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We departed Hobart Macquarie Wharf No. 4 at 1000 yesterday in perfect conditions. This certainly was no every day departure as we were fortunate to be part of the Antarctic Centenary celebrations by leading the flotilla down the Derwent River to celebrate the actual departure of the AAE voyage (Australasian Antarctic Expedition) from Hobart. It was truly a spectacular event and the weather could not have been more awesome if you could order it. There were smiles in every direction you looked as everyone enjoyed everything going on around them both on the water, on the land and in the air. Once the flotilla had ended we completed all our pre-departure briefings, musters, inductions and commenced our journey to Casey. It wasn’t long after leaving the Derwent we could feel the roll of the ship start to increase, sure sign heading into the Southern Ocean. Departure is always an emotional time, as it is the start of a very exciting adventure but at the same time it is sad as you are heading away and leaving friends and loved ones for anywhere up to 18months. The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) was deployed this morning and will continue to be towed behind the ship until we reach the ice. CPRs have been towed behind ships for over 70 years throughout the world as part of a long term monitoring study of planktonic community patterns. We will retrieve this CPR in 450nm time and deploy another. This process will continue until we reach the ice edge. REGARDS: Sharon, Fred and Jill
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.