depth, with some tests of the video systems over a isolated sea mount rising to 1200 m depth. Most of the objectives of the cruise where met, with successful diving and control of the Autosub LR, tests of the HyBIS and Ellsworth camera systems, and 3 test deployments and recoveries of two PELAGRA floats. Several wire tests of MYRTLE-X systems were carried out, predominantly successful, but concerns over the release system prevented a deployment of the lander. The tests were all purely engineering, hence no science data were collected.

CTD stations on 20W line from 50N to 20N, following the old WOCE line A16N Physical measurements (CTDO and LADCP) and discrete samples for salt, oxygen, inorganic nutrients and alkalinity/inorganic carbon Underway ADCP, surface ocean measurements, surface meteorology measurements. Contribution to GO-SHIP sustained hydrography program. Partial repeat of a hydrographic line last occupied in 2003.

The cruise is a component of RAPID-WATCH, whose objectives are: to deliver a decade-long time series of calibrated and quality-controlled measurements of the Atlantic MOC from the RAPID-WATCH array and; to exploit the data from the RAPID-WATCH array and elsewhere to determine and interpret recent changes in the Atlantic MOC, assess the risk of rapid climate change, and investigate the potential for predictions of the MOC and its impacts on climate. Objectives of this cruise: to recover, calibrate and redeploy moorings from the eastern boundary and mid-Atlantic ridge subarrays of the 26.5N line of RAPID moorings.

Charter cruise with the objective of validating the performance of SERCEL equipment, i.e. evaluation of different seismic devices and validating this equipment.

The purpose of the cruise was the refurbishment of an array of moorings on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and off the Moroccan Coast at nominal latitude of 26.5°N. The moorings are part of an Atlantic-wide mooring array for monitoring the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and Heat Flux. The array is a joint UK/US programme and is known as the RAPID-WATCH/MOCHA array. The RAPID transatlantic array consists of 24 moorings of which 21 are maintained by the UK, and 20 bottom landers of which 16 are maintained by the UK. The moorings are primarily instrumented with self logging instruments measuring conductivity, temperature and pressure. Direct measurements of currents are made in the shallow and deep western boundary currents. The bottom landers are instrumented with bottom pressure recorders (also known as tide gauges), measuring the weight of water above the instrument. A sediment trap mooring NOGST was also recovered and redeployed for the Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems Group at the NOCS. CTD stations were conducted at convenient times throughout the cruise for purposes of providing pre and post deployment calibrations for mooring instrumentation and for testing mooring releases prior to deployment. Shipboard underway measurements were systematically logged, processed and calibrated, including: waves (spectra of energy and significant wave height), surface meteorology (air pressure, temperature, wind speed and direction and radiation (total incident and photosynthetically active), 6m depth sea temperatures and salinities, water depth, navigation (differential GPS measurements feeding two independent and different receivers, heading, pitch and roll from a four antenna Ashtec ADU5 receiver, gyro heading and ships speed relative to the water using an electromagnetic log). Water velocity profiles from 15m to approximately 500m depth were obtained using a ship mounted 75 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler. Seawater samples from CTD stations and of the sea-surface were obtained for calibration and analysed on a salinometer referencing these samples against standard sea water. For velocity data (wind and currents) measured relative to the ship considerable effort was made to obtain the best possible earth-referenced velocities. Four APEX Argo floats supplied by the Met Office were deployed at pre-assigned locations, filling gaps in the network.