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We dropped the pick last night in Port Ross, amongst the Auckland Islands, in order to be in a position to provide assistance as required to the Janas as she finalised her engine repairs. By about 1800 the wind started to pick up from the West and continued to blow a solid 40knt all night and into the morning. This didn't bode well for the sea conditions outside the relative protection of the islands.
We had planned to launch the FRC in the morning to go to Janas to return some charts they had lent us and pick-up some new charts brought down by the vessel sent to support the Janas, the Galeos. With the high winds blowing the offer from the Galeos to come to us was gladly accepted.
With some skillfull boat handling she came alongside and an equally skillfull exchange of charts took place. Also included was a CD of images taken from the Janas of the Aurora during the tow. The Janas crew also appreciated the little sea shanty that Chris the LARCky had composed and recorded to CD for them, which was sent over yesterday with their towing gear. We're still waiting to hear it!
While the transfer was happening the Janas recovered her anchors, yes two anchors out last night due to the wind, and proceeded to sea to do her final checks. All looked good from an engineering perspective and she is due to set to sea once more to fish for Patagonian Toothfish. The breakdown occurred pretty early on in their three month trip so they won't be back in port for a couple off months yet. To the Janas crew fair winds and following sea! For us its blowing winds and a beamy 4-5 metre sea!
After exchanging good byes to the biggest CPR we have ever towed we began our lumpy trip to Dunedin to do a quick drop off of passengers, cargo and replenish some stores. The whales were back and breaching all around us as they were probably glad to see one less ship in the middle of their lounge room. It was interesting to note that late in the afternoon they all seemed to vanish from Port Ross and then began to appear again as we were leaving this morning. Maybe they went out to feed during the night and returned to play during the day. I'm sure Sarah can provide an answer to that one. Anyway well worth a visit if you ever have to pick up a vessel in the middle of the Southern Ocean and have to tow it somewhere.
With the ship taking a bit of a pounding at the moment, which is due to continue all night, we are all looking forward to some stable land in Dunedin tomorrow.
You can stop reading here if you aren't interested in the dessert ramblings:
Break in transmission due to non-provision of homemade dessert, see you tomorrow! Fresh fruit salad was pretty good though, especially with crunchie ice cream and berry sauce.......apparently
Navy term of the day:
Step - term for going ashore i.e. Something Andy won't be doing until he washes those 1546 brew mugs he's left lying around the ship!
Regards
Rob and Andy
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.