Information

Report (sitrep) ID:
18567
Universal time (UTC):
06:00
Australian time (AEST):
17:00
Position:
64° 44′ S, 81° 57′ E
Heading:
Course varying to ice
Speed:
4.0 kn
Distance in last 24 hours:
87 NM
Weather conditions:
8/8 cloud cover, W’ly winds 22 knots
Air temperature:
−3 °C
Sea conditions:
Nil
Sea temperature:
−1.8 °C

Comments

We made good progress through various leads today, after a difficult morning breaking through a thick band of ice. The anticipation of reaching Davis is palpable as everyone is keen to arrive and commence their work programs. There is, after all, only so much movie-watching, card-playing, coffee-drinking and eating one can do! Mind you, one can’t complain about the scenery. Today, a few seals put on a show enjoying a dip in and out of a pool in front of the ship while we were parked up for an ice recce, and a group of Adelie penguins, probably the largest number in a single sighting thus far, were seen making their merry way along an adjacent ice-floe. On the Bridge, there was also an exciting re-discovery of ‘Pingvin Island’ – an island off the West Ice shelf that has been labelled ‘E.D. – existence doubtful’ on the marine chart. Today this island was visible on both the radar and microwave sea-ice imagery. It is hoped this might be backed by a visual sighting as we edge closer south.
REGARDS: Karin, Sharon & Lance

Map

180° 170°W 160°W 150°W 140°W 130°W 120°W 110°W 100°W 90°W 80°W 70°W 60°W 50°W 40°W 30°W 20°W 10°W 30°E 40°E 50°E 60°E 70°E 80°E 90°E 100°E 110°E 120°E 130°E 140°E 150°E 160°E 170°E 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0°N 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N Casey Davis Mawson Macquarie Island Heard Island Fremantle Hobart

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.

on