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The last full day at sea dawned with a stunning sunrise and
calm seas once again. We have certainly been spoiled over the last three
days with fair winds and a following sea making for a very pleasant run
home. Many aboard are taking the chance to grab some gammas on the back
deck, with the SPF30+ applied of course. The calm conditions has allowed
the ship to continue to make good speed and our arrival time of 0700
tomorrow alongside Macquarie No 3 Wharf is confirmed.
Today we also had the 'bonus' of another Emergency Muster Drill to add
to today's list of highlights. While we took the time out to shoot the
breeze and renewed acquaintances with people who we had not seen since
the last muster a week ago, the crew undertook a fire drill and fought a
make believe blaze in the tween deck hold. There were a few bleary eyes
as some amongst us are still nights stalkers and haven't seen the sun in
a while. Hopefully getting them out of the rack will allow them to get
their body clocks back into alignment prior to our arrival tomorrow morning.
This will be the last SITREP of Voyage 3 and I would like to take the
opportunity to thank some people who made the last four weeks and six
days go so well. Firstly to Captain Murray, Chief Mate Robbie (put down
that rocket!), 2nd Mate Michael and Third Mate James thanks for getting
us there and back safely and so efficiently and only using 25 kilo bags
of plunger coffee. To the Engineering team of Paul, Don, Andy, Wayne and
Alan thanks for keeping the coal up to the boilers and the green steam
flowing through the wires all between episodes of 'Dexter' Series 1,2
and 3. To the Deck crew of Joe, Matt, Jeromy,Rose, Ben, Dale, Murray and
Matt a big thanks for all your efforts in keeping the boxes and bits
moving in some pretty ordinary conditions, during cargo oeprations and I
hope you enjoyed the snakes, jubes and red frogs. Last but certainly not
least, the Catering crew of Kate, Sue, Kyle and Ken for looking after
all of us so well over the voyage, too well as my expanded girth can
attest to.
I also have to mention the tremendous job done by the Voyage Support
team. Firstly to our merry band of Watercraft Operators, thanks to Dave
M, Dave P, Kenny, Peter, Zane, Colin and led from the front by Fred
(these guys never stopped during our visit to Davis and Mawson, being
the first to start and the last to finish). Big thanks to the Docs,
James and Anne for keeping the panadol, avomine and phernergon flowing
for those of us bearing the brunt of sea sickness and other ailments.
Thanks to Matt for keeping the 1's and 0's flowing between us and the
outside world. Who could forget the valiant and untiring efforts of the
Marine Science team of Argo Aaron, solidly supported by Simon and
George, and Commander Krill himself John, for all of their efforts over
the last two weeks in achieving some great outcomes in support of
Antarctic and Southern Ocean science, thanks! A big Cheer from the krill
in First Class as well!
A big thanks to the rest of the Voyage Management team of DVL Simon
(Cargo Jedi Knight) and Voyage Management Trainee George (Jedi
apprentice) for all of your support and assistance, you have made my job
very easy indeed. I would offer everyone a fruit bun but alas there is
none! Speaking of buns, a gigantic thanks to Jeremy for producing the
best Fruit Buns of the voyage, pity they ran out!
Last but not least, thanks to all the Expeditioners who travelled with
us over the course of this voyage, thanks for being a great bunch and a
pleasure to sail with.
Last night was the last chance for any type of retaliatory strike to
occur in the Dessert War. There was much anticipation about what Ken
would roll out on to the launch pad in a last ditch attempt to stop the
advance of the Axis forces. It was with great trepidation that the
judging panel approached the servery. The master was definitely at work
with an intercontinental ballistic missile of a trifle. As though
presentation wasn't enough Ken was tempting fate by referring to this
WMD as an 'Assassination Trifle', surely a sign of a someone desperate
enough to lay all their cards on the table! This ICBM had multiple
reentry vehicle warheads of marinated sponge, fruit, cream and a custard
so dense it wouldn't be out of place in a vanilla slice. A sensational
effort from the Kenster and very well appreciated by the Judging Panel.
It was so well appreciated that after much deliberation, debate, verbal
abuse and physical violence the Judges could not separate this and
Kate's Torte for the award of top dessert. As most wars are not won in
one battle and for sheer consistency, originality, presentation, rounds
on target and a great rice pudding the Judging panel has given the gong
to Ken as the victor. Congratulations Ken and for winning the war you
get to be the Chief Cook on Voyage 4 and do it all again!
All aboard counting down the hours, minutes and seconds till 0700 tomorrow.
See you next time and thanks for reading!!
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.