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Voyage 1 is off and running! Firstly I'd like to say a big "Thank You" to everyone at the AAD who contributed to getting this voyage away. In particular the staff in the Operations section and Supply Services sections.
Both of these areas have done an enormous amount of work in regards to dealing with the changes that have occurred to this voyage, which included the repacking a large volume of cargo that was originally planned to be deployed to Davis by container, but which now has to be deployed ashore via helicopter. Thanks also to the Davis expeditioners onboard with us, a lot of whom spent a fair bit of time at the AADs cargo facility assisting in the re-packing of cargo.
We departed from Selfs Point Hobart this morning for a fantastic run under the Tasman Bridge and down the Derwent River. The weather conditions were perfect which meant most people were up on decks enjoying the spectacular scenery Hobart provides. Even now people are still up and about enjoying the conditions and the gentle roll of the vessel. Aside from enjoying the run down the river, people have been busy setting up their cabins, getting their computers to work, getting to know their fellow passengers and familiarising themselves with the vessel.
We deployed the CPR (Continuous Plankton Recorder) just after 1600hrs this afternoon. The CPR is deployed approximately 100m behind the vessel and we will then tow it for approximately 450nm on each deployment. On this voyage we will be deploying the CPR four times on our transit to Davis. Plankton are caught in the fine silk mesh inside the CPR unit, and then returned to the AAD for study by our scientists. This scientific program has been in place since 1991 and provides sustained fundamental observations on variation in plankton biodiversity, distribution and abundance to detect and assess potential effects of climate change at the base of the food web.
Cheers,
Andrew 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.