An European funded project to survey the seabed off the northern coast of Ireland, parts of which have not been surveyed since Victorian times, has started to provide some spectacular results.

The survey shows underwater cliffs, reefs, caves and what may have been a lagoon.

Survey operations started in November last year and vessels using modern multi-beam echo sounding technology have been surveying a three nautical mile coastal strip westward from Country Antrim, around Rathlin Island to Inishtrahull Island off Donegal.

Those results have now been collated into a graphical display.

The data gained will be used to provide more accurate navigational charts and to study the topography of the sea floor. 

Some areas of the Irish coast have not been surveyed since Victorian lead line soundings were taken or even earlier.

The Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey (JIBS) Project is being led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in partnership with the Marine Institute of Ireland.

This £2.1m joint venture is being entirely funded by the EU from their INTERREG Programme, which is co-ordinated by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

The multibeam bathymetry and backscatter survey data will also be made available on the web later this year for the benefit of all users of this maritime area.

The results will contribute towards increased safety for commercial and recreational sailors and fishermen and an enhanced knowledge of the biological, geological and archaeological features of this underwater area.

For more information and a fly through movie please view the external link at the right hand panel of this page.