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Another successful fresh water resupply between ship and shore was completed around 0700 local time (1100 Hobart time / AEST) this morning, with the Aurora's crew and expeditioners working in shifts overnight to see Davis station provided with extra water reserves.
The vessel remained at anchor around 1.5km from Davis overnight, with barge runs ashore occurring every hour or so, accompanied by an IRB to assist in changing out barge crews between shifts, ferrying other passengers between ship and shore, or even just nosing a few ice floes away from the ship's side to prevent any delays to water pumping.
The high wind conditions experienced before our arrival were exchanged for a relatively calm environment off Davis, with average wind speeds even dropping as low as 5 knots for several hours. The calm wind conditions were accompanied by solid snowfall, which brought about a dramatic change to the usually rocky and chocolate-brown Davis coastline within a matter of hours. To counter the reduced visibility sometimes brought by the snow, the barge and IRB crews all had lights turned on, the station placed a utility with a flashing light at the end of the wharf, and the Aurora's officer on watch on the bridge ensured the external decks and navigation lights were lit up brilliantly to assist the watercraft crews in their short transit between the ship and shore whenever passing snow showers fuzzed the view.
Despite temperatures of around -2 degrees, the watercraft teams enjoyed the regular pace of the work and a few were even able to step ashore during rest periods to warm themselves up with a cup of tea or coffee – or observe (from a safe distance) one of Davis' resident elephant seals who'd remained ashore overnight.
By 0730, the operation was large completed and the vessel made arrangements to return the last IRB from station ashore, before lifting the barge aboard, raising the anchor and proceeding once again out to sea. In what's been a day of contrasts – the Aurora is now making her way along steadily towards our next destination – Mawson Station – with a very calm sea and clear horizon. We're still finding ourselves being escorted by the odd giant petrel, and only in the last half hour whales have been sighted in the distance. The crew and expeditioners are taking the opportunity to rest before recommencing briefings and making preparations for our arrival at Mawson Station.
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.