Information

Vessel:
Amaltal Explorer
Report (sitrep) ID:
19179
Universal time (UTC):
03:00
Australian time (AEST):
14:00
Position:
64° 34′ S, 152° 7′ E
Heading:
087 degrees
Speed:
10.7 kn
Distance in last 24 hours:
190 NM
Weather conditions:
Wind - West North Westerly 30 knots, swell south low westerly at 1-2 m. Partly Cloudy.
Air temperature:
−4.2 °C
Sea conditions:
moderate
Sea temperature:
−0.1 °C

Comments

Hi All,

Our change in strategy has not brought us more blue whales, however we are down on the ice edge tracking in an easterly direction. This morning we launched the "Remora" for a two hour session of collecting humpback biopsies; unfortunately this afternoon the wind has increased significantly, ruling out further small boat ops for today.

Overnight we will continue to rack in a generally easterly direction along the ice edge towards the Balleney Is Group, listening out for blue whales as we go. The weather for the next couple of days will be changeable as a number of consecutive fronts and troughs pass through our position. Throughout it all our visual observers are continuing with the their work from their hides on the bridge roof in the sub-zero temperatures.

All is well onboard, with the chocolate supplies holding up very well, so morale remains high.

Until Tomorrow,

Regards Chris, Margaret, and the VWhales Team

Map

180° 170°W 160°W 150°W 140°W 130°W 120°W 110°W 100°W 90°W 80°W 70°W 60°W 50°W 40°W 30°W 20°W 10°W 30°E 40°E 50°E 60°E 70°E 80°E 90°E 100°E 110°E 120°E 130°E 140°E 150°E 160°E 170°E 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0°N 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N Casey Davis Mawson Macquarie Island Heard Island Fremantle Hobart

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.

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