The vessel, named 'Salar', was officially handed over by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir during a visit to Ballyronan Marina. The transfer is part of the department's review of how its assets can be best utilized to address environmental challenges.
Minister Muir emphasised the importance of this new research platform in achieving a healthy and resilient environment with high water quality standards. He expressed his commitment to collaborating with researchers to find solutions to the blue-green algae crisis.
Minister Muir said: "My Department has reviewed how its vessels can be best utilised, and the transfer of this asset represents both value to the public purse as well as my commitment to address the blue green algae crisis in our waterways.
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"Through collaboration and dedicated research, this new research platform will help deliver my vision to have a healthy, resilient environment with high water quality status and environment standards thereby contributing to the health and wellbeing of our citizens."
Pieter-Jan Schön, Director of Environment and Marine Science at AFBI said: "AFBI is delighted to accept the transfer of operational control of the Research Vessel Salar from the Department. The sharing of resources demonstrates the strong joined up approach within the public sector to better support the recovery of the Lough ecosystem."
AFBI scientists will use this vessel as a platform to further understand the interactions between nutrients in sediment and water column, the ecological function and status of the lough, the influence of biological elements such as zebra mussels and of course the cyanobacteria and planktonic community itself.
The vessel will provide the platform capable of delivering the required science programmes. This is new capacity, providing capability not currently accessible in the lough, which enables AFBI to develop the science programme and build on the 50-year water quality monitoring programme.
The vessel is a flexible, adaptable and value for money solution to perform essential research on the biological and environmental processes which influence water quality and the ecological integrity in Lough Neagh.
The 21-year-old vessel underwent inspections, repairs and sea trials between April and August 2024 to satisfy AFBI of the seaworthiness and suitability of the boat for its research purposes. These were satisfactorily completed.
