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The Aurora Australis observed the first of several a 1 hour time-changes overnight in preparation for our arrival at Mawson Station. We're now on 'UTC+10' – or 1 hour behind local Hobart time / Australian Eastern Summer Time (AEST). We'll fall a further 5 hours behind AEST by the time we're at Mawson.
The first leg of the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) was also completed overnight, with the crew assisting the science team aboard to retrieve the first CPR, remove the internal cassette and replace with a new cassette before being redeployed. This process will occur several times as the vessel approaches the ice edge.
A group of expeditioners, mainly comprised of ingoing winterers for Mawson Station, joined the Aurora's Chief Officer this afternoon for an inspection of the vessel's fire-fighting equipment and systems, and undertook a briefing on emergency procedures aboard. The weather and sea conditions to date have been favourable, but the latest forecasts indicate we'll be experiencing increased swell, wave and wind conditions by Saturday.
The first of the voyage's presentations will also be held this evening in the vessel's cinema at 1900, usually lasting between 30 minutes and an hour. Expeditioners and crew are welcome to present upon any topic, with a range of subjects. Past voyage presentations have covered the study of unique plant life on Macquarie Island, working around marine mammals, penguin counting, the study of glaciers as well as many other 'non-polar' subjects such as motorbike tours of the US, becoming a sky-diving instructor and undertaking a well-known pilgrimage walk in Spain.
The voyage management team held their first phone conference with Mawson Station today, discussing weather, personnel movements and science projects which will be supported throughout the resupply period.
Cheers
Mark & Fred
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.