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Plan “A” worked! After many hours of hard graft, we finally nudged our way into looser pack ice, and progress became easier and easier. Eventually the ice was the least of our concerns (sunburn was the new nemesis) as we powered along at 8 knots, and detected the first signs of ocean swell in the opening pack ice. At about 2100 hours we did a celebratory victory lap around a spectacular peaked iceberg in beautiful evening light, all hands on deck, cameras blazing away. And if that wasn’t enough for us, a CASA-212 from Casey added to the spectacle by doing a fly past of the ship at the same time.
Our last job for the evening, as we departed from the track into and out of the Casey area, was to deploy a passive acoustic whale mooring, which will be retrieved after a year’s eavesdropping on any passing cetaceans.
Last night we made excellent time tracking west to Bruce Rise. We are currently toying with the ice edge, attempting to better define the bathymetry of the area, which is poorly known. Target areas will then be selected for trawling. Our marine biologists are all getting a bit twitchy with anticipation. In true Australian fashion, betting has commenced on when the first trawl with its treasure of deep sea goodies will make it onto the trawl deck.
Regards, Doug, Aaron & Margaret
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.