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It took us all day yesterday to finalise the cargo and be ready for sea. The deck crew were at it from eight in the morning until after eight in the evening. Once all the cargo was on there was then the various barges and boats to be craned on and secured. The 28 ton fuel barge was amongst the last to be lifted on and proved to be quite a challenge to position. A definite list can be felt when the crane hauls its weight out of the water. Just as the anchor was being raised two snow petrels appeared as if they knew we were leaving. With a blast on the horn we were off. The petrels brought with them a sudden thick snow shower which added atmosphere to the occasion. As we left we could see the remaining Casey expeditioners silhouetted on a hilltop waving us goodbye. Maybe it was because we had been at anchor for a week but the passage out of Casey seemed to be one of the most spectacular of the voyage so far. The snowstorm lifted and the sea was dead calm. Icebergs the size of the Sydney Opera House were dotted either side of our path and the pink sky of the sunset was superb. The scene defied photography. This morning we are in open ocean and apart from occasional bergs there is no ice to be seen. The once familiar pitch and roll of the ship now seems foreign as we get used to open ocean again. This afternoon we aim to deploy the continuous plankton recorder which will be towed behind the ship.
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.