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After two days of waiting for a weather window to undertake the Sea-Ice science program, conditions cleared late yesterday morning and were near perfect for performing the hydro-acoustic measurements. The field party was deployed by helicopter onto the sea-ice at ranges of 1km, 2km, and 4.7km from the ship where they lowered an instrument at sequential depths through a hole in the ice. Back on the ship, the second half of the science team were monitoring and listening for communication from this instrument to the hydrophone that was deployed off the trawl deck; essentially testing at what range and depth these two instruments could 'talk' to one another. This is a pilot study to gain insight into how best to deploy and operate an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) beacon that is planned to be deployed next season to survey the under-side of the ice. On their way back to the ship, the helicopters did an ice reconnaissance surveying the ice conditions to assist with finding the best track in towards Davis station. We are currently skirting some consolidated first year pack-ice along a westerly route before turning southwards once more. All are well on board, and bets abound as to when we will arrive at Davis! Regards, Karin, Sharon & Adam
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.