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Yesterday evening, expeditioners gathered once again in the D-deck theatre for the final science presentation of the voyage. Our resident krill specialist, Jess, took those gathered further into the intriguing and wonderful world of krill. One surprising fact was the sheer number of new krill born on the AA during this voyage (an estimated 40,000 – great for the imminent replenishment of krill stocks at the division.
Conducting late night stocktaking on E-deck, the voyage leader discovered something new about marine scientists themselves – that being a proclivity for depositing the ship's remaining chocolate supplies in cupboards within arms reach of their instrumentation. Clearly krill midwifery is an energy taxing business.
This morning, performance reviews were concluded, personal protective and emergency equipment returned for processing back at the Division and cabins cleaned. As we speak our deputy and ship's crew are conducting their inspections
This afternoon at lunch the idling rhythm of conversation in the mess was punctuated by the sound of the first text message being gleefully received as the ship fleetingly entered into mobile range for the first time in a month. As hands delved into pockets and mobiles once again became a feature at dining tables, some delighted in news from loved ones ashore as others retired to the sun warmed decks of the ship to catch up on personal admin – the silent spell of the southern ocean now ruptured by modernity.
This afternoon, we will gather for one more quick briefing before trudging our personal belongings up to the heli-hangar, a few last photos of the evening landscape as we sail upriver, and one final meal together before arriving at our berth in Hobart to disembark and say goodbye to one another, and to the ship. By tomorrow, new manifests and cabin allocations will replace our own as she is quickly prepared for V3 to Mawson.
Before leaving the last word to one of life's true characters, our shipmate Orlando, whose ARM team have been working around the clock since departure on the activities detailed below, a few acknowledgments from us.
This has been a happy and productive voyage and has been made so in part by the combined efforts of the work groups in Kingston, the professionalism and good spirits of the team at Casey, the outstanding work of the ship's crew who have given tirelessly to support our resupply and marine science objectives and some very good fortune with the weather and ice conditions. It is also due in large part to the character of our expeditioner team on board who have fulfilled their roles and the needs of the community with great humour, professionalism and care. To them we give our thanks.
To Mark, Fred and the V3 team on the good ship Aurora Australis we wish you all the best and happy sailing, to you at home we say thanks for your kind attention and to the magnificent Southern Ocean we say..
..so long and thanks for all the Krill!
Kind regards,
James and Dave
V2 Voyage Management
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.