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On passage conducting marine science. Clocks were advanced overnight and the Ship time is now on UTC+11, which is the same as Hobart. At this moment we are experiencing some uncomfortable weather as we try to head northwards with a wind, sea and swell on the port beam. This is resulting in the ship rolling heavily and causing a few unsecured items to hit the deck. Visibility is reduced to around 1nm due to fog and blowing snow. Despite the conditions the ship is making good progress as we aim for CTD Station 8. This morning we commenced our first Conductivity, Depth and Temperature (CTD) rosette cast in proximity to 62S 150E (CTD Station 7) at around 0830. The CTD went down to a depth of 3500m in an overall water depth of 3600m. The real action happens on the way up were the 24 Niskin bottles, which are arranged around the outside of the rosette by Tascha, one of our science support team, are fired at different depths to collect water column samples. Sascha, another science support team member, has the job of firing each of the bottles on the way up. These are fired at pressure equivalent depths of 3500, 3000, 2500, 2000, 1500, 1250, 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 150, 125, 100, 75, 50, 30, 20 and 10m. As you can see that is a lot of shooting. Once the CTD is hauled back aboard, the samples contained in the bottles are handed over to the scientists aboard for initial testing and packaging for future analysis. An array of other instruments onboard the CTD sends real-time data to the ships data logging system for future reference as well. Once the CTD was complete a series of net samplings were undertaken. The total time on station was around four hours to complete the full range of sampling. Yesterday, as per Japanese Valentines Day tradition, it was up to the ladies aboard to provide the menfolk with the chocolate! The blokes aboard received a Ferro Roche chocolate, annotated with Japanese text. Apparently the tradition follows that the males are required to reciprocate the favour in a months time with either apparel or white chocolate. Western traditions were also followed, with the Catering Team once again rising to the occasion and providing individually wrapped gastronomical gifts for each of the ladies aboard. Thanks to Margaret, Tascha and the Caterers for putting the effort in. On the wildlife front, again the sightings have been few and far between, especially due to the low visibility and the rolling ship. The only thing really to report is the appearance of a solitary Antarctic Prion and a White Chinned Petrel. Even the Antarctic Mutton Birds have deserted us! Looks like a quite 24 hours ahead as must people try to keep from falling over as they try to move around the ship due to the beam seas. All aboard doing well and happy with this mornings activities. Regards Rob, Aaron and Mick.
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.