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Our sunny days have been interrupted by overcast weather today. Looking out of my porthole I can see a small stretch of blue sky- not sure if this will reach us as a few snow showers are forecast. It is pretty cold for everyone working outside – thankfully the wind is not too strong as the wind chill this creates can make it very cold and unpleasant when exposed to it.
Refuelling was completed around dinner time last night with approximately 950,000 litres of Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) pumped ashore. This fuel is used for heating the station. The fuel hose was rolled up last night and the final stages of packing up is underway and once this is completed another objective of the voyage can be ticked off.
Back loading Return to Australia (RTA) cargo continues with Lower hold 1 full of cargo and half of Lower hold 2. At the forward part of the ship there are three layers of cargo storage space: two lower holds (L1 & L2), on top of those the tween deck and then on top of that the hatch lids. Cargo has also been stowed at the aft of the ship in the helicopter hangar and the helicopter deck. When loading RTA cargo there is a lot of communication between the ship and shore as there is only certain parts of the ship that certain types of cargo can be stowed as well as cargo being different shapes, sizes and weights.
Cheers Leanne and Mick
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.