Information

Report (sitrep) ID:
17711
Universal time (UTC):
04:30
Australian time (AEST):
15:30
Position:
57° 11′ S, 125° 27′ E
Heading:
42 degrees
Speed:
13.0 kn
Distance in last 24 hours:
294 NM
Weather conditions:
22 knot NE wind, overcast, fog.
Air temperature:
3.5 °C
Sea conditions:
Moderate sea and a moderate (3m) swell.
Sea temperature:
2.7 °C

Comments

Yesterday we passed out of Antarctic waters when we crossed the sixty south latitude and in the next 24 hours we should cross the Antarctic convergence where cold polar currents meet warmer waters. While these milestones show good northward progress we are also entering the latitudes nominated by the large low pressure systems that give the southern ocean its reputation. The synoptic chart shows at least two that will influence us and the winds and swell are increasing while the barometric pressure is dropping. In this day and age it seems unusual that the speed of our passage is regulated by forces out of our control. Last night we enjoyed a presentation from some winterers who had devoted some of their spare time to creative pursuits. We heard about people building beds and kayaks and saw smaller items made to be gifts, all with the unique label, made in Antarctica.

Map

180° 170°W 160°W 150°W 140°W 130°W 120°W 110°W 100°W 90°W 80°W 70°W 60°W 50°W 40°W 30°W 20°W 10°W 30°E 40°E 50°E 60°E 70°E 80°E 90°E 100°E 110°E 120°E 130°E 140°E 150°E 160°E 170°E 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0°N 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N Casey Davis Mawson Macquarie Island Heard Island Fremantle Hobart

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.

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