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The Aurora Australis is currently making very good speed, lolling with the gentle roll of a westerly swell. The last 36 hours of unusually calm weather found their explanation in the low barometer readings: we were transiting at the exact centre of a low pressure system, which bares minimal wind, or no wind at all. We are hoping to get a few more hours of this, moving along in a North Easterly direction with the low until it overtakes us and the winds pick up again.
As the first signs of the wind coming back, a couple of light mantled sooty albatrosses, and a wandering albatross were spotted this morning, along with a Wilson’s storm petrel fluttering in front of the bow. Most Southern Ocean seabirds need winds to travel efficiently, and therefore the highest concentrations of birds are seen in front or behind weather systems where the wind speeds are most adequate.
The good weather gives everyone the opportunity to get a good rest and some have already started cleaning their cabins in anticipation for our arrival in Hobart. While discussions at the mess tables focus on the day and time of arrival, and all voyage projects seem completed, there are still a number of regular jobs to be done: Rob continues cleaning the light sensors every day on the monkey island; meteorologists send 3 hourly observations, which feed into the forecast models and the crew works on the many routine maintenance tasks that a large ship demands. Preparations for the next voyage are already underway.
Dessert of the Day: Paul’s 50th Birthday cake yesterday
Sight of the Day: possibly the last iceberg?
REGARDS: Fred and Kerry
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.