Information
Comments
Ahoy Shipmates!
Things aboard the good ship ALMALTAL EXPLORER have settled down with the
usual routines and rhythms of shipboard life beginning to assert themselves.
The team have been practicing and refining procedures, with everyone
developing increased confidence in their roles and responsibilities. Almost
all of the necessary training and preparations for our mission are complete,
with just the process for recovery of our biopsy darts to be confirmed. The
weather remains favourable, with the fair winds and following seas forecast
by the team in the Antarctic Section of the BOM in Hobart.
The ship's crew are busy rebuilding the boat deck - the natural kiwi talent
for getting the job done has come to the fore. These guys just seem to enjoy
building stuff with grinders, welder and steel, so the very basic boat deck
originally built in Nelson now has hand rails, additional decking and all
the mod cons. Toby (the cook) and his team in the galley are turning out
some amazing food, including some spectacular vegetarian fare which has
drawn lots of favorable comments.
For the next few days we will continue our passage south, and based on the
current estimation of the ice edge we should arrive in the survey area in
about six days.
Until tomorrow,
Chris, Margaret, and the VWhales 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.