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As the send button on yesterday's SITREP was pushed, we emerged out
of the pack ice into open water and have remained so for most of the last 24
hrs. That is until about 0600 this morning when the fog thickened, reducing
visibility to less than a mile, and we once again entered the pack. This has
reduced our speed a little as the bridge team navigate using the radar and
the mark 1 eyeball to plot their way through the increasing number of
growlers (pieces of glacial ice that can really ruin your day), bergy bits
and ice floes. The sounds of ice hitting the sides of the ship is constant
companion at the moment , but conditions are not really hindering our
passage. The sun is trying to burn through the fog, but due to the lack of
any significant wind and the low temperature the low viz looks like it will
be with us for a while.
After seeing two seals yesterday morning, that was it until this morning
when we were greeted by the site of a Crabeater and its pup taking a
breather on a floe. The bridge team also reported the sighting of a large
group of Adelie penguins perched on a bergy bit earlier in the watch. That's
the first sighting of penguins for the voyage. With regards to whales,
yesterday was officially the day of the Humpback, with multiple sightings
throughout. Lots of fluke slapping, but no real breach behaviour spotted. A
couple of times these majestic creatures graced us with an inquisitive 'fly
by' of the ship. The bird life has certainly picked up, with visits by Sooty
Albatrosses, Wilson Storm Petrels, Snow Petrels, Prions and Skuas. All in
all it was a good day for the budding Antarctic photographers aboard, really
getting to take their new toys out for a run.
With all the references to the CPR over the last couple of SITREPS, I
thought a little background information might be appropriate, so I asked
John, our trawl deck correspondent to provide us with some enlightenment on
this long running program:
As part of the Southern Ocean - Continuous Plankton Recorder (SO-CPR)
program, zooplankton samples have been intensively collected on most Aurora
Australis voyages to the Antarctic continent and back since 1991, including
this 2009/2010 season. Zooplankton are sensitive to environmental parameters
such as temperature, movement of currents and water quality. Due to their
sensitivity, short life spans and fast growth rates plankton populations
respond rapidly to environmental change, and consequently make excellent
biological indicators. Monitoring of zooplankton populations and communities
is therefore an important tool in identifying the effects of both climate
change and pollution on the Southern Ocean. Zooplankton are also the
principal dietary components of many higher vertebrates, including penguins,
seals and sea-birds. Therefore, changes in zooplankton distribution and
abundance in the Southern Ocean are expected to have a significant effect on
higher trophic levels. By employing a Continuous Plankton Recorder, or CPR,
surface or near-surface zooplankton can be collected at normal ship speed
during a voyage. The unit is usually towed about 100 metres astern of the
ship for approximately 450 nautical miles at a time. By splicing consecutive
tows together one is able to produce an un-interrupted transect across the
ocean, providing information on zooplankton distribution patterns, community
structure, and abundance levels.
As those that have had the pleasure of venturing above the 60th line of
latitude, by sea of course, one must pay homage to the ruler of these
waters, King Neptune. All first timers are required to bow down and hail the
majestic, benevolent, but a little green emperor of the Southern Ocean. So
it came to pass yesterday afternoon, when we had the pleasure of hosting his
most gracious majesty aboard our humble vessel. Accompanying his fishyness
was a pose of denizens of the deep, who looked like they belonged on an
episode of the Muppet show, but I digress. All aboard gathered to pay
homage, as is required in these parts, but the special treatment was
reserved for those amongst us visiting these parts for the first time. They
had the pleasure of getting up close and personal with his majesty and his
entourage. The right of passage through these waters was granted for the
costly price of a kiss of the royal foot and a close encounter with a herring
(somebody forgot to order the full trout) Once the newcomers were all given the royal blessing His Majesty left us to
clean up the mess.
In order to truly celebrate such an auspicious occasion a BBQ on the trawl
deck was held. The crew flashed up the two BBQ and
some of the watercraft operators joined in to cook the hamburgers. A great
time was had by all, and it was good to see everyone up and about enjoying
themselves as we transited across calm seas enjoying the sights of passing
icebergs and the inquisitive approach of petrels and other birds.
After the BBQ, Owen gave a presentation on his recent adventures in the
Kimberly, which was well attended. Owen is this year's ANARE club
representative. The AAD grants a berth to the ANARE Club to send one of
their long term members South each year. Owen is a past participant in the
Antarctic program and has been sharing a number of stories with us about his
past voyages and experiences in Antarctica.
I seem to have created a dessert arms race by accident, with my comments
about the Banana and Caramel Self Saucing pudding beating out the Sticky
Date Pudding. Kyle was a little upset that he no longer holds the title of
AA Ice Chef, and has promised to regain his position as Master. So it looks
like the the challenge has been thrown down, can the Master best the
Apprentice? Standby for further updates. I know I will be working a little
harder in the gym, and maybe cutting back to one fruit bun a day in
anticipation.
Regards
Rob, Simon and George.
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.