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Aurora has been sailing through frozen seas overnight chasing the good weather window to permit flying operations to be undertaken to exchange Mawson station leaders.
A muster drill was conducted at 10.25am local (Ship) time this morning to ensure all the new passengers were familiarised with the emergency muster procedures.
Sea-ice conditions prevented the ship from getting as close to Cape Darnley as initially hoped, stopping some 38 nautical miles away, but those same conditions (consolidated pack and many flat top bergs) enabled two of the ship's helicopters to depart the ship around 11.50am local (Ship) time this morning to make their way to the Cape across the now thickening sea ice and then along the coast to Mawson.
Aurora Australis is remaining in its present position until the helicopters return, which is expected to be around 4.30pm local (Ship) time.
Our fortune with the weather will mean we don't have to sail all the way to Mawson to perform the transfer, instead we hope to be sailing for Casey station once the helicopters and outgoing Mawson station leader have been tucked away in bed late this afternoon!
Cheers
Andy, Leanne and Mark
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.