Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I seek access to any records held by Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) from 1 January 2018 to the present that relate to Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) or unexplained submerged features detected during marine surveys or geophysical work. To facilitate the practical processing of this request, I have outlined below the specific datasets, record types, and search filters relevant to this subject. 1. INFOMAR and INSS Marine Survey Records Materials to be searched: • Sidescan sonar and multibeam echosounder data • Sub-bottom profiler logs and anomaly annotations • Marine survey metadata and anomaly registers • Survey interpretation reports or seabed feature logs • GIS-linked seabed feature databases Suggested search terms: • “unidentified submerged object” or “USO” • “unexplained sonar return” • “submerged structure – unknown” • “feature with no geological classification” • “anomaly – not mapped wreck” • “non-geological seabed contact” • “object inconsistent with geology or geomorphology” 2. Anomaly Reports and Feature Classifications Materials to be searched: • Catalogues of marine features and anomalies • Reports classifying seabed structures or features as unknown or “unclassified” • Any correspondence with the Marine Institute about unexplained or unlisted seabed contacts Suggested search terms: • “submerged contact unidentified” • “object – no match to charted wrecks” • “unclassified bathymetric return” • “metallic or reflective sonar anomaly” • “structure not matching known geology” 3. Internal or Interagency Correspondence Materials to be searched: • Internal emails or memos regarding unusual sonar or marine geophysical findings • Communications with Defence Forces, Marine Institute, or Met Éireann referring to unexplained underwater objects or anomalies detected during state-led marine surveys Suggested search terms: • “USO” • “unidentified sonar contact” • “object tracked underwater” • “contact of unknown origin” • “Defence Forces inquiry – seabed anomaly”