Information
Comments
Our voyage under dark grey skies and through a thick blanket of
fog continues. The sun is trying its best to get through but the low
cloud is stopping it dead in its tracks. The prevailing conditions are
keeping visitor numbers to the bridge low, as there is nothing much to
see beyond the bow of the ship. We passed our first berg in about 24
hours this morning at 0630 at around latitude 55 degrees south, a very
rare sight now as both the sea and air temperature are on the rise - A
balmy 6.2 deg C at the moment.
We continue to make steady progress, with the ship making a solid 12.5
knots despite the beam sea and wind. We should speed up a bit later in
the day when the low pressure system we are currently dealing with moves
further to the east and south and we get into a more westerly air flow.
At this stage, barring any encounters with bad weather, we should be
back in Hobart by Sunday. The Engineering team has been doing a cracking
job keeping the ship's two engines performing exceptionally well over
the past four weeks. No mean feat when you consider that this ship will
celebrate its 20th birthday in April. As a birthday present, at the
conclusion of Voyage 4, the Aurora will be off to dry dock where she
will be high and dry on the chocks for some much needed TLC, including a
major 'grease and oil change' and a new lick of paint - sort of like a
100,000 km car service times by 1000 in size and cost.
On the marine science front, projectiles have been shot of this ship
left, right and centre as we imitate that sub hunting scene from the
'Hunt for Red October'. Despite the plankton performing 'Crazy Ivan'
manoeuvres to avoid the CPR, it was to no avail as the CPR team brought
their weapon home again last night with a treasure trove of euphausiid
larvae, amphipods, phytoplankton plus one large Tomopteris carpenteri
midway along the mesh. John, CPR Commander, has offered a Sticky fruit
bun to whoever knows what the latter is! John also reported that the
team was a bit disappointed in their changeover time recorded last
night, a six minute turn around! No need to fear lads, you only lose
fruit bun rights when this happens two times in a row, we have standards
to maintain! The Argo team have also been bombing the ocean with floats
last night at 2000 and this morning at 0400, making for a solid session
on the trawl deck.
Absolutely nothing to report on the wildlife front, due to the simple
fact that we can't see anything!
The D Deck rec space is also taking a pounding with almost 24 hour a day
movies, presentations and TV series viewing. The Marine Science team
reported that there was a movie going at 0200 this morning as they were
setting up for the Argo float deployment! With the limited number of
people being sighted during the daylight hours the ship seems to have
moved to a more nocturnal routine. Vampire concerns aside, this is a
pretty common occurrence on the last leg of an ANARE voyages as home
grows closer. Despite the absence of any great numbers of 'day walkers'
the fruit buns still all disappear by dinner time....
Ken's Black Forrest Self Saucing pudding was really good last night, and
the judging panel was impressed but not willing to dethrone Kate's
Chocolate, Pecan Nut and Raspberry Torte from the top spot. Ken will
have to pull something special out of the flour bag over the last few
remaining days to avoid this becoming his Khe Sanh. The big question is,
does Kyle, ably assisted by his henchperson Kate, have something in the
mixer to make their victory complete and deal Ken the spatula thrust?
All aboard enjoying the Jaffas and popcorn in the theatre.
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.