Seismic Crews Double as Good Samaritans Offshore

Pictured is a Black-Legged Kittiwake which had become entangled with fishing gear. It was rescued onboard the Atlantic Explorer, a vessel acquiring seismic data over the Southeast Grand Banks area in Eastern Canada. See below for more images shared by TGS of birds rescued or given shelter by crews on seismic vessels offshore.
IAGC Member Vessel Aids Imperiled Olive Ridley Sea Turtle off Gambia Coast
Last September, IAGC member company vessel Polarcus Alima successfully rescued and saved the life of an Olive Ridley sea Turtle, caught in a fishing net. Conducting an operation offshore Gambia, the chase vessel, De Vrouwe Marie crew observed fishing gear in the survey area and quickly rushed to the scene. Upon closer inspection, the crew discovered a sea turtle that was caught in the net and gasping for air.
The crew of the De Vrouwe carefully lifted the Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea) and the net out of the water. Unfortunately, the net had damaged the sea turtle's carapace, and it was impossible for it to untangle itself. The Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) on board the Polarcus Alima informed the master on the De Vrouwe Marie that the nets must be carefully removed or the turtle could die. The crew successfully untangled the sea turtle and released it back into the water. Once untangled from the fishing net, the sea turtle with a few strokes swam away and then gently disappeared in the vast ocean!
Congratulations and thank you to the crew of the Alima and De Vrouwe for a successful rescue mission!
Chase vessels are a part of the seismic vessel support fleet. Support vessels are used to help protect the in-sea equipment and communicate with commercial shipping, fishing vessels etc., transport fuel, provisions and spare parts and to take refuse back to shore and scout ahead of the seismic vessel.
IAGC’s members practice environmental stewardship and take a great deal of care and consideration of the marine environment. For more than 40 years, the industry has demonstrated its ability to operate seismic exploration activities in a manner that protects marine life.
Last September, IAGC member company vessel Polarcus Alima successfully rescued and saved the life of an Olive Ridley sea Turtle, caught in a fishing net. Conducting an operation offshore Gambia, the chase vessel, De Vrouwe Marie crew observed fishing gear in the survey area and quickly rushed to the scene. Upon closer inspection, the crew discovered a sea turtle that was caught in the net and gasping for air.
The crew of the De Vrouwe carefully lifted the Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea) and the net out of the water. Unfortunately, the net had damaged the sea turtle's carapace, and it was impossible for it to untangle itself. The Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) on board the Polarcus Alima informed the master on the De Vrouwe Marie that the nets must be carefully removed or the turtle could die. The crew successfully untangled the sea turtle and released it back into the water. Once untangled from the fishing net, the sea turtle with a few strokes swam away and then gently disappeared in the vast ocean!
Congratulations and thank you to the crew of the Alima and De Vrouwe for a successful rescue mission!
Chase vessels are a part of the seismic vessel support fleet. Support vessels are used to help protect the in-sea equipment and communicate with commercial shipping, fishing vessels etc., transport fuel, provisions and spare parts and to take refuse back to shore and scout ahead of the seismic vessel.
IAGC’s members practice environmental stewardship and take a great deal of care and consideration of the marine environment. For more than 40 years, the industry has demonstrated its ability to operate seismic exploration activities in a manner that protects marine life.
Crew from seismic vessels with TGS, CGG and others offer respite and care to storm-battered birds
Tiny Blue BirdTropical blue bird that landed on the Northern Explorer, in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. The crew gave the bird a bit of water, and it eventually flew away.
Click HERE for the full PowerPoint Presentation shared by TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company. Materials and images belong to TGS-NOPEC.
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Weary PeregrinePeregrine Falcon Juvenile resting on the bow of the Atlantic Explorer. The vessel was acquiring seismic data off the coast of Eastern Canada.
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Resting OwlOwl that landed on the CGG Alize, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The owl spent a few days onboard the vessel and then eventually flew away. During its stay, the crew fed the owl scraps of meat and provided water.
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