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Refuelling has almost finished! Within the hour we will have completed pumping just under 900,000 litres of fuel into the station in just on 28 hours. Throughout the operation there have been three Inflatable Rubber Boats (IRBs) on the water, each with three people in them to protect the floating 3” fuel line, which is 1.8km long, strung between the ship and the shore.
Cargo has proceeded apace, and we are now into the lower holds, with only another days worth of cargo to unload. Tomorrow will be our big day of “Return to Australia” cargo, which, with the exception of the outgoing expeditioner’s personal effects comprises mostly of rubbish and other station waste for disposal in Australia. Other items returning include machinery being returned for upgrade, repair or replacement, and a small amount of scientific samples.
Tonight is station handover night, so work will conclude a little early to allow as many people as possible to spend some time with the outgoing 2012 winter team as they spent their last night on the continent. Tomorrow all of the outgoing personnel will move aboard the ship in preparation for our departure…not sure when, but hopefully early next week (if the weather holds out).
Until tomorrow,
Regards Chris, Leanne, and the V2 Team
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.