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After a very busy week of preparations we are underway at last! At 1500
(NZST) yesterday we cast off our lines and departed Nelson for the 2013
Antarctic Blue Whale Voyage. Things aboard the ALMALTAL EXPLORER are
settling into a quiet but busy routine - safety and integration training has
been taking place, with everyone completing their emergency and muster
drills, and the Rigid Inflatable Boat (called the "REMORA") and crews being
put through their paces. The 13 crew members from Talley's/Gardline under
the leadership of John the Master have been bending over backwards to
facilitate our work, and have laid down the foundations for a great voyage.
So far we are kicking goals already. As I write we are currently tracking
our second group of Blue Pygmy Whales, on which we are conducting visual
observations and acoustic tracking and recordings. The science effort is now
up and running and all equipment is tested and has been proved to be working
satisfactorily. It was thought that the ship's coffee machine may have been
defective (aaarrgh - panic!) but the ship's engineers have been working the
problem and we thankfully look to be well along the path to resolution.
With the weather as good as it gets on the west coast of the South Island,
whales in sight (and sound!) and a great forecast (truly "fair winds and
following seas") we are on a dream start to VWHALES 13!
Until tomorrow,
Regards Chris, Margaret, and the blue whale 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.