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Anchored in Buckles Bay. After a very busy trip down filled with briefings and preparations the ship arrived on schedule at Macquarie Island at 0700 this morning.
Station leader Trish MacDonald came to the ship by IRB and briefed all expeditioners and then met with the VL to confirm operations, before commencing ship to shore transfers.
The swell is negligible and weather has been variable but we have achieved a great start so far.
The ingoing winter station team is ashore, as are a number of round trip personnel to commence programs. Some round trip personnel will return for the night shortly as will 11 personnel from station. Some personnel have patiently stayed aboard ship assisting with operations while awaiting their chance to go ashore.
Inflatable rubber boats (IRB) made rapid progress getting people ashore to undertake station inductions and commence work. Some people have also started walking out to field huts.
The 3 helicopters have been transferred ashore and have done sling load work in both directions before lunch and currently.
The Larc amphibious craft was unloaded from ship and a second from shore, and some cargo work is underway, notably 2 of the heavy lifts – the new forklift and the new tractor have both gone ashore.
The weather may be iffy tomorrow (Friday) so we have cancelled any idea of refuel before Saturday, and will see what we get tomorrow.
Many thanks to ship, station and expeditioners for a great start to the visit.
Penguins all seem well since last I visited….
Cheers Don, Simon and Brett.
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.