Information

Vessel:
Amaltal Explorer
Report (sitrep) ID:
19205
Universal time (UTC):
03:00
Australian time (AEST):
14:00
Position:
69° 30′ S, 176° 48′ E
Heading:
007 degrees
Speed:
9.5 kn
Weather conditions:
Wind East north easterly 15 knots. Swell slight. Overcast with occasional sleet and snow causing restricted visibility
Air temperature:
−1.1 °C
Sea conditions:
light
Sea temperature:
−1.6 °C

Comments

Last night we held a science meeting to agree our plans and priorities for the remainder of the voyage. The general consensus is that we continue to work hard to increase our sample size - i.e. do more of what we have been doing.

The weather continues to be generally favourable, however today we have been a bit frustrated by the visibility which has been restricted in snow and sleet. As I write we have just tracked down another  blue whale which is keeping our success rate from acoustic detection to visual intercept. This is a remarkable outcome which far exceeds expectations. 

Depending on where the whales take us, we have about 5-7 days left in the ice edge area before we head for home. 

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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