Information

Report (sitrep) ID:
19255
Universal time (UTC):
03:30
Australian time (AEST):
15:30
Position:
64° 53′ S, 77° 2′ E
Heading:
220
Speed:
1.9 kn
Distance in last 24 hours:
75 NM
Weather conditions:
high cloud cover, fresh breeze
Air temperature:
−11.1 °C
Sea conditions:
flat
Sea temperature:
−1.84 °C

Comments

Early afternoon yesterday our progress was stopped due to heavy ice conditions making further travel on our set course risky in terms of getting locked into the ice. We remained stationary whilst the Basler aircraft from Davis completed the ice reconnaissance yesterday afternoon and indicated that ice conditions were easier further east toward 76E longitude. Yesterday evening we changed course to move to this new approach position into Davis but had to travel north initially to avoid heavier ice conditions. Over the last 3 days we have fundamentally moved on a 200Nm radius around Davis seeking leads through the ice without success.

This afternoon it is planned to conduct ice reconnaissance with the helicopters we have on board. This is a well planned operation involving ice pilots from the Aurora Australis in separate helicopters assessing the condition and concentration of the ice floes on the optional routes we have identified into Davis from our present position. We are hoping for some good news.

Despite these setbacks the team of expeditioners on board remain upbeat.

Cheers Tony and Mike

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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