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The Macquarie Island weather has provided a sunny day for us to maximize helicopter cargo transfer both down island to the remaining field huts needing resupply and from ship to shore. The final inbound cargo to station was delivered before lunch today by LARC, this was the frozen and fresh foods the expeditioners will need on station until the next resupply in twelve months time.
LARCS have been operating continuously in the varied conditions of this resupply, engineered as an amphibious truck, operation of the LARCS has been a great success with the capability of the vehicles, drivers and crews well tested in the harsh and constantly variable conditions.
Helicopters continued with RTA cargo sling loading from station to ship this morning and continue sling loading throughout this afternoon. All cargo is now travelling in ONE DIRECTION, from Macquarie Island to the Aurora Australis for RTA.
Preparation of RTA cargo at Macquarie Island in readiness for the ship is a huge task involving all expeditioners on station working for several weeks, when time allows around work programs, preparing the cargo for the resupply. Once prepared it is up to the Beachmaster to coordinate the back loading of cargo to the ship. The Beachmaster role is usually undertaken by an outgoing winter expeditioner with experience of resupply at several stations and great knowledge of how on station and shipboard cargo operations proceed as well.
The crew of the Aurora Australis are working in coordination with the Beachmaster on station to receive the cargo onboard and stow the cargo in one of the many cargo holds onboard the ship. Prior to RTA only cargo operations, the crew were discharging cargo to station and receiving RTA by helicopter and LARC at the same time, all on deck and below in the holds have been very busy.
Field trip parties down island are returning to station on successful program completions and round trip program expeditioners are returning to the ship today and tomorrow. Round trip science and other program cargo is now returning to the ship as the round trip programs are completed.
Winter handovers from outgoing to incoming expeditioners are expected to be mostly complete today, with more outgoing winterer expeditioners heading to the ship and getting one step closer to home this afternoon.
REGARDS: 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.