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Today the Aurora Australis has remained in the wider bay adjacent to Mawson Station, between 10 - 12 nautical miles offshore. The ship has been conducting tests of essential systems required to support our entry into the confined waters around the station before we commence resupply activities.
Although it's been overcast today, with the odd passing snow shower, the views to the ice plateau and the rocky peaks of the nunataks which pierce the ice in several locations have remained largely uninterrupted, presenting many more photographic opportunities to the expeditioners and crew.
The density of wildlife around the vessel also remains high, with a large number of bird species periodically accompanying the ship as it followed a regular circuit along the edge of the sea ice pack. A few Southern giant petrels made very close approaches to the windows of the vessel's bridge at times, allowing expeditioners a brief close up view of these large Antarctic scavengers. When observing their broad, strong bills and 2 metre wingspan it's easy to see why they, and their fellow aerial predators, the Skuas, are unwelcome amongst breeding colonies of penguins and other birds.
Tomorrow we anticipate heading back towards Mawson station, and if the conditions are favourable, the vessel will transfer several of the wintering expeditioners to the station to commence handover with their summer season counterparts. Although we anticipate being in close proximity to the station for another few days to conduct resupply, upon their departure from the Aurora tomorrow, Mawson will become home for the expeditioners for the next 10 to 14 months. With thanks to the Master and crew of the Aurora Australis for having brought the expeditioners safely more than 2,800 nautical miles from Hobart, and on behalf of the AAD's V3 voyage management team, we wish them an enjoyable and inspiring winter in Antarctica at the smallest, most isolated - and the most stunning - of Australia's continental stations.
Cheers & good luck,
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.